YOUNG READERS (A review of QTtA and FB&WtFT)

[Denise R]

YOUNG READERS
Any property as popular as Harry Potter is bound to have tie-ins.  There have been calendars, puzzles, games, and those strange little collectible stones.

But none of them is as charming and amusing as the two little companion books author J.K. Rowling has created.  These titles, short as they are, flesh out parts of Harry's world, and Potter fans will love them.

Quidditch Through the Ages by Rowling alter-ego Kennilworthy Whisp, and Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, are being released by Scholastic for 3.99 each.  The net proceeds will go to charity.

The books are referenced in the Potter titles and are meant to look as though they came directly from the magical world.  Quidditch Through the Ages, a history of the wizarding world's most popular sport, is reproduced from a copy in Harry's school library.

Fantastic Beasts, a duplicate of yuong wizard Harry's own textbook, categorized all kinds of magical creatures.  It's covered with notes and comments from Harry and his friends, just like a child's schoolbook would be--an endearing touch from Rowling and a clever way to remind readers about his adventures.

Quidditch Through the Ages is a thorough telling of the game's history, its spread throughout the world and all the major teams.  It has a section about the racing brooms used in the sport, but unfortunately omits the Firebolt Harry uses, perhaps because that top-of-the-line broom is such a recent addition.

Rowling has written both titles with the same humor and wit she's brought to her other books.  They are amazingly imaginative; too bad they aren't longer.

The book proceeds are going to a fund  established by Comic Relief U.K.  That organization, not affiliated with the United States charity of the same name, will use the money for children's causes.


Deepti Hajela
Associated Press
Copied from the Akron Beacon Journal, page D5, 
Issued March 18, 2001

            ~Dee~
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