The Tales of Beedle the Bard

J.K. Rowling

Hundreds of years before Harry Potter was born, a magician named Beedle the Bard lived in England. Some of his fairy tales are still told to young witches and wizards. Here, Hermione Granger, has collected them in a new book for our pleasure. Hermione added a prize to this collection. In Dumbledore's archived papers she found work he had done a few years before he died. It was his thoughts and ideas about these stories. Head Master McGonagle allows Hermione to use his notes in this volume of fairy tales.

These tales are the wizarding world's equal of the Muggles' fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm. Not every one lives happily ever after. Morals come with the stories. And young magicians learn about the ethics of their craft more than the practice - just what a good fairy tale usually does.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard fits in well with the Harry Potter books. It's extremely easy for adults and a good challenge for the 10-year and up age group. I also found I could read it aloud to my 3-year-old granddaughter, although a page or so before we finished she wanted to go back to watching Sponge Bob Square Pants. We finished the story first.

J.K. Rowling keeps the proper fairy tale tone throughout the stories, then adds on Dumbledore's comments. Those give the reader more history about the world of wizards from Beedle's time through the present. Any kid (or adult) who likes Harry Potter will enjoy The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis