Review – The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 128 pages
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Release Date: March 14, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1338125689
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone (Part of the Harry Potter World)
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5 stars

“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 know and love, reading them gives new insight into the wizarding world.”

This is a collection of five children’s tales set in the Harry Potter world. “The Tale of the Three Brothers” is the one most referenced in the Harry Potter series. I enjoyed reading these, they provide some good background for the Harry Potter world.

The stories themselves are very short. After each story there are notes made by Albus Dumbledore; these notes have footnotes in them as well. In most case Dumbledore’s notes are more extensive than the story itself.

My favorite of the whole bunch was “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart”. However, all of the stories were decent.

Overall this is a must read for Harry Potter fans. It adds quite a bit to the background of the Harry Potter world. I enjoyed reading this and my son enjoyed it as well.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge