The Tales Of Beedle The Bard by J.K. Rowling | Illustrated Edition by Chris Riddell

Book Review #223

Title: The Tales Of Beedle The Bard

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Fiction

Format: Hardcover

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

Pages: 160

A spectacular full-colour illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling’s fairytale classic The Tales of Beedle the Bard, with breathtaking illustrations by all-round genius and national treasure Chris Riddell.

The dazzlingly brilliant Chris Riddell brings his magical illustration talents to J.K. Rowling’s gloriously inventive The Tales of Beedle the Bard in a fully illustrated colour edition of this essential classic for Harry Potter fans. Translated from the runes by Hermione Granger, the volume includes ‘The Tale of the Three Brothers’, familiar to readers of Harry Potter from the crucial role it played in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Mischievous and witty, these five rollicking tales are a deeply satisfying read in the tradition of all great fables and fairytales. Kindnesses are rewarded and selfishness shown to be the ruin of many a wizard. Burping cauldrons, hairy hearts and cackling stumps are met along the way. Each of the tales is accompanied by a deliciously subversive and insightful commentary by Professor Albus Dumbledore, all brought vividly to life with Riddell’s trademark wit and elegance.

Former Waterstones Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell is the only illustrator to have won the Kate Greenaway Medal three times, and is brought together here for the first time with one of the world’s best loved storytellers in this new edition of J.K. Rowling’s fairytale classic.

Much loved by generations of witches and wizards since they first appeared in the fifteenth century, this beautifully illustrated edition is set to become a firm favourite at bedtime in non-magical households the world over.

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

The illustration is so beautiful that I can help but to feel mesmerised and stare at them while I read. The stories were all short, precise but has a lot of moral values that can make one wonder, understand and try to be better.

My favourite story is still The Tale Of The Three Brothers which had its own scene in the last Harry Potter book. Rereading this story again feels so familiar that it just makes me happy. The other stories were great and meaningful too that it suddenly makes me feel nostalgic for all the children’s book that I used to read in the past. Even though this one has magical elements in it, the message that the author is trying to relay is still very much the same.

The commentary of Albus Dumbledore were delightful, educational and very thought through. I would never have thought about all that if I was only just reading the stories.

This was overall a fun and short read, especially with the gorgeous illustrations that made my reading experience a hundred times better.