The Tales of Beedle the Bard

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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. (show less)

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Truly an exceptional and one of a kind children's book. The Tales of Beedle the Bard are as mind-boggling as Harry Potter's adventures. You can eve... (show more)

Truly an exceptional and one of a kind children's book. The Tales of Beedle the Bard are as mind-boggling as Harry Potter's adventures. You can even capture virtues like any other Muggle fairy tale. Hermione's translation is a satisfying work while the late Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore's commentaries really made me understand the essence of the stories.

The Wizard and the Hopping Pot
What a funny story this is! Imagine a very disturbing pot that hops on one leg and follows you around all day long! Now JK Rowling (or rather Beddle the Bard) has really done it. She really made an emphasis on stubborn, disobedient, and hard-headed people and what would happen to them if they continue being like that. Talk about karma.

The Fountain of Fair Fortune
Aka the Fountain of Youth minus the youth part. This tale shows that our fortune depends on us. It may only be right in front of us or right behind us. We don't have to travel far and wide and spend much of our money or our lives to search for what we want most. I like this story because it shows the value of friendship and trust. Even if you have only met a certain person recently, it takes an enormous amount of courage to trust that person with your whole life and it takes a lot of responsibility to take that trust. Do you get what I mean?

The Warlock's Hairy Heart
It's Romeo and Juliet with a twist. Honestly, I didn't like the story of the rich warlock and his arranged marriage. It's so gruesome and violent. Though it tells such a value: We cannot lock away our hearts forever.

Babbity Rabbity and Her Cackling Stump
LOL! It's like the Emperor's New Clothes with another twist! Tsk tsk to all those who are so obsessive that they look like fools obsessing about it. I really admire Babbity for her cunning display of her Animagi and her delightful use of it. This tale is one of my favorites on this book.

The Tale of the Three Brothers
or the story that got Harry closer to his discovery about Voldemort. I know that most Harry Potter fans who have read Deathly Hallows are pretty familiar with this tale. In my opinion, Beedle classified humans into 3 wizard brothers. The first one seeks powers. Second, immortality or the power to resurrect. Finally, the humble ones. Think about it, many politicians are like the first bro. The selfish and arrogant ones are the second. While those like the third brother are so rare. I agree with Dumbledore that even I am as foolish as those of the first and second bros. Lesson to learn: Humility goes along long way.
I've got to say that the Tale of the Three Brothers' the best one of all of Beedle's Tales!

If I ever have any children in the future, I plan to read this tales to them every night before they go to sleep. :D (show less)

by Linh Dalangin

No, it's a flop!

This book is pretty much to Harry Potter as the special feathures are to any movie. It is a tiny book (took less than an hour to read) and in it ar... (show more)

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In this lovely addition to the Harry Potter universe, Rowling gives us five fairy tales that witches and warlocks have read to their children through the ages. With special commentary provided by Albus Dumbledore, and illustrations by JKR herself. The one serious flaw with this book is that it's far too short. Frequently, less is more, but I suspect that many Potter fans will join me in wishing that Beedle's Tales had run to double digits rather than stopping at a handful.

by Lyford Beverage on Dec 15, 2008 at 07:49PM

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Just like "Quidditch Through the Ages" and "Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them", this is, within the Harry Potter series, a minor book, necessarily, a spin-off, one could say. The commentaries by Dumbledore that follow each tale are by far the best thing in the book and give new insights not only into his character but into the magical world as a whole, too. In this book, too, Rowling acknowledges that she has direct contact with the characters of her stories, just ... (show more)
Just like "Quidditch Through the Ages" and "Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them", this is, within the Harry Potter series, a minor book, necessarily, a spin-off, one could say. The commentaries by Dumbledore that follow each tale are by far the best thing in the book and give new insights not only into his character but into the magical world as a whole, too. In this book, too, Rowling acknowledges that she has direct contact with the characters of her stories, just like Tolkien, who, in LotR's appendix, describes how he the story was handed down to him. Such a detail, though of little interest for the majority of Potter fans, is actually highly interesting. Regarding the tales, they are mainly aimed at little children, who might enjoy them. Only the Deathly Hallows tale, however, has what it takes to endure in popular imagination and might be rightfully compared to Grimm, Anderson and other classical children writers. (show less)

by João Diogo Loureiro on Dec 09, 2008 at 12:20AM

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i had no idea this exhisted, but i am definitely getting it.
Shannon Beebe about 1 month ago
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