The Tales of Beedle the Bard

this book I found was a quick read took about fifteen to twenty minutes i bought this out of support to one of my favorite series and author. If you like the Harry Potter series you would definetly want this book and the two others that accompany it to compleate the series

I bought this book, before I began to read the HP series. Actually LONG, LONG before.
I thought that this book was very good, I found that they were good bedtime stories that're dark, and gripping. Though, at the same time, they can be read to adults, and children alike.
Maybe "The Tales Of Beedle The Bard" as I have noted in other reviews, and somewhat agree with myself, is not as actionpacked, or as gripping as the HP books. Well of COURSE IT ISN'T!
The Tales of Beedle The Bard, isn't meant to be a suspensefull, gripping, actionpacked novel. It's meant to be a compendium of as I said before, dark, and compelling fairy tales that take place in the Wizarding World.
So In short, i'm not dissapointed at all, she delivered exactly what she was meant to deliver, a good collection of interesting, witty, and edgy fairy tales. Though I was able to recognise one or two of the stories from tales that I've already heard, I still find it very good and amazingly original.
This is definitly going to stay on my bookshelf for decades to come.
And I must say, it's probably one of the most suspensefull collection of fairy tales that I've ever read.

These stories are so creative and ....just... special. each story is a companied by notes written from Dumbledore to help the reader understand the stories to greater depth.

Quick little read. A good one for taking with you to appointments that require you sitting in a waiting room. The stories are cute and nice a short but not the engrossing work that we have all come to expect from Rowling. Worth a look at but not fantastic.

This book is pretty much to Harry Potter as the special feathures are to any movie. It is a tiny book (took less than an hour to read) and in it are 5 little fables from the wizarding world. They are very similar to our fables in a way, but have their own magic and lessons. Dumbledore then comments on each story afterwards and JKR puts in her foot notes as well. The book is slightly entertaining and well worth the time to read it, as it only takes a short time to breeze through it. I see that it is a charity book, so for that reason i would say buy it to look nice in your collection, but other than that it is a HUGE waste of money. Also i thought that JKR could have done a lot better on it, but i guess maybe she just didn't have the time. This book makes me want to scout around used book stores for the other supplemental material of the HP world (the quidditch and fantastic beasts books) but only for the athetics of it sitting next to my novels. I'd say if you can borrow the book go for it, unless you want to donate (but who knows how much) to the charity, in which case buy it.

It seems to me that this book might have been intended for readers that had hard time letting go of Harry Potter series. I, for once, am one of these people.
Of course, none of the mystery, nor gripping suspense, that we are accustomed to from JK Rowling writing, can be found on these pages.
However, in itself, it is a collection of tales that is consistent with the magic world created by the author, keeping imaginary on the verge of reality.
In my opinion, this book can be a good addition to the series.

This is basically a book of 5 short stories, or fairy tales. After each story is told, there is a written interpretation and background information added by Albus Dumbledore.

Each story describes a lesson and a life value that each wizard/witch must learn. One story called "The Warlock's Hairy Heart" is quite disturbing, but Albus explains it's importance.

Read more at:
http://justkickinit.ca/2009/07/the-tales-of-beedle-the-bard-by-j-k-rowling/

This piece read like a Tolkienesque fairy tale (or five). These five (very) short stories, each accompanied by Albus Dumbledore's further explanation, were certainly lively enough to capture anybody's imagination. Not nearly as dark as the Harry Potter series, it does manage to add something to the Potter books, especially the last tale about the three brothers. Quick to finish too, my kids enjoyed one of the pieces as a fast bedtime story.

I enjoyed this. I read this before wrapping it up as a gift for my 12-year-old neice in about 1 hour. I enjoyed the tales but most especially, enjoyed the insights of Dumbledore after the tales. It was great to read about some of the details that were referrenced from the Harry Potter series. A definite must read for Harry Potter fans if you want to be enlightened of a few Potter details.

Who would've known that there would be actually fairy tales in the world of Harry Potter! I really loved reading this book, though i wished J.K. Rowling woud include more tales so i can enjoy it even more. Overall, this is Rowling's excellent way to make a departure from the Potterverse.

right so extremely great addition to any avid harry potter fan! it's a great companion to the series. the story itself is average, but i really enjoyed reading the actual story of the tale of the three brothers. very good!

A very short collection of five short fairy tales that are a part of the Harry Potter universe. They have no connection to Harry Potter except that these tales would have been told to children in his world as the first sentence indicates. The stories are cute, nothing spectacular, but certainly cute and well-worth a read for Potter fans. The best part of the book is that each tale is followed by a Commentary chapter by Professor Dumbledore. These are probably more interesting that the tales themselves. My favourite of the tales was The Warlock's Hairy Heart, probably because it stood apart from the others because it is dark and gruesome while the others are light-hearted.

Overall, a cute little book, nothing terribly special, but certainly a fun read for fans. Younger children will appreciate the fairy tales while older children/teens will be more inclined to appreciate the Dumbledore commentary. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you won't regret the hour or so it takes to read the book.

I think what I liked best about this book is how each "tale" is accompanied by Albus Dumbledore's commentary and analyses. Dumbledore's one of my fave characters, so I'm overjoyed whenever we learn anything new about him at all. To have the opportunity to read his views on the morals of the tales and the nature of human beings, and to witness his lovable eccentricities and kookiness through footnotes is simply way too wonderful, and I love love love JKR for including these.

My 2 faves are "The Fountain of Fair Fortune" and "The Tale of the Three Brothers". The former ends in a way that made me really happy b/c unlike real life, the outcome is fair. The solutions to the challenges are interesting, the characters are endearing even though we don't get to know them that personally, and 3 of the 4 protagonists are also strong women, which obviously makes me extremely glad. Also, Dumbledore's comments on how Lucius Malfoy apparently took great umbrage at this tale made me giggle loudly while I was still on the bus, and I keep wanting to re-read the notes.

It's not surprising that I loved "Three Brothers" - not only b/c it plays such a pivotal role in Deathly Hallows and HP canon, but also b/c it's the classic fairytale of a quest being undertaken by 3 people [who're usually brothers], with the wisest and humblest [and often overlooked] individual winning in the end. I like to think I'd be smart enough to choose the Third Hallow if I were ever presented with the choice, but like Dumbledore so eloquently puts it at the very end,

--- "But which of us would have shown the wisdom of the third brother, if offered the pick of Death's gifts? Wizards and Muggles alike are imbued with a lust for power; how many would resist 'the Wand of Destiny'? Which human being, having lost someone they loved, could withstand the temptation of the Resurrection Stone? Even I, Albus Dumbledore, would find it easiest to refuse the Invisibility Cloak; which only goes to show that, clever as I am, I remain just as big a fool as anyone else." ---

JKR is a genius. And so is dumbledore! ♥ She includes a lot of information about wandlore in Dumbledore's notes, which was incredibly interesting as well.

As for the other 3 tales, "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" will make you shake your head at the wisdom of fathers and the stupidity of sons, "The Warlock's Hairy Heart" will leave you feeling quite unsettled and horrified at the lengths certain people will go to [easily my 3rd favourite from the book], and "Babbity Rabbity and Her Cackling Stump" will have you laughing at the antics of silly politicians.

I enjoyed this book for what it was, a book of fairy tales. Like "muggle" fairytales they all have a moral to them. I would have no hesitation reading these stories to my grandkids, with the exception perhaps of The Warlock's Hairy Heart, which reads more like a Grimm's fairytale and not necessarily for young children, but older children will like it. From my point of view, I enjoyed the comments taken from the "notes" of Dumbledore on the tales themselves, and how they tie in with witchcraft as in the Harry Potter books. All in all it was an enjoyable read, one I could read over a period of time, one tale after another, and I especially appreciate that it is also a worthy fundraiser. Thanks to J.K. Rowling for not dropping us totally!

I loved the fairy tales, especially "The Fountain of Good Fortune." The only downside was that the book is really thin; I was finished reading the book in an hour while I was cooking dinner, changing diapers, and doing everything else a Mom does. I do wish J.K. had written at least a round 10 stories, but you can't always get what you want, I suppose.

This book is the perfect companion to the Harry Potter series. At one time it explains everything that was going through Professor Dumbledore's mind, but at the same time it gives absolutely nothing away.

The whole idea of the book is that it was owned by Professor Dumbledore, who wrote comments after each of the three tales. Hermione Granger has translated the text from Ancient Runes into English and Professor McGonagall allows it to be published. It goes along the same lines as the text books that J.K Rowling released previously in the series.

The tales are legitimate and believable and not to mention oddly inspiring. They are ideas that are crucial to the series (as explained in the comments by Professor Dumbledore) and seemed to have been forgotten, or ignored, by the wizarding race, which makes them all the more relevant.

All in all, the Tales of Beedle the Bard is an excellent book that compliments the Harry Potter series wonderfully without spoiling anything for future readers.

I was a little skeptic at first about this book but when I read it my opinion changed. This book contains interesting fairy tales this is a good book because it immersion you even more in to JK Rowling's Harry Potter world. I especially liked the commentary by Dumbledore after each story it helped you understand the stories even more. Overall this is a good book.

As an aspiring children's author I can see that the stories are well thought out and delivered. Good book, a must for Harry Fans. If you're looking for something as engrossing as HP novels then perhaps you're aiming a little too high with this book but... its a great read. Like the other charity books JK has done this one is surely a hit for kids and adults alike. Go for it and buy this book!

J.K. Rowling writes of 5 fairly tales where one can find both the obvious and hidden moral stories within. The stories, themselves, I found amusing (save "The Warlock`s Hairy Heart"). However, the afterthougths of Professor Dumbledore I found less inspiring.

The epilogue implies that proceeds from the sale of the book go towards the de-institutionalisation of children. I like the idea that Rowling is using her success in such a worthwhile manner. Although the amount of the donation is not clearly stated.

The idea behind the book appeals to me. I`m just not sure it lived up to my expectation. Therefore, my opinion remains...on the shelf...

Rowling never ceases to amaze me! She has such a great imagination. This book has 5 fairytales that are popular in the wizarding world. The tales have great morals! Also, after each tale there is an elaborate commentary from Dumbeldore himself, which really helps to understand the stories in greater depth.