Bloomsbury & Scholastic Cover Illustrations for OotP

Greetings,

I was just wondering whether anyone knew who is doing the illustration for the Bloomsbury edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? We've had three different artists thus far, with Thomas Taylor drawing the illustration for PS, Cliff Wright for CoS and PoA and Giles Greenfield illustrating GoF.

Personally, I liked Greenfield's work the best, however, I doubt my opinion will count for much when it comes to selecting the artist.

Does anyone know? Anyone care to speculate?

I haven't any idea. I don't think the illustrator will be decided until the manuscript is submitted. It may be someone entirely different this time around. I hope they use Greenfield again, I too liked his artwork best.

I thought Marie GrandPre (I think that's her name) did all the illustrations?

In the American editions. The British editions have a different illustrator.

Marie GrandPre only illustrates the American editions.

I like the guy who did book four. The guy who did books 2 and 3... there wasn't anything there for me... same with the book 1 guy...

I thought Cliff Wright made Harry look like a chinless badger. He looked very plump on both the CoS cover and the PoA cover.

Originally posted by rotsiepots
I thought Cliff Wright made Harry look like a chinless badger. He looked very plump on both the CoS cover and the PoA cover.
Man that is funny.

I don't picture Harry to look the way they drew him. It is too bad that Mervyn Peake is dead and could not do the illustrations.

Who draws the pictures for the british edition. Is it JK Rowling herself. I heard it was her, but I forgotten if it was true or not!!!

Originally posted by Springy
Who draws the pictures for the british edition. Is it JK Rowling herself. I heard it was her, but I forgotten if it was true or not!!!

She's drawn SOME pictures of the characters and the Sorting Hat and all that, but I'm not sure if they're in the books. Here in Canada, we seem to have pretty much the same books as the UK does, (other than the media blurbs on the back, which are different because they're from Canadian magazines and newspapers), and none of her illustrations are in them.

I like Greenfield's cover best also. It seemed to have more personality to it, somehow.

They probably haven't select the artist, but as for actual cover desings...The have to wait for the Manuscript. Unless we want an extreem close up of Harry's face with a large zit on top of his scar.

I don't know who will do it, but hopefully it'll be up to the usual colorful and good standards that they always are. Does JK have a say in what the covers should look like? I assume she does.

I personally like Mary GrandPre's artwork. She does a good job...well I've never really seen any other editions of the HP books, but I like her art nonetheless =P I particularly like the one from the cover of GoF, its my fave.

And why does there need to be all this different editions stuff. Why can't it be the same everywhere?

Ok somethin random that I feel the need to share (inspired by what I just said about different editions): I was just cleaning my kitchen and there were these adaptor plug things on the counter, and I asked my mom what they were and she said that they were adaptor plugs from when my dad went to Germany. That really surprised me. I didn't know everyone had different plugs, lol. Seems kinda stupid, really. I mean, a plugs a plug right?

...Edit...
Ha! NOW I know why Mr. Weasley collects plugs! There's all different kinds....woooaahhh....

My favorite cover was American #4, but I also really like the covers of books 1 and 3 that I picked up in Canada. They have the English covers. :)

:) I like the GoF cover best... ;)

I agree that the British GOF had an excellent cover indeeed. However, my fav is the American one as it shows Cedric, Fleur, and Krum on it. :)

With the exciting news we received today on the publication date of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I thought I might try and bump this thread back into some activity.

Mission accomplished, I suppose. :whistle:

*bump*

I thought the illustrator's for POA and GOF were the best. I loved Wright's back cover for POA, with Lupin in werewolf style. Greenfield did an excellent job on the dragon for GOF.
I didn't like Taylor for his "comic" like for the cover of PS.

But that's just the Australia front cover- as I believe the same as the British cover...I think.

I don't anyone quite knows who exactly the illustator of OOTP will be.

I loved the GoF cover the best...

They should hold a competition... draw your a cover and the best one is printed on a run of 100 limited edition books...

Better get those sketches out- but the thing is you have to know what the story is about first...

Good point...

My cover would be a couple of stick figures and a pheonix... I can't draw at all... my comment on my report from my art teacher was "Has a lot of potential if she could figure out how to hold a paintbrush"...

lol...but that's evil!!

I can't draw either...when i draw, it's abstract, no one's gonna use that for a cover for a bestseller.

Have you ever looked at some book covers? One I saw would give someone an epileptic fit!

I saw it at the bookshop ages ago... i'll try and find it, buy it, scan it and return it.

Well, if it causes too much trouble, don't deal with it :D
Don't want a person to use money for something that's not necessary.

I don't remember anything about the book except for its cover... I didn't even read the blurb which is unusual for me!

:p

Ok, I like the English cover best, but the Dutch ones are also done well (very adult like IMHO).

Visit us again soon for an exclusive preview of Bloomsbury's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix book jacket.


I'm guessing somewhere in febuary we will know how the cover looks like and by whom it's made...

I must admit, the American covers do make me feel queasy as they are very cheesy. I can't think of the word to describe them but the images are fat. But not in an overwight way, they are just too anime/Morph

OOoh how cool would it be if we could have a CoS contest to do the cover for OotP?

As for the real cover, I can't wait to see it.

before looking ata site a few days ago, i hadnt realized there were different covers for *** different countries. but i must defend the American covers - i really like them, they have all different aspects of the book in it and as you read, you realize what each little part means - i think it adds to the book in a way. The UK covers are a bit, well, cartoon-ish. no offense to anyone who likes them, its just my opinion ;)

I love the American illustrations, better than the others that I've seen. I'm looking forward to seeing the illustration for the new book!

I know bloomsbury is going to post the UK illustrations, but I'm not sure about scholastic. I hope they do.

Why bother, the most time you stare into the books, not on them... :smile:

Exactly, but you can get an idea from the cover. In the PS book, UK edition, there were two publishing companies. Both covers had the same front part. But the back was different. The Bloomsbury one had Dumbledore. The other had Nicholas Flamel.

I have only seen pictures of the US covers and i feel that they are too busy. The UK covers are simple and you know from the look its a HP book.

Although, I started to wonder today, what colour will the bit be where they have the title on the UK covers? We've had red twice (PS/GoF), blue (CoS) and purple (PoA)... I think yellow...

I remember visiting a site where they were showing some OOTP cover possiblities. But I can't exactly remember the site.

Originally posted by dumbleedore
Although, I started to wonder today, what colour will the bit be where they have the title on the UK covers? We've had red twice (PS/GoF), blue (CoS) and purple (PoA)... I think yellow...

Yellow is a good colour for the spine.

Originally posted by Sirius Black
Exactly, but you can get an idea from the cover. In the PS book, UK edition, there were two publishing companies. Both covers had the same front part. But the back was different. The Bloomsbury one had Dumbledore. The other had Nicholas Flamel.

Erm, Bloomsbury is the only company publishing the Harry Potter books in the UK. It would be illegal for anyone else to do so.

They did release two different versions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The "original" has a picture of, who I assumed to be, Quirrell on the back, whilst the "special edition" has a picture of Dumbledore.

Is this what you're thinking of?

Oh, maybe that's the one. But I thought that was Nicholas Flamel. He's not wearing a turban, I mean.(I think)

Originally posted by dumbleedore
Although, I started to wonder today, what colour will the bit be where they have the title on the UK covers? We've had red twice (PS/GoF), blue (CoS) and purple (PoA)... I think yellow...

PS was more maroon than red, though. ;)

Erm, there's quite a spectrum of colours the publishers could pick from. It might be interesting for them to depart from the traditional vibrant colours they've selected thus far and choose black, grey or white.

Just a thought.

P.S. If black, grey or white don't work, I'm sure yellow will look lovely.

Yellow would look good.
Are the covers in Australia the same as the ones in the UK?

Yes they are.

ok. i like PoA and GoF best.

The Bloomsbury cover illustrations for the Harry Potter series are the same the world over. Thus the Australian covers are the same as the British covers etc.

well why are people saying there are different covers? i have seen different covers too.

There's adult versions and also Special Edition ones to.

oh ok

mystically_mad and go_anna40:
here in america, scholastic owns the rights to sell HP, so they have different covers than any of the UK ones... in most countries, however, you can buy the bloomsbury covers

Yeah, I knew that, the covers are different all over the world.

thanks doc, i thought so because i have seen different covers on the net.

Yeah, they would have been the US ones.

I like the Bloomsbury ones better though. I just hope they use the book 4 artist again.

hey dumblee, long time no see.

book four was more realistic i think

I know... how are you? Sorry... shouldn't do this anymore...

Book 1 was... there was something I didn't like.

Book 2 & 3 the guy made Harry look very fat. Although, I do like the back cover one on PoA, with either Sirius as the dog or Lupin as the Werewolf. It's a great drawing.

But book 4 was easily the best.

Here that Bloomsbury... we want Giles Greenfield!!!

Shouldnt do what?

Book 1 just looked too cartoon-y and silly.

I hate yellow. It wouldn't look good for the word colour. I think there might be golden. Because it's a phoneix after all. It's got red and golden. But since red's been used almost twice, than I think it'll be golden.

I think the yellow was meant for the spine of the books, not the title.

But the spine is always the same colour as the title isn't it?

I dunno, I havent looked that hard at the outside of the books.

The colour of the spine is usually in a block at the top with the title of the book.

For example...

http://www.mugglenet.com/images/bookcoverpics/uk2.jpg

So I think yellow with red writing would look good... it could have a little red writing hood (sorry... I couldn't resist!)

lol...

I think the spine would be a yellow/golden colour and read writing.

But what would be on the actual frontcover?

No idea and I'm not even going to guess because we don't know enough about the plot.

The most obvious one would be a phoenix I guess.

There's usually three colours at the spine. I've noticed. I hope there isn't yellow though. Just don't like it. Anyways, don't really mind it.

There is 3 colours! lol! I have the spine of GoF facing me and I never noticed! lol!

go_anna40, I think the pheonix is too obvious. They'll go for something that will make you want to read the book. Book2, you'd see the cover and want to know why a car is flying. Book3 you'd see the cover and want to know what the creature is. Book4 you'd see the cover and want to know what's happening with the dragon. So it's bound to be something like that.

(note: I didn't mention book 1 because I hate that cover)

So, lets start thinking of exciting things that could happen...

Maybe Harry and Voldemort? Or Harry, Sirius and Wormtail? Or Harry doing something?

I doubt that it'll be Voldermort, though it would be interesting though.

It's more likely to be Harry doing something.

Sorry if im breaking any rules but

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/uk/newsid_2867000/2867757.stm

Adult and Childrens covers for OotP (UK)

Here's the children's cover.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38984000/jpg/_38984031_kidscover150.jpg

Here's the adult cover.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38984000/jpg/_38984033_adultscover150.jpg

Hope you enjoy the pics.

Those are pretty cool. I think I prefer the adults one. Thank you for posting them.

@-'-,------------

These are the Bloomsbury covers. For the Scholastic cover, go to the website mentioned above. (sorry I don't master this confounded machine enough to add that to this reply)

Ok here's the American Cover (Sorry I forgot it before):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38984000/jpg/_38984309_usversion150.jpg

Well, dang, they don't give us much in the way of plot hints, do they? :grumble:

No, Inkwolf, they don't. It was stated in the BBC site that they didn't allow the artist to read the manuscript.

Yeah, it appears that the secrecy has remarkably increased since GoF. I really didn't think that was possible, at least it means no spoilers which is also a good thing.

Am I the only one who is not impressed by any of the three covers? The UK kids one look like any drawing submitted in various contests, the US one looks like it's been ripped off any other children's mysteries serie and it doesn't fit with the other four prevous covers IMO.

Well the American one is the only American cover that I've actually liked, although I hate the font that they use. The UK version is too bright and has only one colour which is disappointing and I like the Adults version for the UK.

Well, although the British versions certainly don't give any clues (which makes sense as the artist didn't read the book), the American cover gives us at least one clue. We know that Mary Grandpre must have read the book as she has to do the chapter drawings. So what's the deal with this room of doors?!

ooh, seeing the cover art makes me want to see inside all the more!

ACCIO The Order of the Pheonix !!!

I really like the new American cover for the book. My first thought was that the color scheme doesn't really match the first 4 books, but I'm really liking the blue and grey colors that are going on. I've never been taken with the British versions, kiddie or adult, possibly because I'm so used to the American versions.

For the American version, do you think the artwork will wrap around to the backside of the book, like it has with the others? That might be where the plot hints are.. There aren't any pictures of the back of the book, are there?

Originally posted by symplet (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=221841#post221841))
Am I the only one who is not impressed by any of the three covers? The UK kids one look like any drawing submitted in various contests, the US one looks like it's been ripped off any other children's mysteries serie and it doesn't fit with the other four prevous covers IMO.
:tu:

No, you're not the only one. I'm actually more impressed by that cover drawn by the littler girl for the contest. The one with Harry and the phoenix... The one drawn by Maija, age 16

The blue american version shows Harry with doors behind him and candles all around. Any ideas as to what that would mean? Also the doors appear to have something written on them, maybe im just seeing things. I know that the person who draws these hasen't read the book. But didnt it say that J.K came up with something she would like?

EDIT: It looks to me that the door on the left says "old" on it, maybe im just stretching.

I rather like the childrens cover, but then again I am a child.
They don't give us much clues at all!

Gah! I'm having a patience break down!

It's not fair, the Mary Grandpre artwork is by far superior. I still like the Bloomsbury covers, though. I think the adult edition looks more ornate and stylish, but I'll probably end up getting the yellow one.

Actually, the image on the adult cover is weird. It appears to be a statue of a phoenix in a huge domed hall.

Or a statue of a Phoenix in the middle of a fire?

The fire looks like foreground decoration to me...?

I peronally think that the American cover is excellent. It however is not meant to fit with the other covers as some people think it should. If you remember Mary Grand Pre said herself that the art style will be changing. It began with Goblet of Fire which changed from the bright red and blue hues of the first three covers to a more subdued green and gold scheme that reflected the changing mood of the books. The dark and mysterious blue and gray asthetic of the Order of the Phoenix cover fits well in the darker progression of the plotlines. It shows that the transition into darker and more adult themes has taken place. Remember, the title of Chapter 37 of Goblet of Fire: The Begining. An new era has begun for Harry and his friends and allies and I believe that the new American Order of the Phoenix cover reflects that change perfectly.

The Bloomsbury adult version is really great :) But I like neither of the two others though.

Originally posted by joelaughing (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=221950#post221950))
The blue american version shows Harry with doors behind him and candles all around. Any ideas as to what that would mean?

It reminds me of the Great Hall... Especially with the candles and stuff, remember in the first movie (or the first book, I can't remember) where there were candles floatin'?

Could it be the Great Hall? It certainly looks grand enough...

If it is the Great Hall, it seems to be abandoned and dark. I'm hoping there's more pictures on *** back and inside flaps of the American version, also. The UK adult's version is nice, too.

I really dont know what it looks like, but I agree with Meg that the Great Hall looks really dark there.
I really don't like the cover. It doesn't have many details, I can understand why. With all the hype for this book she didn't want the illustrators to give away too much information on the books.
This is such a teaser!:banghead:

It could be the Great Hall at night... I think that's why it's dark and stuff. We haven't seen a great big empty dining area when it's midnight (except in the PoA, but not ALONE)

Originally posted by Cat (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=221969#post221969))

Actually, the image on the adult cover is weird. It appears to be a statue of a phoenix in a huge domed hall.


Yes, and don't take this the wrong way, but it reminds me of Nazi Germany for some reason... not Harry Potterish at all. :grumble:

I only have the 4 box set of the Harry Potter Books (American editions) so I guess book 5 will stand out a bit on my bookshelf. It is different.

This (http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/images/2003/03/HarryPotterPhoenixAmerican.jpg) is a much more bigger cover of the american version.

I don't remember anything about those kind of doors in the Great Hall. Just the big double door in the back. (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). I think this might be a room in Hogwarts that we have not seen yet, and that those doors represent a choice that Harry is going to have to make. I don't know what the candles are for, except that they add more of an air of mystery to the whole picture. I'd love to see a fan-fic based on the cover . . .

With the HUGE close up of the cover, it appears to be much smaller that the Great Hall... what's an eerie room in Hogwarts? The dungeons maybe?

Note that the direction on the flames of the candles change, as if there was like a vortex or something.

There are heaps of ideas on The Leaky Cauldron Comments.

Originally posted by Starseyer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222039#post222039))
I don't know what the candles are for, except that they add more of an air of mystery to the whole picture.


Especially since every single candle is flickering. As though somebody just opened a door :D

Ok, the covers are for JK to try to give us clues! Remember on the US book four cover it showed things that happened in the book? Well, in the OotP US book cover, it looks like Harry's in Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom with candles lit- remember how it's superstition that when people "contact the spirit world" they light candles? maybe that's why they're there- because Harry has to study death in closer ways. :) We shouldn't complain about the covers, because JK agrees with them, so we should too!

ooh sweet ive been waiting to see these!! finally an American cover i really like...well PoA wasnt bad. But it really makes it seem that the books are getting more serious. I bet that's the room JKR said was the special room! ooh I can't wait to read it!!!

But how can they give us clues if the Artist wasn't allowed to read it (IT being the OoTP)?:huh:

JK can tell them what she'd like to see on the cover, not necisarily telling them what it is. She could have told the artist to draw a room with many doors or something, but she didn't tell them what the room was... I dunno, who did the artist draw what the other books have inside without reading them first?

They do read them first, don't they? I don't know, I've only met one cover illustrator before, for a different set of books (I went to Josh Kirby's house once :D ), and he was given the manuscripts in advance, for the cover illustrations.

But I like them all. I'll be getting two copies, any way (otherwise me and Cat will be at each other's throats), so I might get one copy of the children's edition and one of the adults, for variation. The US copy looks great too. I'm more keen to see the German covers though, if Sabine Wilharm is still providing the artwork!

Yeah, I believe that previously they did read them before illustrating the covers. There wasn't so much secrecy with the first four books as there is with this. But this time 'round, BBC says that:

The contents of the book are so secret that even the artist, illustrator Jason Cockcroft, wasn't allowed to read it before drawing the cover. Instead J. K. Rowling and her editor at Bloomsbury, Emma Matthewson, came up with the idea and then told the artist the kind of image they wanted them to create.

I think the covers are great. I especially like Mary Grandpré's cover, though I haven't a clue what it's supposed to be. I was mildly disappointed when I first saw it (I expected to find the normal collage with its clues), but I like the mystery of it. I'm also happy to see that it is blue. :D The English childrens' cover is really nice, too.

I like the American version. Harry looks like he's finally grown a little. Here's a run down of the picture's features that I see:

- Harry. Nothing particularly suggestive about him. He looks a bit older, but that's about it. Has his wand out. He is pictured alone, which we haven't seen since the first book.
- Room with Three Doors. Could represent three choices that will face Harry, but that's just speculation. It could be the important room that JKR mentioned, but I can't remember any room Harry has been in where three doors were mentioned in particular. The room looks round. Gryffindor tower? Almost looks like there are figures behind the doors (dementors?) but it's probably just the shading.
- Candles. They're obviously airborne and flying circles around Harry (based on the way the flames are on sideways). What some people are seeing as writing on the doors I think are actually just flying candles. They look somewhat ghostly in appearance, though the whole picture does as well. Can't tell if Harry is making them fly around, or if he is, why.
- Title. Font for "The Order of the Pheonix" is a bit odd. "Harry Potter" same as always.

The cover doesn't let on much at all. Certainly not as much as previous covers. Particular aspects will undoubtedly become clearer after reading the book.

You sort of missed one!!! I think the top of the ceiling looks circular!!!! I mean...how many circular places are there? Also, why would it be written in smoke? It looks to me like Harry is going to be attacked by something coming out of the doors!!!

Originally posted by Kneazle (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222109#post222109))
I think the covers are great. I especially like Mary Grandpré's cover, though I haven't a clue what it's supposed to be. I was mildly disappointed when I first saw it (I expected to find the normal collage with its clues), but I like the mystery of it. I'm also happy to see that it is blue. :D The English childrens' cover is really nice, too.


I was rather surprised when I saw the Scholastic cover also; Mary Grandpre usually loads them with pictures and information about various events, this one seemed a bit bare. One of my first thoughts was, actually, "That's a bit generic."

Now that I've had the opportunity to examine the cover further, I actually really like it. Out of all the American covers so far, it's probably my favourite.

In terms of the Bloomsbury cover, this, I'm afraid, is very generic -- no surprises at all on my behalf (a phoenix...who would have guessed). Perhaps there is more detail to the picture, but it's lost because Bloomsbury has only released a small image?

I know I sound remarkably negative, but I really like both covers. This has got my itching for June 21...:D

I thought Marie GrandPre always read the manuscripts, even this time. Otherwise, how would she know what to put for the Chapter Pictures? It doess't seem to fit that JKR told her how she wanted all 30 plus pics to look.

It would not make any sense if they didn't let Mary Grandpre read the book before she did the coverart but let her read it for the chapter pictures. They have said explicitly that the UK "artist" was not allowed to read the book, but they have made no such announcement about Mary Grandpre. Furthermore, in an old interview she admits that she will read the book before she illustrates it:

Q -do you have to read the fiftth book before ilustrate? are you going to read the book 5 soon?

Mary GrandPre- Yes, I have to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before I illustrate it. As for when I will read it, I really can't say.


Yes there is the chance that they eventually did not let her read it, but I still say that would make no sense.

Well the first thing I noticed was how serious Harry looks. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that this is the first cover on which he's not smiling.He also looks quite a bit older.

I guess I like the American one, since I am US, but it isn't what I was expecting. Harry looks so much older!!! It has a lot less stuff than the GoF cover!!

He does look older but, hey he is 15 in this one.;)
I think the multiple doors represent the choices they will all have to make. Especially Harry. I think all three covers look great.

Originally posted by Knight (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222115#post222115))

- Title. Font for "The Order of the Pheonix" is a bit odd.

I believe the writing is meant to resemble coiling smoke. I think it looks really good!

I love the cover of the Adult version, I am glad I have that ordered. I am gonna try to pick up a US copy because I probably won't get the book in the mail till monday. The adult book is by far my favorite. For the first time, the american cover is my favorite of the kids versions. The UK kids book is too much of one color. Also the US version has more depth and gives at least a little clue to the book contents. I like the adult version best though because it looks sharp.

The American cover looks like a small room to me. I agree that the air seems to be swirling in circles like a vortex of sorts. The candle flame in the foreground are pointing one way, but the ones in the background are pointing the opposite way. My initial impression is that those are open windows and not doors. They don't look wide enough to be doors to me.

Seeing these covers is gonna make the next 93 days that much harder!!!

A couple other things to notice:

-All the foreground candles are blowing to the left, while background candles are blowing to the right - this implies a circular wind. You can see this in the edges of his sleeve as well; there is a strong wind in this room.

-There appear to be more candles inside the three open doors

-It is not clear if there are only three doors in this room - the shading at the edges is such that there could be more doors

-Harry is looking at something over his shoulder - perhaps he has heard something/someone behind him? He also appears to be looking slightly upward.

-There are some details behind the lettering which suggest rafters w/ round edges, definately a round room in case you weren't already convinced

-It is possible that this is only due to perspective, but it appears that none of the doors has a knob. In fact- could these actually be shuttered windows?

Just so everyone knows, Dumbledore's office is described as "a large and beautiful circular room, full of funny little noises." There are also, apparently, quite a few windows in this room, so san orbis' hypothesis about the "doors" actually being windows could be correct.

So far the american cover's clues have been real, not symbolic (i.e. things in the cover are things we acutally see in the book). So, if they held true to that there will be an actual door scene.

Ok does everyone remember what J.K Rowling said, that Harry will uncover a new area physically? Couldn't this be that place? I mean it looks pretty freaky to me and I dont think JKR has described any room like this in books 1-4. If this is that secret room, it could be the biggest clue cover of the whole series!! Just a thought.:??: :clappy:

Good points San Orbis. At first I thought that the other candles were simply reflections off of the glass, but I now see that you can see candles both through the glass and through the open part of the doors/windows. I also feel that they are windows. I have the impression that this is a round room with a very high ceiling. On the left side of the cover, it looks almost to me that there is shading that shows the corner of another window.

I am not quite sure what this room is. It seems like maybe this is a room of windows/doors. Just using my imagination, I keep thinking that this room could be some form of wizard transportation that we have not yet heard of if they are doors. If they are windows then maybe it is a way of seeing other places. This is just a wild guess though and I probably should not have even submitted it.

I'm also agree that the "doors" are, in fact, windows. That, for one, would explain the wind. I'm still standing by my hypothesis that Harry is standing in Dumbledore's office, though.

Time will only tell if we're right, I suppose. :D

I really like the American cover! I like how Harry is by himself on it, and the doors seem to represent how he's going to have to make choices.

I have a question? Why are there children's and adult book covers for Britain? I've never understood that. Are all books like that in Britain?

weren't there pictures of former headmasters all over the walls though? I know that it could be the perspective, but I get the impression that the room is quite small.

I love Mary Grandpre's cover...just love it. The blue tones are nice, and the overall composition is wonderful. Much better than the previous books. I wonder -- what is Harry staring at?

Perhaps Harry has just apparated there, which might explain why the candles are flickering so oddly. I also like the idea about the doors being opened -- that would explain why he's looking so pointedly in the opposite direction. There's something there.

Oooh, I'm giddy! This has stirred the old HP5 excitement in me! Silly me, I thought it was dead. :p

By the way: WOW, does Harry look old!

What's funny about the covers is that the UK ones stress the Phoenix bird itself while the U.S version does not. This is also the first time that the color red hasn't been used on the cover. I have to say even though I'm in America, that UK Adult version is simply gorgeous. I don't like the UK kids version though, very bland.

Originally posted by Hufflepuffy (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222330#post222330))

I have a question? Why are there children's and adult book covers for Britain? I've never understood that. Are all books like that in Britain?


No, not all books are like that. Maybe Bloomsbury have done it before, though, I don't honestly know. I think they are just celebratory special edition versions.
Some people say that it's a marketing ploy for adults who don't wish to appear to be reading childrens' books. But I'm not sure how much weight is in that idea, since the 'adult edition' covers can be hard to find in bookstores.
They're probably called the 'adult editions' because the black and white artwork will appeal to more adults than children.

I think the US cover is FAB. Really sets the tone you know.

The UK children's edition is, is, is.....erm......yellow. On it's own it looks really terrible. When put with the rest of the covers (as shown on the CBBC site) it doesn't look half bad. I still reckon they should have trusted the artist with the manuscript and let him make up his own mind though....:grumble: Although well done, the content isn't much above the level of a six year old's competition entry.

The adult edition is strange and even further out of character than all the other new covers put together. Looks quite neat, but doesn't quite hit the mark IMO.

I suppose they'll grow on me in time, like most things.

BTW in the US edition isn't Harry holding his wand in his LEFT hand? A Mirror image perhaps? (pardon me if I'm wrong but I thought Harry's wand hand was his right.)

Either that or they're just there so that people will collect the different covers and therefore spend more money.

*Drools* Ah, I can't wait now! This is so interesting... the US cover will probably be something that we can look at and go "OOOOH!" when we crack open the book for the very first time...

92 days left!

I just noticed something else. How come Harry's wand is in his left hand?:??:
I think he is looking over his shoulder at whatever set the wind to blowing the candles. A phoenix perhaps? Hmmmn. *sigh* I want my book!

When I saw the book covers I squealed!! This just makes me even more excited about the book!! The U.K. book covers are okay.... On the kid's cover the phoenix is a really pretty drawing but other than that there's nothing much to comment on...... The adult version shows what does look like a statue of a phoenix in a room and both are shown with fire below them.... But as an American who is of course ordering the American version I'm going to comment on that one a little bit more! At first I was a bit disapointed at the cover... But then when I payed closer attention to it I found myself liking it more and more!! First of all it's done in my favorite color...BLUE!! and second I kind of like how it doesn't tell much about the story! Yes, it may sound strange but I don't want to know TOO much about the book before I get it! And this cover gives us the next 92 days to make up even MORE theories based on the cover and I know we'll all have fun doing that won't we? :D

Hmmm...commenting on the new American cover since it reveals the most. This could be symbolic showing the many choices he has in his life or like the rest of the covers it could be literate. Could it be some type of maze or obstacle course? Maybe he's trapped and needs to pick the right door? Also! Also! Wait, I just noticed this. There's seems to be scratch marks on the doors! This leads me to believe that he's trapped somewhere, also by the fact that he's looking back, as if he's chased. You can't really see anything in the background of the doors except for a shadow which means something is behind those doors...anyway, before I hyperventilate and die, I'll go now and leave you guys to debate!

I like the US and UK versions equally. They're both beautiful. I think the US version will turn out to be a little bit more representative of the tone of the story though.

off topic a bit: I was just talking to my husband earlier today about what the cover might look like. I pop onto the net and there they are. :whistle:

Originally posted by Mad Eye Mike (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222344#post222344))
What's funny about the covers is that the UK ones stress the Phoenix bird itself while the U.S version does not. This is also the first time that the color red hasn't been used on the cover. I have to say even though I'm in America, that UK Adult version is simply gorgeous. I don't like the UK kids version though, very bland.


Yeah, that is peculiar, eh? I actually envy the Americans for the cover with Harry in it. It suggests something other than a phoenix, and like what everyone else has mentioned, there seems to be a lot of clues. I wonder if Rowling and Matthewson suggested the doors and the candles to Grandpre. And if they did so, why didn't they suggest the same to Cockcroft?

I'm also curious as to what Harry is looking at behind him. His expression appears a bit mischievous to me, as if suggesting: "Wanna go check it out?"

Then again, I find that the UK adult cover looks kind of creepy, and I like anything that is creepy.

Originally posted by Kristus_Vesanus (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222417#post222417))
Wait, I just noticed this. There's seems to be scratch marks on the doors! This leads me to believe that he's trapped somewhere, also by the fact that he's looking back, as if he's chased.


Those aren't scratch marks and they're not lettering, they're more candles flying around the room.

I find the candles the most intriguing part. Like I said before they appear ghostly, almost semi-transparent. Someone metioned something about candles being the key to the afterlife or something like that, so maybe this is where harry has to "examine the real meaning of death".

I think those are supposed to be doors.

Ya...I noticed that after I blew the picture up and realised they were candles....silly me....

I let out a little scream of delight when I saw the book covers, I especially like the US version. It looks spooky and mysterious, and the dark overtone seems like it sets the mood for the book. What I noticed most was Harry's disposition, its much darker than the other covers. Not that it surprises me after all he went through in book 4. Except for the first book, he's not smiling in this one.
Give me strength to wait 92 more days. :grumble:

Here's a thought....on the American cover, it's a round room (like any tower room) and windows all around.

Could it be the owlery? That would need windows everywhere to let the owls out. :) Didn't Harry go to the Owlery for the first time in GoF? Could that be the important room?

No, Harry has been to the owelry before. How do you think he sent letters? Anyways...I don't think the owelry has multiple doors to it. I'm pretty sure there's only the one door.

I totally agree with yellowhead. And maybe this room was the one where Harry visited before in other books that was supposedly important but we didnt know yet. Does it talk about a room with a lot of doors in any of the books? I dont remember. Maybe its the room behind the Great Hall? I dunno just an idea

Hmmm...JK said that we could go "to a whole new place, a magical place," and also said that her favorite place was a place Harry doesn't know the importance of yet. Hmm...could this be the room?

Personally, I think it's the Riddle House.

The Riddle house was a muggle house. A very normal muggle house. Normal muggles dont have multiple doors like that....

Hmmm...JK said that we could go "to a whole new place, a magical place," and also said that her favorite place was a place Harry doesn't know the importance of yet. Hmm...could this be the room?

I think it's the room behind the great Hall as it's the one with flying candles. But why so many doors...

Left hand... What do people say about the mirror again?

Can anyone make out the image in Harry's glasses? All I can see is candles, but if there is something more in them it could be a clue...

I think most places in the wizard world have floating candles....

Here's what I come up with. The candles are there for a major reason. Otherwise they wouldn't be there period. Note also that Phoenixes are associated with flames....

Originally posted by Kristus_Vesanus (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222605#post222605))
I think most places in the wizard world have floating candles....


:sigh: Sorry, dont remember any other magical place with candles.:sorry:

all 3 covers do have flames though...

I don't think the image in Harry's glasses is important. This is just an artwork and not a photograph and I doubt that the artist put anything special in there. (I like zooming in on people eyeglasses on DVDs to see if you can see crew reflections or anything)

Oh my GOSH!! I LOVE the American cover! I, too agree that the candles and doors are a crutial part of the cover. Harry's expression also is speaking out to me...it looks so intense and like he's in the middle of something really big and evil. He also looks so much OLDER!!

One other thing...is Harry wearing his Hogwarts robes or is he wearing normal clothes? I've noticed in the other US covers, he's wearing street clothes. Although, his outfit in Book 5 looks remarkably similar to the outfit in book 4. Just something more to ponder....

Originally posted by Kristus_Vesanus (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222592#post222592))
Hmmm...JK said that we could go "to a whole new place, a magical place," and also said that her favorite place was a place Harry doesn't know the importance of yet. Hmm...could this be the room?



Well the room on the cover of the book could certainly be one or the other of these two things mentioned, but I seriously doubt it could be both. The place that Harry doesn't know the importance of yet is definitely a place in Hogwarts, while it seems that she means a place other than Hogwarts when speaking of the new magical area.


Someone was mentioning how the room is circular with lots of windows like a tower. I was thinking this as well and it brought to mind the tower where the students have their Astronomy class with Prof. Sinistra. Harry has been in Astronomy since year one and yet we have seen nothing of this class and very very little about Prof. Sinistra. I've always been suspicious of both of these, and perhaps maybe we get to learn more. Just a thought.

True that we don't know much about astronomy or Prof Sinistra, but I doubt that is what we are seeing on the cover. Going along with the previous book covers, there is usually some pretty important stuff on the US covers. I don't see an astronomy classroom that they visit every week being all that important (despite the fact we have never been there with Harry) Plus, I always assumed that the place where the class meets has no ceiling so they are free point their telescopes where ever they want.

I do agree with you ahsweape that the magical place in the school and the "new magical place" that Rowling has mentioned Harry will goto in book 5 are NOT the same place.

Someone (I'm sorry I couldn't find the post!) brought up before the point that Harry seems to be holding his wand with his left hand although we all know that he uses his right hand as his wand hand. Is this a mistake or is there some very important reason that Harry is using his left hand to hold his wand?

One of the ideas I thought of, though I don't see why it would be true but it IS an idea, is that the cover is really a mirror image of what's happening. Does that make sense? So somewhere in the story Harry is in this creepy room with a mirror, and he turns to look into the mirror and the cover is actually the reflection that he sees for some reason. Like I said, I don't know why this would be and I will be the first to admit that I don't eblieve it because it seems highly unlikely, but I'm just tossing it out there.

Left hand?

I think it was an innocent mistake. Mary GrandPre is a fabulous artist, but she won't go into the entire psychology of the actual picture. It might be true... but only the Harry professional fans will notice the wrong hand thing.

I don't think it has a lot to do a mirror world (but there might be, if you insist).

I thought the US Children's version had nothing to do with the title "Order of the Phoenix", whereas both UK versions went hardout to bring the Phoenix out. But statements are released that Mary GrandPre is the only one who actually READ the book (Lucky, lucky artist). Maybe the Phoenix part is drowned out by something more important.

Originally posted by Myrddin (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222378#post222378))
BTW in the US edition isn't Harry holding his wand in his LEFT hand? A Mirror image perhaps? (pardon me if I'm wrong but I thought Harry's wand hand was his right.)


:yup: I noticed this also. I can only assume that Harry isn't casting a spell in the picture and has just placed his wand into his left hand to unlock a door with his right, or something similar. Besides, there's nothing to indicate that Harry couldn't cast a spell with his left hand if he didn't want to -- if this is, indeed, an error, it's hardly significant.

TLC reported earlier today that GrandPre has read OotP (the lucky thing) and has finished all the chapter pictures and back cover.

Does anybody know when (and if) we'll see the covers for other countries editions? I've seen mine, since I'm from the UK, but I still want to see others. Especially the German covers.

Well I am certainly not any kind of authority of this, but I imagine that the book has even begun to be translated into any other languages yet. I seriously doubt that we'll see any artwork for other countries before book five is released in the English-speaking ones.

Keine Ahnung Dedalus. But I believe local publishers will show it on their websites as soon as it's ready. But I don't know who the German publisher is, can't help you there. But I have seen somewhere a list of publishers, perhaps on Bloomsbury's website (?).

There is the adult and kid version of the covers are on www.the-leaky-cauldron.org. This is for the British version.

Ahh, we probably won't see other countries' covers before the book's released in the UK/Aus/US/Canada/SA. Shame. But we might. It depends, I guess, on how long it takes to translate and until the books at the stage it is now, for English speaking countries.

Originally posted by rotsiepots (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222754#post222754))
Besides, there's nothing to indicate that Harry couldn't cast a spell with his left hand if he didn't want to -- if this is, indeed, an error, it's hardly significant.


It might be an error, it might not. Anyhow, maybe the wand had to be in Harry's left hand for the sake of artistic composition, to make the cover look balanced. I would agree that it's hardly significant, but for those of us who love the scene where Harry gets his wand in the Philosopher's Stone I'd think it's moot point that merits some further questioning.

I kind of like the idea of a mirror, but much posing in front of one with a ruler kind of rules out the left/right flip. The wand I think is most definitely in his left hand without question. Although I would say there are some odd things going on with this cover's optics. The candles next to the doors/window shutters are a little ghostly as if they'd been reflected many times in, yes, you guessed it, a mirror. But then maybe there are other ways of achieving this effect in Harry's world. Great cover anyway.

Is it just me or it is odd that you cann see the candles through harry? Maybe he is wearing the invisiblity cloak? I think im just pressing intno this too much.

Back to Dedalus' question.
The site listing all HP publishers with links to their websites is:
http://www.jkrowling.com/

Thanks, Alastor D :)

Jk said that harry would be visting place he had never
been right?Well mabye he's inside malfoy manner,on the
cover.Just a thought.

Maybe I'm just anticipating too much, but seeing the covers has been a bit of an anticlimax for me. The phoenix picture is pretty, but the UK books so far have gone through a trend lof becoming more dramatic each time (the train, the car, Buckbeak, the dragon). It sounds like the plot is being really hushed up this time - even the American cover, whose artist has read the book, isn't all that exciting at first sight! The book might be even more dramatic than we suspect! (or alternatively, less dramatic and more emotional.)

The UK adult cover is interesting because it looks like a picture of a Gothic cathedral, and the 'phoenix' resembles the brass eagle lecterns found in British churches.

I like all the new covers, though - as always - I like the UK ones a bit more (excdept the first). I'm used to the german ones (especially like the first where you can see Ron and Hermione), so I'm very exited to see the new german cover. :clappy:

I don't know what to think of the plot. I guess that it isn't of great importance that Harry holds the wand with his left hand. maybe it's just a thing of composition. besides... you don't see his reight hand, he could hold something else in it. :huh:

It's a pity the artists were not allowed toi read the script; there would be more hints to the plot I guess and it would feel more personal somehow. that's prooably why they remind of children's drawings, because the artists do know just as much as the kids.

First post, been reading for a while.

I'm going to be referring to the OotP cover for the American edition and comparing it to the other GrandPre illustrations for the other four covers.

Firstly, Harry is holding his wand in his left hand on both the OotP cover and on the GoF cover. So the illustrator feels he holds it in his left hand.

A thing that strikes me is the title of the book. On Sorcerer's Stone the title is engraved above and arch. CoS has the title written in red on the wall. PoA has the title written on parchment of some kind. GoF has the title written on a hanging banner. The point of this? OotP's title is written in the air with a very ghost like characterization. This could imply something, especially since we are told that Grandpre has read the book.

Another point is that the OotP book seems to be consistent, so it seems to be only one scene, unlike some of the other American books. SS has a unicorn, Hogwarts, Harry chasing the Snitch, Fluffy, and a man holding a candle behind a curtain. CoS is different. It seems to be depicting Harry's exit from the chamber. He's holding onto Fawkes and has a sword at his side. PoA seems to also only show one scene - Herminone, Harry, and Buckbeak saving Sirius towards the end. However, the back has a werewolf, the whomping willow, and several Dememntors hovering around. GoF gets back to putting several scenes into one on the front. We have Harry holding the Golden Egg and his wand. Krum, Diggory, and Fleur are in the background. We see Sirius as Snuffles, the legs of a spider, the maze, a crowd of people, the Horntail's tail, and a Dementor.

So, what can we say based on this? Well, the CoS and PoA covers both depicted events towards the end when Harry and friends have gotten out of their most extreme danger. Could this also apply to OotP? It doesn't seem like a scene that would suggest everything is ok, because we have a ghostlike title and opague candles, suggesting this is a place not in the real world - or a place possibly inhabited with ghosts of some kind. On all covers except SS, Harry is wearing a smile, or a grin that could be interpreted that way. In SS he's chasing the Snitch and his glasses are off center, so it is understandable. This is also the only cover in which Harry is completely alone with no other living beings able to be seen. On SS there was Fluffy and a unicorn. On CoS he had Fawkes. On PoA he had Hermione and Buckbeak. On GoF he had many people.

So, what is Harry looking at? Is he tense and alone at this point and maybe has heard a noise? Is this magical world Rowling has talked about a ghostly one? Is this the room JKR has spoken about? The cover certainly lends an air of uncertainy and suspense. Is this towards the end of the book, like other single scenes on covers?

I find the US cover great!!! The picture of Harry is really beautiful, and the colors suggest everything is getting darker. But for me, the most important detail is that there aren't many clues, and right now I prefer that, because I don't want the book to be spoiled before I can read it.
The previous book's covers are also great, although in PoA the "hint" was too big, so you could guess the end (part of it). With OotP's cover that's not going to happend.

Somebody said that the room could be the owlery, and I agree. Round, with many windows...
By the way, Harry looks great with 15 years old :D

wow.

seeing the covers are great. especially the american version...gosh, it looks beautiful! i first saw it yesterday on another site and got absolutely giddy. and this morning, while i was doing other things, i remembered the covers...and now i'm totally happy. it's made me so much more excited for the books to come out. eeeeeee!!!!!!

ok, so that's nothing new. everyone's excited. :) but it just TOTALLY made my day...gosh, i'm super anxious for it now! the american cover of OoP is definitely my favorite of all of them!

AAAAAAIIIIEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! so excited!!!!!! :clappy: :clappy: :clappy:

Originally posted by ahsweape (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=222713#post222713))

Someone was mentioning how the room is circular with lots of windows like a tower.


The US one, yeah, but there's no way the interior on the UK special edition is the flue of a tower. I wonder if that design is just... design?

Puffskein, I'm thinking of one building in particular and I think it's a famous cathedral. But the base of my elusive building is square and the roof is domed - to achieve this, the sloping walls are made up of arches! The artist could have based the work on this architecture, whatever it is.

Personally, I like all three covers. Really. :cool:

The British cover is, IMHO, the best one they've done. I never understood why they didn't at least use the same artist. To me, none of the covers look like they belong together. ESPECIALLY PS. I mean it's so cartoony in comparison to the others. :p

The British adult cover: Cool. By far the best of the adult covers. :)

The American cover: AWESOME! The monochromatic shades are a change. Very, oh I'm not even sure what word I'm looking for. I like how you see a bit (3 doors, candles, Harry turning towards *something*), but yet from it one can only speculate. I think more clues were on the front of the other covers. Though I realize that could be from reading the book and then knowing why what was shown was shown. ;)

Ok, I read either on Mugglenet.com or the leaky cauldron that the American artist DID read the manuscript becaue she had to depict the events on the chapter cover pages.

The room to me looks as if it is spinning. the doors may be mirrors since you see the candles on them. Looks as if Harry may be going to the magical world that JKR has stated will happen. Also, maybe someone walked into the room behind Harry.

The lettering reminds me of old Ghost movies. Has a ghostly, errie feeling to it. The gray colors remind me that this book will indeed be dark.

I like the cover myself. I also like the adult version in the UK.

When I first saw the covers I screamed and danced around. The result of that means my friend thinks I'm off my rocker and has mentally made a note to herself to avoid me on June 21st!

I like the Childrens UK version, I seem to be the only once, but at first I loved it and thought it was really pretty.

Then all you lot made me feel more negative about it and then I saw the american version and that is defenately the best! It has more in it yes, but the UK one does at least follow the other one in trends. The children's cover is probably to make parents think it is not scary and make kids be more attracted to it rather than dark colours.

I don't care that much about the covers, all I care about is the darn book!

How can I deny the American cover? Mary GrandPre is a local girl(Minnesota). That, and that shade of blue is my favorite color.

Originally posted by dracofan (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=223139#post223139))

The lettering reminds me of old Ghost movies. Has a ghostly, errie feeling to it. The gray colors remind me that this book will indeed be dark.



I still say the lettering is meant to look like smoke. Lots of candles - lots of smoke.

I'm confused about something and I can't help thinking a number of my brain cells must have recently died. The Mugglenet main page suggests the room is circular because the candles are flickering in the opposite direction on the other side of the room. Well, the perception of the doors/windows/great big holes with large slabs over them does indeed show the room is circular. But why would the candles be flickering in a different direction on the opposite side of the room for that reason? Wind could blow in a circular motion in a circular room, but there would have to be an uncanny localised tornado to cause such a phenemonom in a large room with several openings.

Maybe Harry's holding his wand in his left hand because we are seeing him in a mirror, so his image is reversed. (US cover) And that's why the candles seem to go through him on the right side of the cover. :)

Originally posted by helhorns (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=223206#post223206))
I like the Childrens UK version, I seem to be the only once, but at first I loved it and thought it was really pretty.

No, no, I like it too. But for me, I like it because it reminds me of these old adventure novels I used to read when I was little, and they were just plain great!

Originally posted by dracofan (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=223139#post223139))
Ok, I read either on Mugglenet.com or the leaky cauldron that the American artist DID read the manuscript becaue she had to depict the events on the chapter cover pages.
I was glad to hear this. It's nice to think that the cover was inspired instead of having been instructed.

I'm anxious to see what is on the other side of the cover.

Everyone has been saying that the colors on the cover just set the new air for the book. I'm thinking that the blues may be more important. In CoS when they go to the deathday party the candle lights are blue so I'm thinking that ghost candles would produce a blue light. Not sure though but this may be of importance. JKR did say we'd find out how people become ghosts.

Hello all,

I'd like to pose an addition to the possible theories going on here surrounding the American version of the cover. Firstly, I don't truly believe that Harry is being seen through a mirror, justifying the fault in his wand hand. However, I think the mirror idea is quite possible. I think the doors/windows/whatever may in fact be mirrors covering doorways, much the way many other entrances/exits are covered in Hogwarts. This could justify the left hand or not, but it would explain why some of the candles seem to be faded. Also, I agree that the room is proabably circular and the wind is swirling for some reason, probably becasue there are so many ways in/out.

Finally, I'd like to point out that I think that it is not part of the "magical world" that JK mentioned. It is either in Hogwarts, or possibly it is the famous Wizard-alternative to the Internet. Like you look through the windows/doors/mirrors to see what you're looking for.

-Zed

i don't think that the cover involves a mirror. if it did, i think it would be obvious and we'd be able to see the mirror...don't forget, this is a children's book. i don't think we're gonna have to read tooooooo much into the cover illustration. :) i think the wand hand thing is moot; mary probably just thought the illo would look better from this perspective with this pose and whatnot.

i do like the theories about it being a circular room with candles moving around the periphery. and that it's probably a ghostly kind of setting. i also think it may be taking place at night, because i remember many night scenes in films being cast in a bluish glow...

one other thing...i don't know if i read it here or elsewhere...but if someone mentioned that harry was in his regular clothes, i don't think he is. it looks like he's in his robes; his left sleeve is a little wider at the bottom and you can see another sleeve on his arm.

I really like the US children's version, but something makes me believe that we are like overlooking a clue or what not in the cover. I dunno. On the other hand, I am veryvery dissapointed with the UK children's version. It is just too predictable for a Harry Potter book.

THe room in the drawing looks very circular, with the wind and light from candles....do we know any circular rooms? I could have sworn I remeber reading about one.......At first, I thought it might be James in the picture, but then I zoomed in really far, and saw the scar. Maybe his right arm is injured, and that's why he has to use his left.

OOOooOOOOoo.. i think my heart rate just went up by 235635464357 beats per minute!! *faints* Ahhhhhhh!!!

Finally an American cover that looks good! Love the dark colors... love the candles.. love the atmosphere. The UK Adult is my favorite, though. I just wish there's an U.S adult version. :( Oh well, guess I could always cancel my pre-order and buy the adult version from amazon.ca.

Aren't the Gryffindor tower rooms round? But then, any of the tower rooms at Hogwarts would be round, wouldn't they?

As has been mentioned, Grandpre's illustration for the American version of GoF has Harry holding his wand in his left hand. And that definitely isn't some kind of mirror image.

I also don't think this is some kind of mistake. JKR has said that the Grandpre illustrations are her favorite, and I can't imagine JKR letting the cover (of GoF or OotP) go to print with a mistake.

Do we know for sure that Harry is right-handed?

:yup: In PS, Mr Ollivander asks Harry which is his "wand arm" and Harry replies with, "Er -- well, I'm right-handed."

When I first say that picture, I thought of the Riddle house. Strange thought, but a thought nonetheless ... *shrugs*

Harry seems to be looking for something. Either that, or he's being cautious about something. He may be looking for someone.

Originally posted by HogwartsChaplain (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=224330#post224330))
Aren't the Gryffindor tower rooms round? But then, any of the tower rooms at Hogwarts would be round, wouldn't they?

Aaaah, perhaps Harry is discovering the mystical wonders of the Divination Tower? :huh:

Doesn't look like the Divination Tower to me.

Just a thought, perhaps Harry will get into some kind of accident that will hinder him from using his wand-arm? Therefore he has to use his left.

Em...looks interesting.
Very blue indeed I must say.
But it looks great. A lot of mystery, I can't wait to find out what it all is.
That's just if the picture is actually the cover for OOTP.

I was surprised to see the colours were blue. The US covers are usually red/orange/gold.
But I like it.

Harry looks older and worried.

The UK OOTP one looks quite cool.
And the Adult version as well.

They look great!

Originally posted by go_anna40 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=224616#post224616))
That's just if the picture is actually the cover for OOTP.

Do you have any real reason for doubting that? It's already posted as the cover at Amazon.com, and they wouldn't be likely to be duped by a "fake" cover.

the adult version rawks! the color is ******* brilliant ... though i also like the english version. harry looks diff in it.

Does anyone think that if we do see Harry through a mirror, he's looking through the Mirror of Erised, or Ron or Hermione are looking for Harry and the find him in the Mirrir of Erised because he's lost, or Voldemort is looking in the Mirror of Erised again, but this time to find Harry, like Dumbledore stored him in a mirror (lol). Then if Harry was stored in a mirror, do you think that he could be with the images of his family? That would be odd...

Well Hmph!!!! I believe I was the one in the forums who stated it looked circular first!!! No just kidding!

The place looks to me like one of the towers or something, but I can't really imagine this place being at Hogwarts. Dumbledore is there, so it would be hard for Voldemort to get it, and the cover looks like he's about to see him!

Dumbledore's office is circular. Maybe that is where he is.

The OotP US cover is the only US cover I like.

The covers are interesting. The UK one not showing Harry? The US one having Harry in an indeterminable situation? Looks like they are trying to keep us from over analyzing the covers to guess the plot.

Not much longer now...

Originally posted by HogwartsChaplain (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=224793#post224793))
Do you have any real reason for doubting that? It's already posted as the cover at Amazon.com, and they wouldn't be likely to be duped by a "fake" cover.


Opps, I posted that after I read a few reports on the cover. Ignore that statment...

Originally posted by spacedout (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=223560#post223560)) In CoS when they go to the deathday party the candle lights are blue so I'm thinking that ghost candles would produce a blue light. Not sure though but this may be of importance.


I thought of the deathday party room too, but they mention black candles and don't say that the room is round. Also, this is supposed to be in the dungeons, and this place looks much airier, so I think not.

Round rooms include:
Dumbledore's office
The tower bedrooms in Gryffindor,
The other towers like diviation and the astronomy tower.
Maybe the owlry

I first thought Dumbledore's office. He has Fawkes the phoenix. Maybe, there is an alternate entrance? Maybe the room shares space with another room in another dimesion. The major problem is, it is too difficult to get access too. You can't just walk into the headmaster's office unless he wants you to.

My next thought is Harry's circular bedroom. If that were so, then only Gryffindors could be in the order of the phoenix . Maybe it is true? I don't know? Dumbledore was a Gryffidor, and his familiar is a phoenix.

I don't think that it is divination. It isn't stuffy, and there are no couches.

Therefore, maybe it is the astronomy tower. Harry has been there, but they almost never describe it. Or the Owlry, Harry was there in book 4 listening to Fred and George. It would certainly be drafty, but why the many doors? Wouldn't there be windows? And why have so many candles?

It looks too freaky and gloomy to be Dumbledore's office. Maybe it is, just Dumbledore's gone and it's been abandoned or something.

It may be the astronmny tower, it certainy doesn't look like the divination tower, and where would the cages be if it was the Owlery? How funny would it be if an owl caught on fire by standing too close to one of those candles...

But then again, I'm rarely right.

I have a gut-feeling that it's the owlery. Its circular, and I believe those are windows with shutters, not doors. I think all the owls have been scared away. Maybe the wind is coming from outside, or perhaps...from a phoenix's wings flapping? Maybe Harry is looking at a phoenix behind him?


EDIT: Oh, and perhaps Harry is about to transport somewhere? To the 'new, magical place' perhaps? And someone mentioned something about the blue candles representing death, because they were at the Deathday Party. Didn't Rowling say something in an interview that we get to find out why some people become ghosts and others don't? Maybe the candles have something to do with that...