I have been looking into illustrated editions of books 1&2 for my son to introduce him to HP books next year when he is 9 yrs/4th grade. These illustrated editions are on the pricey end, so at $25 with the holiday season price cuts, I figured this is the cheapest it will get and ordered Book 1 of this MinaLima edition and Book 2 of the Jim Kay edition. I enjoyed Harry Potter books when I first read them as a young adult and still enjoy re-reading now, but I am by no means a Harry Potter fanatic who would buy multiple editions of the same book, so I studied the options closely to pick the best.I was initially looking only at the Jim Kay editions as they seem to be more common and popular but thank god I checked this book out, this Sorcerer's Stone version is absolutely gorgeous. I am sure there are many parents out there in a dilemma between Minalima and Jim Kay. I will list the pros and cons and give concise details as best I canPros-The most attractive feature of this book to me more than the interactive elements although the Hogwarts letter and the Chessboard were really imaginative and cool, is, the really comprehensive coverage of the imagery going very closely with the flow of the book, which makes it ideal for children under 10, I too thoroughly enjoyed the smaller illustrative details.Jim Kay's book 1 has vibrant and stunning single and double page illustration spreads of the main events, landmarks, and characters, such as The Hogwarts Express, the exterior view of Hagrid's Hut, The Hogwarts Castle, Gryffindor Ghost Nearly Headless Nick, Harry's portrait, and The Great Hall of Hogwarts. While these above mentioned spreads of Jim Kay are the best of illustrations and clearly superior to their counterparts in this edition, the Jim Kay edition definitely does not cover the story as comprehensively and cohesively as this version. There are several smaller details never seen anywhere else offered in this edition. To me, this edition is closer to the books and Jim Kay's closer to the movies.I have a particular issue with Jim Kay's Chapter 1(The boy who lived). The chapter in writing introduces the Dursleys and shows the team of wizards headed by Dumbledore leave baby Harry under their care. Jim Kay's chapter 1 illustrations obsessively focus on the Dursleys alone, you wouldn't guess based on his illustrations that the chapter talks about the important matters of Harry being left at their door step and the perceived end of an evil wizard! This edition on the other hand, beautifully illustrates chapter 1 with the focus on Harry. The scene of Dumbledore appearing at Privet Drive (which gives us our very first glimpse of him), one of my favorites from the book, has been shown beautifully here. The Quidditch scene of book 1 is illustrated far better in this edition than in Jim Kay's book 1. Lastly, Jim Kay's over the top illustrations of Trolls later in the book with bonus information on them, adds no value whatsoever to the story.-This edition has a more whimsical approach and child friendly imagery.-More compact in size, lighter in weight in spite of the good paper quality, and much easier on the eyes for reading. The Jim Kay version is a lap-book size and not convenient for holding, also that paper having a waxy finish and on many pages background imagery or color, was not as comfortable to read as this.Cons-While the Sorcerer's stone is the best in this version, I am not sure if the longer and darker following books can be as effectively conceived in this style. Jim Kay's vivid colors and darker tone could be more suitable for the following books (although I am sure the interactive specials of this edition would come up with an awesome Marauder's map in book 3!). This was clear when I looked at Minalima's Chamber of secrets - While it had more comprehensive illustrations, the images were not as effective as Jim Kay's Dobby, his Basilisk, Aragog, the sword of Gryffindor, and his other single/double page illustration spreads. Among the interactive elements of Minalima's book 2, only the one of the Gargoyle staircase to Dumbledore's office is good, none of the others are worth mentioning. Hence I chose Jim Kay for Chamber of secrets. Book 2 is definitely the weakest of Minalima so far. Minalima's style is whimsical, imaginative, and artistic, which works the best for the first book, but it does not convey the darkness, the emotions, or the menace that become essential as the series progresses. For the sorcerer's/philosopher's stone, look no further, this edition is hands down THE best!-These editions being smaller in dimension with movable and delicate parts in their interactive elements, are not as sturdy as the Jim Kay books and the binding not as robust. Requires more careful handling than the Jim Kay books.Update - My 9 year old just finished this book, just before he began his 4th grade year. He is in absolute love with this book and approves of my analysis!Update - Book #3 - After checking out the newly released Minalima's book 3, I felt obligated to provide my insights on it.Book #3 while having a relatively more developed and complicated plot line, is still a middle grade read with just introductions to a few dark elements, but the plot still maintaining the innocence of a 5th grade reading level. Hence I found Jim Kay's #3 to dwell a bit too much on the dark parts in the book omitting some more colorful moments and features, such as his overly dark and grotesque dementors, and his somber and gloomy Hogsmeade.Minalima's #3 - Let me start with the book cover, the shades of dark blue mixed with the dark pink is an amazing color combo that is so appealing and attractive, definitely the best cover of Minalima's so far!The illustrations: Even though some of Jim Kay's work in #3 such as Lupin's portrait and his fantastical imagination of elements such as the Magical Menagerie and Grindylow cannot be surpassed, Minalima's version of the Dementors in Hogwarts express, the merry and colorful Hogsmeade, Professor Trelawny's classroom, the Quidditch scenes, are so much more appealing to me than Jim Kay's portrayal.Sirius Black looks extremely cartoonish though, I liked Jim Kay's book 3 Sirius far better.My favorites among the interactive pieces are,Grim in a tea cup - So unexpected and imaginative!The Patronus Stag - This is such a vibrant and lifelike pop-up, it feels like the Patronus comes alive!The Marauder's map - This was an interactive element that was already anticipated from Minalima. You can move people as dots on this Marauder's map which is sure to capture the fancy of young readers!I would definitely say, especially the last quarter of the book which has all the revelations, has been done so much better by Minalima than Jim kay. The last quarter action packed parts, as is characteristic of Minalima have so much more illustrations than Jim Kay's, following the flow of the story very well.I would recommend book #3 for age 10, at which stage illustrated edition is not an absolute necessity. But if your child is reading #3 earlier than 10, then Minalima's book 3 is a must! If you or your child are one of those whose favorite in the series is #3, Minalima's Book 3 is a must buy!The specialty of Minalima's book 3 is the interactive elements, they have outdone themselves in this book with their 'beyond imagination/expectation' interactive pieces, and with the smaller illustrative details, even more than full page illustrations.I still stick to my opinion that beyond #3, the books are too bulky and too mature to support Minalima's format and illustrative style, but Minalima's book 3 is definitely a masterpiece.