I purchased this illustrated edition of The Hobbit, primarily to be a gift to my adult children to read to their children. I have read The Hobbit numerous times over the past 50 years or so, along with the Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, and other works by J.R.R. Tolkien. Some have expressed dissatisfaction with this adaptation, whether because some parts were left out or glossed over, or the illustrations weren't what they expected, or the illustrations had too much dialog covering them. J.R.R. Tolkien himself commented on the reception his books received while he was still alive. He had received letters asking for more information about Hobbits and Middle-earth, and others saying that there was too much. I believe that he understood that no book or story would please everyone on every point, and that one must do the best they can on what they do, and not worry about pleasing everyone. Clearly, this edition does not please everyone, but I don't believe that it was intended to.There are two releases of the illustrated edition, with two different covers. The copies that I purchased were used, and shipped from private bookstores through Amazon, but not from Amazon. Both releases have the same story illustrations in them, but the illustrations before and after the story are different, Also, the covers were illustrated by two different artists, but the story was illustrated by a third artist.This edition stays true to the tale in J.R.R. Tolkien's, The Hobbit. Unlike Peter Jackson's movies, which change the storyline in significant ways, this adaptation does not change any of the storyline, though with only 134 pages, it does not go into great depth. It does address the major points of the story, and illustrates them in clear, well drawn illustrations.I have read The Hobbit onto a set of CD's that my older grandchildren listened to when they were little and again as their younger siblings listened to them. I know that they will enjoy this illustrated edition, and the parents or older siblings will read the story to the little ones, discuss the pictures and help the little one's understand the story.Graphic adaptations to stories don't appeal to everyone, particularly those purists who love the original works and don't want them changed. I consider myself a Tolkien purist, but can appreciate the quality of the illustrations and the accuracy of this adaptation. I would recommend this illustrated edition to those who want to share The Hobbit with children they hold dear, or for the child in each of us who wants to rediscover the story in a new way.