The Tales of Beedle the Bard
From ChildLitWiki
Contents |
Illustrated by J. K. Rowling
Series Title: Harry Potter
Buy from Kepler's, an Independent Bookseller
Notes
Bibliographic Data
Original Publication Date: December 2008
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Imprint: Arthur A. Levine
ISBN 9780545128285
Hardcover Price: $12.99
Paperback Price: $
Number of Pages: 111
Best for ages: 10 up
Library of Congress Descriptor: "A wizarding classic from the world of Harry Potter"--Cover.;The wizard and the hopping pot -- The Fountain of Fair Fortune -- The warlock's hairy heart -- Babbitty Rabbitty and her cackling stump -- The tale of the three brothers. Contains five illustrated moral tales for children from the world of Harry Potter, reportedly discovered and translated by young witch Hermione Granger, with an introduction and commentary from Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Categorization
Type of Book: Chapter/Fiction
Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories
Topics and Themes: Fantasy, Fantasy Series, Fairy Tales, Witches, Magic, Wizards, Short Stories
Summary
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a book of wizarding fairytales played a crucial part in the plot. This is that book, first auctioned for millions, and now available to everyone. It consists of five short stories, with commentary on each by Albus Dumbledore and introduction, illustrations, and notes by J. K. Rowling.
Reviews
J. K. Rowling certainly has the magic touch. For the most part, this literary trifle is a delight, showing her wicked humor, the depth and complexity of the world she created, and even some pungent skewering of our own world, morality tales in general, the egregious work of the woman who tried to sue her, and her critics. About half of the book is Dumbledore's commentary which, with its many references to events and elements in the Harry Potter series for fans to catch, will bring joy to hearts that have been forlorn since the final book was finished.
Unfortunately this collection, which is accessible to even the youngest fans, is marred by one overly gruesome story ("The Warlock's Hairy Heart," see content advisories for details). But for older kids, reading these stories, catching all the references, and fitting it into the world in which they love immersing themselves will be an all-too quickly finished pleasure. Rowling has the magic touch all right -- let's hope she decides to use it often in the years to come. -- Matt Berman
Excerpt
At once there came a loud clanging and banging from his kitchen. The wizard lit his wand and opened the door, and there, to his amazement, he saw his father's old cooking pot. It had sprouted a single foot of brass, and was hopping on the spot in the middle of the floor, making a fearful noise upon the flagstones. The wizard approached it in wonder, but fell back hurriedly when he saw that the whole of the pot's surface was covered in warts.
Publisher Info and Jacket Copy
Relateds
Other Books by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, Book 5)
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Harry Potter, Book 6)
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them
Quidditch Through the Ages
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]
Related Books
After Harry Potter list
Related Websites
Author's site
Mugglenet
Leaky Cauldron
Harry Potter encyclopedia
Other Editions
Concerns
Sex: A reference to "fondling some Horklumps."
Violence: A very gruesome chapter in which a man cuts out a woman's heart, licks and strokes it, then cuts out his own heart. This includes an illustration of this scene. Also, a fatal duel, a throat-slitting, and a suicide.
Drugs: A man gets drunk.
Behavior: Each tale teaches a moral, though some of them have more application to the world of wizards than to ours.
