The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Hogwarts Library) by J.K Rowling

Cover via Goodreads

Rated: 5 Stars

See my review for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 

I absolutely loved it! Every time I hold this little hardcover in my hands (and it’s right beside me at this instant) I always think to myself, “I’m holding a copy of one of the books mentioned in the series, one Harry, Ron and Hermione had! The one one book that was important in understanding the hallows. Eeeek!” It just wonderful, being a Potter-head I’m bound to feel that way.

I read The Tales of Beedle the Bard about a year after I had read the seven books and I was swept away with waves of nostalgia and the first time round, I will unashamedly admit that, I had actually cried a bit, particularly when I came to the part I read about the Second Wizarding War and when I read the bit that reminded us what Professor Dumbledore said about truth to his ‘favourite and most famous pupil.’ It was overwhelming in a way I can’t explain. The introduction was easily the best part of the book or maybe it would be the Professor Dumbledore’s notes at the end of each tale, followed by the tales themselves.

The Tale of Three Brothers was my most favourite of the stories, followed by The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, Bibbity Rabbity and her Cackling stump and finally; The Warlock’s Hairy Heart which kind of spooked me out in the end. The actual fountain I observed, after a second examination, had the mark of the Deathly Hallows at the bottom and I recognized some others as Egyptian and that it was a dragon that spouted the water.

Each of Beedle’s tales had a moral, making this collection an ideal bedtime read for little witches, wizards and muggles alike, perhaps with the exception of the Warlock, a story for much older children, so I must agree a little with Beatrix Bloxam even though the woman was clearly insane she got it right about with the Warlock which in short: was traumatizing for very young readers. A little more info on Mrs. Bloxam if I may:

Beatrix Bloxam was the author of the Toadstool Tales, a series of children’s books since banned because they have been found to cause nausea and vomiting.

– The Beatrix Bluxam Chocolate Frog Card on Pottermore.com

I can see why for there was an excerpt from her Toadstool Tales on her versions of three of the five of Beedle’s tales and they were all equally revolting. I really hope that I don’t get sued but here’s a part of Dumbledores’s notes you might find amusing:

The final part of Mrs. Bloxam’s pure and precious reworking of ‘The Wizard and The Hopping Pot’ reads:

” Then the little golden pot danced with delight – hoppitty hoppitty hop! – on its tiny rosy toes! Wee Willykins had cured all the dollies of their poorly tum-tums, and the little pot was so happy that it filled up with sweeties for Wee Willykins and the dollies!

  ‘But don’t forget to brush your teethy-pegs!’ cried the pot.

And Wee Willykins kissed and hugged the hoppitty pot and promised always to help the dollies and never to be an old grumpy-wumpkins again. “

Mrs. Bloxam’s tale has met the same response from generations of wizarding children: uncontrollable retching, followed by an immediate demand to have the book taken … and mashed to pulp.

(Page 18)

Bleh! Like I said, revolting.

I’m glad I’ve re-read The Tales of Beedle the Bard because there are bits and pieces that I can almost swear that I never read before! The proceeds gathered from purchasing this gem, or at least a part of it, will be donated to The Children’s High level Group, a worthy cause I was proud to contribute towards.

It would seem, after all, that the story of “The Boy Who Lived” is all over but, my friends, it is not. It lives on in each of us as we recall our memories reading, feeling and picturing, and as we re-watch those movies over and over again. I know that in my heart of hearts that Hogwarts will always welcome me back when I return.

Disclaimer: To be clear, the paragraph I had quoted on page 18 and the Beatrix Bloxam Chocolate Frog Card are the properties of J.K Rowling, not me. And by including them I hope to have successfully encouraged some of you, my readers, to get yourself a copy.

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