The past week or so has been good for fans of The Hobbit. First, we got a sneak peek at the new trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
Last week also marked the release of a new, fancy, illustrated version of Tolkien’s beloved classic. And we’re giving away three free copies, thanks to the publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. [See below for details on how to enter the contest.]
Jemima Catlin, a freelance illustrator from Dorchester, England, has provided charming, full-color artwork for this new edition of The Hobbit which, according to the publisherr “is the first new illustrated edition since Alan Lee’s iconic illustrations appeared in 1997.”
The new hardcover has a sturdy, green cloth binding. Dozens of Catlin’s pencil, ink and watercolor works are featured throughout.
Sometimes, as in the larger Smaug painting, below, the illustrations engulf an entire page.
But as you’ll see in the highlights below, more often than not, “spot” illustrations are cleverly inserted in and around the text, which I think will keep young readers excited to keep turning the pages.
We’re giving away three copies of this new The Hobbit. Three winners will be randomly selected from all entries.
Please sign up below before Thursday, October 10 to be considered for the contest. May the best (and most random) hobbit win.
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Oh I love this edition! I will never not think of the animated Hobbit movie from 1977 (The music was amazing… o_o) This kind of puts me in that frame. I’ll have to get my paws on it when my littles are interested in reading the Hobbit for the first time. Thanks for the post.
Ethan and I are going to do a Dork-off tonight for our website http://www.dungeonsanddorkwads.com all about The Hobbit, this new edition, and even the Rankin and Bass 1977 animated film that you mentioned! Here’s the song Down, Down to Goblin Town. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogTDa-vG2MQ
Fantastic illustrations!
I’d love a copy! This was MY childhood bedtime story book my mom used to read me & there was definitely no pictures to accompany it, but that’s where our combined imaginations came to play, it’s a treasured memory I have of being a young kid with my mom 🙂
Just started reading the Hobbit with my 6 yo. I’d love a copy of the illustrated version to extend his attention span, while still leaving plenty to the imagination.
A very beautiful copy of my husband’s favourite book! I would love to be able to give this to him to add to his Tolkien collection 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
Out of all the amazing LOTR illustrations I’m so surprised these are the ones that made it. They are so cutesy and childish. Hugely disappointed. Although, Smaug’s picture is great.
Would love to read this version with my kids!
I can’t wait to introduce my daughter to the Hobbit!