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Dec
11
Book Review: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
2008 at 2pm Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
Recently published December 4, 2008
Just in time for the holiday shopping rush, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling gives us The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a collection of short stories that are the wizard equivalent of a collection of fairy tales in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm.
In the introduction, Rowling tells us that The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which Harry Potter fans first heard about in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is a classic in the wizarding world and has been used to teach young wizards import lessons about morality and tolerance since it was written in the fifteenth century. This special edition was translated by none other than Hermione Granger, and accompanying each of the five stories are notes by Professor Dumbledore, left to Hogwarts in his will.
I won’t ruin the surprise by relaying details of the stories here, so I’ll simply say that fairy tale fans of all ages will enjoy this great collection. Rowling succeeds in making the collection work on many levels by giving us stories that children and adults alike will enjoy and relate to and by using Dumbledore’s notes to analyze the stories in greater depth and imbue them with additional meaning. Anyone who has read about the history of other fairy tale collections and who knows about the ways in which these tales are often changed throughout history will find these notes particularly interesting. They are a fun addition, and they provide us with an opportunity to revisit Dumbledore and his wry wisdom.
At 107 pages, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a quick and light read. I’d recommend it for all Harry Potter fans, and I think it would be a fun read for parents to share with their children, maybe even reading one story each night before bed.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard has been released for a limited printing (which means it won’t be perpetually available like the other HP books), and all proceeds go to the Children’s High Level Group. Listed at $12.99 but on sale virtually everywhere, this would make a great stocking stuffer or holiday gift.
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I’ve been wondering about this one. I heard it was meant to target a younger audience. Would you agree?
I think young readers will enjoy the fairy tales themselves, but the notes from Dumbledore are clearly intended for older readers. There’s something for everybody.
I didn’t realize it was limited. I’ll have to get to the bookstore tomorrow.
I really liked this one! I had to hunker down and read the whole thing the day it came out. This was no great feat, of course — it was short. But it was fun to return to Dumbledore and the world of Harry Potter for one night!
Gotta have it. Must, must round out the HP collection, you know.
I’m fairly jealous that you have this. I’m going to have to use one of my gift certificates to grab it.
My copy is waiting on me at the library now.
This might make a good Christmas gift for hubby. Thanks for the review.
I saw this today and was debating whether to get it. I think that I will now. Thanks for the review!
I definitely want to get this one!
Thanks for the review! I haven’t read any of the harry potter books yet (ahhh! I know silly!) I am intrigued by them but just haven’t picked them up.
I know I’m getting this for Christmas (the box it shipped in from Amazon actually had the title printed on the OUTSIDE of the box AND said “Keep out Muggles!”, which kind of ruins the surprise just a little bit, doesn’t it? So much for being inconspicuous!), and I’m really excited. After just finishing a re-read and a review of Deathly Hallows, it will be nice to read the other tales. Personally, I’m excited for “Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump”!
I hope somebody puts this one in my stocking this year!
Of the 3 we ordered for our family – one of the collector’s editions arrived with the spine printed upside down. I wonder if ours is the only one.
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I have an upside down/backwards copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was worth anything? My family and I are needing to sell it to pay some things off.