I already pre-ordered both of these...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=ms_sbrspot_4?ie=UTF8&docId=1000179911&pf_rd_p=421436201&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0JZT1E1VB85Q41Q3AC1R
J.K. Rowling's Charity to Publish "Beedle the Bard" in December
Today, on J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter's birthdays, JKR has announced that her children's charity, Children's High Level Group, will publish The Tales of Beedle the Bard on December 4, in an exclusive deal with Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon.
According to a post on JKRowling.com, the book will have commentary by Dumbledore (it was "discovered in his papers after his death," including historical notes, personal reminisces, and insights into the most mysterious branch of magic, wand lore). The tales were "translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger" and have illustrations by J.K. Rowling.
JKR: "There was understandable disappointment among Harry Potter fans when only one copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard was offered to the public last December. I am therefore delighted to announce that, thanks to the generous support of Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon (who bought the handwritten copy at auction) – and with the blessing of the wonderful people who own the other six original books - The Tales of Beedle the Bard will now be widely available to all Harry Potter fans. Royalties will be donated to the Children's High Level Group, to benefit institutionalised children in desperate need of a voice. The new edition will include the Tales themselves, translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, and with illustrations by me, but also notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by generous permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters' Archive."
The book's proceeds will go to de-institutionalize children. Amazon will produce a maximum of 100,000 collector's edition copies which will sell for about $100, and will aim to closely replicate the look and feel of the original copies that J.K. Rowling gave to six people closely associated with Potter last year.
All proceeds, expected to garner about 4 million pounds, will be donated to CHLG.
Emma Nicholson of the CLHG says: "We are so thrilled to be publishing such an exclusive and special book. This unique project will raise vital funds for the work of CHLG, to help us change the lives of hundreds of thousands of marginalised and institutionalised children who are living in appalling conditions, and make sure that no future generation suffers in this way."
Very tempted by that Collector's Edition version.
I've just ordered mine.
If you aren't convinced to buy this yet.. here are some more details.
Scholastic, the US publishers of the Harry Potter novels, have updated their website with additional information regarding some of the content to be found in the new "Tales of the Beedle the Bard" book by J.K. Rowling due December 4 of this year.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers' attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger's new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot," "The Fountain of Fair Fortune," "The Warlock's Hairy Heart," "Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump," and of course, "The Tale of the Three Brothers." But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.
The stories are accompanied by delightful pen-and-ink illustrations by Ms. Rowling herself, featuring a still-life frontispiece for each one. Professor Dumbledore's commentary—apparently written some eighteen months before his death—reveals not just his vast knowledge of Wizarding lore, but also more of his personal qualities: his sense of humor, his courage, his pride in his abilities, and his hard-won wisdom. Names familiar from the Harry Potter novels sprinkle the pages, including Aberforth Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy and his forebears, and Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington (or "Nearly Headless Nick"), as well as other professors at Hogwarts and the past owners of the Elder Wand. Dumbledore tells us of incidents unique to the Wizarding world, like hilariously troubled theatrical productions at Hogwarts or the dangers of having a "hairy heart." But he also reveals aspects of the Wizarding world that his Muggle readers might find all too familiar, like censorship, intolerance, and questions about the deepest mysteries in life.
Altogether, this is an essential addition to our store of knowledge about the world and the magic that J. K. Rowling has created, and a book every true Harry Potter fan will want to have for their shelves.
This purchase also represents another very important form of giving: From every sale of this book, Scholastic will give its net proceeds to The Children's High Level Group, a charity cofounded in 2005 by J. K. Rowling and Emma Nicholson MEP to make life better for vulnerable children.
CHLG helps around a quarter of a million children each year through its education activities, outreach work in institutions, and a dedicated telephone and e-mail help line. For more information, visit www.chlg.org.
Here are the covers
First one is the US edition
Second one is the UK edition
Third one is the Exclusive Amazon.com Collector's Edition.
Did you guys get your book yet.. came out last week. I got both of mine today.. well I got two packages from amazon.com at home waiting for me. I can't wait to read them.
I'm slightly tempted to get it since it's supporting charity and more JK Rowling is better than none! I wasn't overly impressed by her first two mini-books but I think this might be better as it's a collection of stories rather than stuff about Quidditch or strange creatures.
I'll pick it up sometime. Let me know what all of you think after you read it.
Got both yesterday and guys I have to say that the collectors edition is well worth the $100 buck price tag. It's one of the most beautiful books I have every seen. It's so hard to describe but when I opened it last night I was truly amazed.
I'm kind of more interested in the actual content for this one I think.
Quote from: Rico on December 10, 2008, 09:11:02 AM
I'm kind of more interested in the actual content for this one I think.
Well of course I am more interested in the content, but the presentation and detail is very impressive.
I ordered mine but had to cancel it last month when my hours were threatened at work. It does look like an amazing collectors item.
Started reading this. Cute little stories - nothing too heavy. Quick reading.
Got this for Chrismas, but I haven't picked it up to read yet.