As anticipation builds for the upcoming HBO Original series Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone this Christmas, it’s the perfect time to revisit the story that started it all. That’s why Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Pottermore Publishing and international publishing partners are giving fans around the world new ways to experience the Philosopher’s Stone to celebrate the biggest Back to Hogwarts season yet. Here are the treats they have in store…

A beloved audiobook, available to all

Firstly, from 1st September until the end of Hallowe’en, the beloved audiobook editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone narrated by Stephen Fry and Jim Dale will be available on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, and on the official Harry Potter YouTube channel, with no paid subscription required! Fun fact: the YouTube offering is the first time listeners outside North America can access the Jim Dale version. We have raided the Hogwarts Express snack trolley and we are seated.

Magic made real in London

Here’s a book giveaway Lockhart would put his name to… Those of you attending the HBO Max Platform 9 ¾ Fan Experience at Old Billingsgate Market on 1st September will be gifted copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone from Bloomsbury and full-cast audiobook editions from Pottermore & Audible. You’re welcome.

Introducing a new generation of readers to Hogwarts

To bring the magic of storytelling to communities around the world, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Pottermore and Audible have banded together on some spellbinding new initiatives:

• More than 200,000 print books and full-cast audiobooks of the first Harry Potter story will be donated to schools, libraries and hospitals across the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Brazil, the Netherlands, Norway, Bulgaria, Finland, China and Japan.

• In the UK, Bloomsbury will donate copies to charities and partners including Read for Good (supported by a matching full-cast audiobook donation by Pottermore and Audible), The National Literacy Trust, Give a Book, Sky, The Trussell Trust and Book Aid International, helping more children discover and engage with the joy of Harry Potter.

• Library access will also be expanded, with Pottermore lifting waitlists for the digital editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, making it easier for readers to borrow the eBook or digital audiobook from their local library throughout September.

• In the U.S., Scholastic will give away 100,000 copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone through its school channels including underserved communities across the country. In collaboration with Audible and Pottermore, Scholastic will also distribute Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone full-cast audiobook to 100,000 Book Clubs-affiliated teachers nationwide!

Phew… all that has got us in the mood to re-read the Philosopher’s Stone again. (As if we needed another excuse.)

Keep up to date with everything Back to Hogwarts right here, as we countdown to the big day, and be sure to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest owl post before the Hogwarts Express leaves.