On the Bookshelf

The Tales of Beedle the Bard contains five richly diverse fairy tales, each with its own magical character, that will variously bring delight, laughter, and the thrill of mortal peril.

Additional notes for each story penned by Professor Albus Dumbledore will be enjoyed by Muggles and wizards alike, as the Professor muses on the morals illuminated by the tales, and reveals snippets of information about life at Hogwarts.

A uniquely magical volume, with illustrations by the author, J.K. Rowling, that will be treasured for years to come.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a magical set of stories written for young witches and wizards. Harry Potter fans will remember that The Tales of Beedle the Bard, particularly the final story The Tale of the Three Brothers, played a significant role in the final book. Now it has been published so that we mere Muggles can also enjoy the tales enjoyed by wizard children for centuries.

In the likeness of the tales of the Brothers Grimm, Professor Dumbledore reveals to us the ways in which these stories have evolved and been watered down over time for the coddling and moulding of impressionable young ones. Readers will greatly enjoy the tales of The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, The Warlock's Hairy Heart, Babbitty Rabbittyand Her Cackling Stump, and, of course, The Tale of the Three Brothers.

My favourite of these fairy tales has to be The Warlock's Hairy Heart. This grizzly tale of a warlock who believed love to be foolish and that his wealth and power to be of higher value and hence turned to the Dark Arts to ensure that he would never fall in love.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is an excellent addition to the Harry Potter collection. One word of warning, much like in choosing which version of Little Red Riding Hood to share with a child, parents may want to read ahead before sharing this book with their young children in case they feel that tales of dismembered hearts and encounters with death may rattle younger readers.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling as Newt Scamander
Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling as Kennilworthy Whisp
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Terra

If you have ever asked yourself where the Gold Snitch came from, how the Bludgers came into existence or why the Wigtown Wanderers have pictures of meat cleavers on their robes, you need Quidditch Through the Ages. This limited edition is a copy of the volume in Hogwarts School Library where it is consulted by young Quidditch fans on an almost daily basis.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to Comic Relief, who will use your money to continue improving and saving lives - work that is even more important and astonishing than the three and a half second capture of the Golden Snitch by Roderick Plumpton in 1921.

- Albus Dumbledore

Harry Potter fans will be able to appreciate this delightful companion book. Readers of the series will recognise it as one of the books read by Harry Potter and his friends throughout the series, to aid them with the wizarding sport of Quidditch.

 Quidditch Through the Ages takes you through the history of the sport, it's rules and regulations, and a variety of exciting and often dangerous manoeuvres. The best part of the book is where it describes various Quidditch teams from around the world. While it was great to discover that I have a local team, it is only a shame that neither Rowling nor her editor realised that it should be "Wollongong Warriors" rather than "Woolongong".

Perfect for anyone planning to convince their friends to don matching uniforms and run around the back yard on broomsticks (don't pretend that you have not at least wanted to try) but will mean little to anyone who has not yet read the actual Harry Potter series (or seen the movies).

Go the Wollongong Warriors! They'll wipe the floor with the Thundelarra Thunderers any day!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Terra

First off, I passed the driving test today! Finally! I am a big stress head and when it comes to test conditions I tend to get all a manner of nervous. Today was my third try and I managed to keep my nerves under control enough not to stuff up too much. This is great because I can finally drive my car around without having to drag dad along and I will be able to get to work more easily. No more having to rely on over crowded and always late buses! Oh, happy days!


From the Back Cover:
Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by an owl, taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The Reason: HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD!

It had been some years since I had last revisited the book that started a literary phenomenon. Doing so now it is easy to see how this book so easily enthralled and enchanted me as an eleven year old. Now, as an adult with my decade old copy of Philosopher's Stone (or Sorcerer's Stone if you are in the USA) falling apart in my hands, I find myself falling under Rowling's spell once more.

Rowling takes classic clichés, such as the orphan child raised by cruel relatives and discovering that he is somehow special, and breathes new life into them. She creates a world that is fantastic and magical and yet at the same time convincing us that it really could all exist just outside the realm of our (Muggle) perception.

Being more recently familiar with the later books in the series of seven I had forgotten just how delightful the first book really is. While the on going dark themes of the series, particularly death and racial segregation and good versus evil, are present in this first book they are veiled by Rowling's wit and humour and the innocence of the main characters in their youth. Without wanting to get too far ahead here in terms of coming reviews of the rest of the series, I have a great appreciation for the pace at which Rowling matures the series.

While there are groups out there that want to censor the series for various reasons (and I do so very much dislike people who call for the censorship of something that they have never read or just censorship in general, really), I say that fantastical magic, dark themes, and all, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a delightful read and safe for even younger readers with progression to the later darker books under parental guidance if necessary.

I really enjoyed revisiting this book for the Harry Potter reading Challenge and Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon. I am now really looking forward to a long overdue reread of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in the near future.


Terra

As if I actually need an excuse to read J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series again but Michelle's Harry Potter Reading Challenge seems like a pretty good one. The challenge runs from August 1st 2009 to July 31st 2010 with the goal to read the complete Harry Potter series:

1. Philosopher's Stone
2. Chamber of Secrets
3. Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Goblet of Fire
5. Order of the Phoenix
6. Half-Blood Prince
7. Deathly Hallows
   

One year seems like plenty of time to get through all seven books, especially considering that when each book first came out I would devour each within a day or two.

Definitely looking forward to doing this one.

Terra