The Tales of Beedle the Bard

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Based on 2 reviews
Kids say
Based on 15 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Tales of Beedle the Bard, by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, is an alleged wizarding classic mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The collection offers four child-friendly and enjoyable tales and one gruesome on, plus commentary by Hogwarts Professor Albus Dumbledore, and an introduction and illustrations by Rowling. In the gruesome tale, a man cuts out a woman's heart, licks and strokes it, then cuts out his own heart -- and there's an illustration of this scene. There's also a fatal duel, a throat-slitting, and a suicide.
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What's the Story?
THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD is a collection of wizarding fairy tales that played a crucial part in the plot of the final book of the Potter series: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It consists of five short stories, with commentary on each by Albus Dumbledore and introduction, illustrations, and notes by J.K. Rowling.
Is It Any Good?
Rowling certainly has the magic touch, and for the most part, this literary trifle is a delight. It shows her wicked humor, the depth and complexity of the world she created, and even some pungent skewering of our own world, morality tales in general, the egregious work of the woman who tried to sue her, and her critics. About half of the book is Dumbledore's commentary, which, with its many references to events and elements in the Harry Potter series for fans to catch, will bring joy to hearts that have been forlorn since the final book was finished.
Unfortunately this collection, which is accessible to even the youngest fans, is marred by one overly gruesome story ("The Warlock's Hairy Heart." But for older kids, reading these stories, catching all the references, and fitting it into the world in which they love immersing themselves will be an all-too quickly finished pleasure. From the book: "At once there came a loud clanging and banging from his kitchen. The wizard lit his wand and opened the door, and there, to his amazement, he saw his father's old cooking pot. It had sprouted a single foot of brass, and was hopping on the spot in the middle of the floor, making a fearful noise upon the flagstones. The wizard approached it in wonder, but fell back hurriedly when he saw that the whole of the pot's surface was covered in warts."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the wizarding world details in The Tales of Beedle the Bard. How much of it was familiar? What details were new to you?
What's fun about going back in to Harry Potter's world outside of a Harry Potter book?
What did you think of the violence in the story
Book Details
- Author: J. K. Rowling
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Arthur A. Levine
- Publication date: December 4, 2008
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 111
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love Harry Potter
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