The tales of Beedle the Bard - J. K. Rowling

A spellbinding companion to the Harry Potter books, The Tales of Beedle the Bard contains five magical fairy stories from the wizarding world, each more bewitching than the last. This collector's edition features intricate illustrations by the author, J.K. Rowling, and notes by Hogwarts Headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore.

In turn, mysterious and mischievous, dark and delightful, these fairy tales abound with spine-tingling allusions to the Harry Potter stories - playing a pivotal role in Harry's epic quest to defeat Lord Voldemort. Indeed, inside readers will discover the compelling 'Tale of Three Brothers', a grim fable that holds the secret of the Deathly Hallows. Four further stories await: 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune', 'The Warlock's Hairy Heart', 'The Wizard and the Hopping Pot', and 'Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump'. Each tale has its own enchanting character, bringing surprise, laughter and the thrill of mortal peril.

Translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, this unique and special volume is introduced and illustrated by the enchanted pen of J. K. Rowling. Also included are notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by kind permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters' Archive.

'You've never heard of The Tales of Beedle the Bard?' said Ron incredulously. 'You're kidding, right?'
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is published in aid of the Lumos, an international children's charity founded in 2005 by J.K. Rowling. www.wearelumos.org

J.K. Rowling is best known as the author of the seven Harry Potter books, which were published between 1997 and 2007. The enduringly popular adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione have gone on to sell over 500 million copies, be translated into over 80 languages and made into eight blockbuster films. Alongside the Harry Potter series, she also wrote three short companion volumes for charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, in aid of Comic Relief and Lumos, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in aid of Lumos. J.K. Rowling collaborated with playwright Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany to continue Harry's story in a stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which opened in London in 2016 and is now playing worldwide. In the same year, she made her debut as a screenwriter with the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first in a series featuring Magizoologist Newt Scamander, which was inspired by the original companion volume. J.K. Rowling has also written a standalone novel, The Casual Vacancy, and is the author of the Strike crime series under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Both have been adapted for television. In 2020 J.K. Rowling returned to publishing for younger children with the fairy tale The Ickabog, the royalties from which she is donating to groups affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. She has received many awards and honours, including an OBE and a Companion of Honour for services to literature and philanthropy. She lives in Scotland with her family.

'The stories are simple, original, diverse, witty and wise ... This is a book for families to share ... a storytelling treat'
Books for Keeps