The Tales of Beedle the Bard
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient
runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes,
and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus
Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly
imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of
Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her
Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But
not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love,
reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.
The stories are accompanied by delightful pen-and-ink illustrations by
Ms. Rowling herself, featuring a still-life frontispiece for each one.
Professor Dumbledore’s commentary—apparently written some eighteen
months before his death—reveals not just his vast knowledge of
Wizarding lore, but also more of his personal qualities: his sense of
humor, his courage, his pride in his abilities, and his hard-won
wisdom. Names familiar from the Harry Potter novels sprinkle the pages,
including Aberforth Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy and his forebears, and
Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington (or “Nearly Headless Nick”), as well
as other professors at Hogwarts and the past owners of the Elder Wand.
Dumbledore tells us of incidents unique to the Wizarding world, like
hilariously troubled theatrical productions at Hogwarts or the dangers
of having a “hairy heart.” But he also reveals aspects of the Wizarding
world that his Muggle readers might find all too familiar, like
censorship, intolerance, and questions about the deepest mysteries in
life.
Altogether, this is an essential addition to our store of knowledge
about the world and the magic that J. K. Rowling has created, and a
book every true Harry Potter fan will want to have for their shelves.
This purchase also represents another very important form of
giving: From every sale of this book, Scholastic will give its net
proceeds to The Children’s High Level Group, a charity cofounded in
2005 by J. K. Rowling and Emma Nicholson MEP to make life better for
vulnerable children.
CHLG helps around a quarter of a million
children each year through its education activities, outreach work in
institutions, and a dedicated telephone and e-mail help line. For more
information, visit www.chlg.org.
J. K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling is the author of the enduringly popular, era-defining Harry Potter book series, as well as several stand-alone novels for adults and children, and a bestselling crime fiction series written under the pen name Robert Galbraith.
The Harry Potter books have now sold over 600 million copies worldwide, been translated into 85 languages and made into eight blockbuster films. They continue to be discovered and loved by new generations of readers.
Alongside the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling also wrote three short companion volumes for charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, in aid of Comic Relief, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in aid of her international children’s charity, Lumos. The companion books and original series are all available as audiobooks.
Harry Potter Companion Books
Harry Potter Companion Books consists of 3 total works. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Harry Potter
