Brought to you by Scholastic and Bloomsbury, Christmas at Hogwarts is set to be a real festive treat. This new book is filled with gorgeously detailed illustrations that accompany J.K. Rowling’s text from Harry’s memorable first Christmas in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone.
The artist tasked with recreating this iconic yuletide was illustrator, Ravenclaw and longtime Harry Potter fan, Ziyi Gao. Today we are lucky enough to gain an insight into how she created artwork that truly captured all the whimsical Christmas fun, the important role that Harry Potter has played in her life, plus all the little details to look out for in this new illustrated book…
Photo credit: Jacelyn Shu
How were you first introduced to the world of Harry Potter?
My parents bought me the first four Harry Potter books when they first came out, but I was a five-year-old kid then living in Beijing and could not understand such a complex story. The books were stored away on our bookshelves for a few years before I rediscovered them when I was 14. I was immediately drawn to these stories and became a huge fan throughout my entire middle and high school years.
What was your reaction when Scholastic first approached you about this project?
I was so surprised and couldn’t believe it was real. It was truly hard to believe that I could be this lucky to have this opportunity. To be honest, I went to LinkedIn to double-check whether it was a scam or not!
What excited you about the opportunity of illustrating Christmas at Hogwarts?
It was like a dream come true. I’ve been a Harry Potter fan since I was young, and I discovered my interest in illustration by drawing Harry Potter fan art in high school. While reading Harry Potter, I had so many images in my head, and I would often make illustrations of those scenes. Though my drawing at that time might be clumsy, I found the whole process very enjoyable. Now, after all these years of practice, I feel so fortunate and happy to have the opportunity to become an illustrator for this series.
What are some elements of the Harry Potter books that draw you to them?
As a teenager, I found the Harry Potter series quite relatable. I like that this series talks about the hardships of growing up, how to become a better person, and how to deal with losing loved ones through the lens of magic.
Do you have a favourite illustration in Christmas at Hogwarts?
My favourite illustration is the one when Fred and George come into the room to try to force Ron and Percy to put on their sweaters. I was very satisfied with how it came out because it was such a happy and chaotic moment. I’ve never done anything like this before, with so much lively character interaction depicted in one image.
Are there any “Easter eggs” or special details in the illustrations that readers should look out for?
Even though she's not mentioned in the text, Hedwig appears in the first three illustrations, giving us a bird's-eye view of Hogwarts, then getting closer, and finally landing on a branch outside where Harry is in a lesson. This felt like a cute detail, and I had to include Hedwig!
What’s your Hogwarts house?
My Hogwarts house is Ravenclaw. I’m very curious about things I don’t know, I love reading and learning how things work, and I love doing lots of research before delving into certain subjects. I value original ideas and creativity.
Did you do any research to prepare for illustrating Christmas at Hogwarts? If so, please tell us about it.
I went to several bookstores locally and researched picture books, especially those about Christmas, to better understand what I wanted this book to look like. I also bought The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac as a reference guide, which inspired me greatly. Then, I researched famous illustrators for the Harry Potter series, such as Jim Kay, Mary GrandPré, Thomas Taylor, etc. After that, I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone once again to immerse myself in this world. I also researched Christmas traditions in the UK while working on the sketches.
What do you hope readers experience while reading Christmas at Hogwarts?
I hope it will be an immersive experience. I’ve spent lots of time and energy depicting the world, making it as real and specific as possible. I hope readers will feel the happiness and holiday spirits, taste the delicious food at Hogwarts, enjoy the snowball fights with Harry and his friends, and fall in love with this magical world that I fell in love with years ago.
What were some of your favourite children’s books growing up?
My favourite children’s books include Thomas Brezina’s adventure series Tiger Team, the comic adaptions of the life of Marie Curie and Thomas Edison (I don’t remember the authors), and Harry Potter. Thomas Brezina’s books are detective stories for children. They were extremely popular in China when I was young. The books were very interactive. The reader needs to use a special card that comes with the book to solve the puzzles inside. I found my love for detective stories by reading his books. By reading the comics about Marie Curie and Edison, I cultivated a long-lasting interest in reading biographies and history which has continued into adulthood. And Harry Potter, which, needless to say, was simply mesmerising for me to read and has affected me throughout my life.
What should we know about you as an artist?
I’m a young artist who just started my career as an illustrator after graduating from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2021. Therefore, I was truly fortunate and honoured to have had the opportunity to work on this book with Scholastic. I love creating fantasy worlds and whimsical characters. If you are interested in seeing more of my work, please check out my website.
The answers to this Q&A have been edited for length & clarity.
Christmas at Hogwarts will be published in hardback simultaneously on 15th October 2024 in 31 languages globally.
If you're UK-based, visit the Bloomsbury website to pre-order. If you're US-based, visit the Scholastic website to pre-order.
