What is Reddit's opinion of
The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition?
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16 reviews of this product found across Reddit:
I like this version. Not abridged but the illustrations are great: ilustrated Hobbit
Book buddies!
My son has started to enjoy being read chapters of Winnie the Pooh for bedtime, and pretty soon I want to introduce him to The Hobbit! I thought this illustrated edition would be perfect!
Choosing just one off my wishlist was hard though lol.
u/Lilhoneybee4 come join!
Oh yeah, I did plenty of voices lol. A little background - we started reading in this format this year. We started reading through the entire Narnia series, then The Hobbit, and we're now reading through The Wingfeather Saga. He's absolutely loving reading.
Honestly, I usually just kinda look ahead when reading to see who's talking. Usually you know who it is just based on how the narrative is flowing. Occasionally I'll start saying something in a voice and then realize it's someone else and start over, but it's not often enough to make a difference.
It's been a fun experience. I've gotten used to doing different voices, so he has this very unique view of the world we're reading that matches how I'm reading it and our shared experience. He loved The Hobbit at 6 - I think it's totally appropriate. I'm currently reading through LOTR myself (again) and we are definitely quite a ways off from reading that.
I had 3 different versions of The Hobbit already, but I picked up this version just for our read because of the illustrations. It was really well done and made it a more fun experience for him.
Enjoy! It's become one of the best things we ever started doing together.
There is an excellent illustrated hardback version on Amazon. I have personally given it three times as a Secret Santa and have a copy myself. It's hardback and looks to be on sale right now.
Here's the link:
I picked up this version of the hobbit for my niece one christmas and had trouble parting with it.
I also have the 2013 version illustrated by Jemima Catlin and I love it. It really does give it that "children's book" feel to it, but tastefully - if that makes sense.
https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Illustrated-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0544174224/ref=asc_df_0544174224/
You can scroll down to the images in the reviews for some samples, and it's cheap enough that you can buy it along with the other editions if you want to.
While I can recommend just about any edition of The Hobbit, if you're looking for one with a bit more eye candy to help you through it there's this edition that has some great illustrations by Jemima Catlin:
Are you in the US? My understanding is that this version is the best illustrated version for kids: https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Illustrated-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0544174224/
There are two other illustrated versions, one of which is illustrated by Tolkien himself. But the illustrations are bit more dark and serious and potentially "scary" or whereas this Catlin version is bright and friendly.
I'd like to provide an alternative to the chorus of voices pointing towards cheap paperbacks. There is sound logic in paying bottom dollar for an author you're not yet sure about. However, assuming you do end up LOVING Tolkien as so many have, you may find yourself in a position to buy twice, rather than just buying nice upfront.
And while there are many horrendously expensive volumes out there, I'd like to recommend two which will give you a wonderful first reading experience without breaking the bank.
- The Hobbit, Illustrated by Jemima Catlin. This is a wonderful book to hold and read, with lavish, fanciful illustrations on nearly every page. This is what I started my wife on, and it got her solidly hooked.
- The Hobbit, 75th anniversary edition. This is one of many reprints of the standard hardback, and in reality you could buy any one of those other reprints used and get the same experience (doesn't have to be the 75th ann. edition). These generally have Tolkien's original illustrations in full color which lack nothing for charm or magic. I love Tolkien's dust jacket design.
Neither of these are particularly expensive. They look good on the shelf, and make for nice gifts if you don't end up loving the book. IMO, there is no reason to go with cheap paperbacks unless your budget demands the lowest prices.
Finally, please don't read LotR before The Hobbit. I can understand the argument that reading LotR first is fine, but I disagree with the utility of this suggestion. The Hobbit provides essential world building and characterization without which any reading of LotR would be greatly impoverished. Moreover, The Hobbit is short, so you're not stuck with three volumes (or one of three) cluttering the shelf if you hate it.
It is this edition . Hell yeah, I'll take another kid.
Indeed! It’s $15 off right now too :)
The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0544174224/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7BatFbYEPPF4Z
Have you checked out the illustrated version that came out a few years ago? The illustrator is named jemima catlin.
https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Illustrated-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0544174224
Thanks. I found it in Barnes and noble. The illustrations look pretty cool. Another cool thing is that it's a lot more reasonably priced than the anniversary editions they carry. https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Illustrated-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0544174224
There's an illustrated edition of Watership Down that is absolutely gorgeous. Something on nearly every page, even if it's just a sprig of heather in the margin. I bought it for my husband for his birthday a few years ago (it's an old favorite of his) and he cried because he loved it so much.
Edit: I also own this edition of The Hobbit and it's beautiful, again, something lovely on nearly every page.
The Folio Society edition of The Wind in the Willows is spendy but it's one of the loveliest things I own.
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