Brian Selznick
A Hufflepuff’s Journey into the Wizarding World
Brian Selznick's relationship with Harry Potter began not as an artist but as a reader and admirer. As a former independent bookseller, he had witnessed the phenomenon firsthand: midnight release parties, the electric energy of fans waiting for the next installment, and the tidal wave of enthusiasm that brought children’s literature into a new golden age. However, it wasn’t until 2015—nearly two decades after the series began—that he finally read the books himself. The experience transformed him. He fell “hard” for the series, cried when Dobby died, and proudly identified as a Hufflepuff.
His love for the books would soon become the foundation of one of the most ambitious illustration projects in the history of the series: designing a cohesive set of covers for the 20th anniversary U.S. edition of the Harry Potter series, published by Scholastic.
A Halloween Invitation
Fittingly, Selznick's entrance into the Wizarding World happened on one of the series’ most iconic days: Halloween. On October 31, 2017, he received a mysterious email from Scholastic asking him to call them about something “important.” That call led to a creative challenge of immense scope and pressure—but also, immense joy. Selznick was tasked with reimagining the covers of all seven books in a way that would honor the original story while offering a completely new visual experience.
Immediately, he saw a vision: all seven covers forming a single, unified panoramic image—Harry’s journey from infancy to adulthood rendered in a sweeping, interconnected design.
The Snake and the Storyline
Selznick’s first sketches for the project featured swirling lines to connect the individual covers. But soon, he realized the lines resembled something serpentine. The snake—symbol of Slytherin House and the embodiment of Voldemort’s evil through Nagini—became the thread that would weave through all seven covers. Appearing in different forms across each image, it would finally reveal its head on the last cover, defeated. This decision gave the artwork an underlying visual narrative: the constant presence of evil and its eventual demise.
The motif not only unified the imagery but also offered a fresh perspective on the theme of good versus evil—essential to the Harry Potter saga.
The Challenge of Cohesion
The scope of the project required a delicate balance. Each of the seven covers had to work independently but also align perfectly when placed side by side. This demanded countless hours of sketching, revising, and careful composition.
Selznick was given just two weeks to submit initial sketches, which were quickly approved. He then spent months refining the final artwork, submitting it on the deadline: March 1, 2018. Creating continuity between the covers while maintaining distinctiveness was both a challenge and a triumph. The results reflect his meticulous effort: a singular, epic image unfolding over seven installments.
Black and White with Hidden Color
One of the most striking elements of Selznick’s covers is their black-and-white aesthetic, a notable departure from the colorful covers of previous editions. This minimalist palette heightens the sense of drama and allows the fine details—of which there are many—to shine. The absence of color invites the viewer to look closer, to study the lines, to linger.
This approach, Selznick explained, was deeply intentional. It added a layer of mystery and emphasized mood over spectacle. It also reinforced the timeless quality of the books, reflecting the emotional and moral complexities of the series.
Inspiration from the Text, Not the Films
While many illustrators of Harry Potter have had to reckon with the iconic visuals of the film adaptations, Selznick made a deliberate effort to avoid them. He found permission to do so in Kazu Kibuishi’s 15th anniversary covers, which boldly reimagined the series and proved that other visions were possible.
Selznick returned to the text, relying solely on J.K. Rowling’s words for inspiration. His commitment to honoring the original storytelling rather than replicating the cinematic interpretations freed him to explore new visual interpretations and offer readers a fresh take.
Crafting Character Through Detail
Selznick’s approach to characters blended reverence with reinvention. Each cover included Easter eggs and subtle artistic choices. Harry’s glasses, for example, were inspired by a pair Selznick wore when he appeared as an extra in the film adaptation of his own book, Wonderstruck. Drawing them accurately from various angles proved unexpectedly difficult—just one of the many technical challenges he faced.
Each book offered unique visual opportunities. Aragog, from Chamber of Secrets, was inspired by a sculpture by Louise Bourgeois. Dementors in Prisoner of Azkaban recalled the funerary statues from Martin Scorsese’s film Hugo, which Selznick had worked on. For Goblet of Fire, he modeled Fleur Delacour after the glamorous actress Veronica Lake. In Order of the Phoenix, Dolores Umbridge’s sinister aura came to life thanks to an unusual model: Selznick’s own husband.
In Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore’s face was based on Michelangelo’s sculpture of Moses, evoking a classical sense of wisdom and gravity. And in the final volume, Deathly Hallows, Selznick drew Harry and Voldemort in their climactic confrontation while listening to the audiobook—reaching the Battle of Hogwarts precisely as he illustrated the scene.
Bringing it Home: A Tribute to Legacy
Selznick’s Harry Potter covers are more than illustrations; they are tributes—both to the books and to the readers who love them. Scholastic’s Arthur Levine praised Selznick’s work for helping readers see the characters “as if we’re just meeting them.” For Selznick himself, the process was deeply personal and emotional.
He sought to create a work of art that invited both new readers and longtime fans to rediscover the magic. And he succeeded—producing a unified, eloquent, and moving portrait of one of literature’s most beloved stories.
As a proud Hufflepuff, Selznick approached the project with empathy, loyalty, and dedication. He faced the responsibility with humility but embraced the joy of storytelling through illustration. The result is a visual love letter to a world that shaped readers’ lives across generations.
The Covers in Focus
Each of the seven covers holds distinct moments and symbols:
Philosopher’s Stone: Features iconic imagery like Harry’s glasses and lightning scar, filled with symbolic patterns.
Chamber of Secrets: Aragog looms large, a nod to Bourgeois’ eerie, maternal sculptures.
Prisoner of Azkaban: Dementors inspired by gothic graveyard sculptures dominate the scene.
Goblet of Fire: The Triwizard Tournament’s maze and cloaks with uncountable buttons—deliberately ambiguous.
Order of the Phoenix: Umbridge’s presence is haunting, based on Selznick’s personal life.
Half-Blood Prince: Classical influences shape Dumbledore’s visage.
Deathly Hallows: The Hogwarts Express departs once more, symbolizing continuity and hope for the next generation.
A Living Legacy
Brian Selznick’s contribution to the Harry Potter universe is more than artistic—it’s emotional, symbolic, and enduring. His covers remind us of the journey we’ve taken with Harry, of the people and places we’ve loved, and of the power of reinvention within a timeless tale. They are invitations—to revisit, to reflect, and to rediscover the magic.