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J.K. Rowling's Charity to Publish "Beedle the Bard" in December

Books
Posted by: Melissa
July 31, 2008, 11:00 AM

Update: The hi-res version of the USA artwork, with art by Mary Grandpre, is right here in our galleries and the UK cover right here!

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.

Pre-order now through our Cauldron Shop: collector's edition, standard edition.

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.”

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187 Comments

jem

this is great cant wait thanks JKR

Posted by jem on July 31, 2008, 03:06 PM report to moderator
Helyx Helyx

Thanks Jo! What a great Book to look forward to getting! I can’t wait to read the full tales, instead of guessing at them!

Posted by Helyx Helyx on July 31, 2008, 03:07 PM report to moderator
Johanna

Oh and very happy birthday Jo! Hugs & kisses!

Posted by Johanna on July 31, 2008, 03:07 PM report to moderator
tinagin

Woohoo! Totally buying this. I figured she would publish it eventually . The collectors edition cover looks very much like the ones she sold at auction months ago (to many people’s consternation, I remember a lot of nasty comments about that). Anyway, great news.

Posted by tinagin on July 31, 2008, 03:15 PM report to moderator
Elyzie

I too just ordered the collector’s edition. I was so relieved that it was ONLY $100. Even though that’s still a lot of money, it’s a good price. It could have been much worse, like if the edition size was smaller (like 1,000 pieces or something).

Thanks Amazon and Jo, and Happy Birthday! :) :)

Posted by Elyzie on July 31, 2008, 03:19 PM report to moderator
Wizengamut

Have just preordered my collector’s edition!! woohoooo

Posted by Wizengamut on July 31, 2008, 03:19 PM report to moderator
Leif Longbottom

What a great charity to choose. I’m definitely getting the delux edition.

Posted by Leif Longbottom on July 31, 2008, 03:22 PM report to moderator
Leif Longbottom

What a great charity to choose. I’m definitely getting the delux edition.

Posted by Leif Longbottom on July 31, 2008, 03:24 PM report to moderator
kiki

The Collector’s Edition is already #9 and Standard Edition is #16 on Amazon bestseller list!

Posted by kiki on July 31, 2008, 03:32 PM report to moderator
F.N.Owl

But the important question is…

Will there be a Jim Dale audiobook?

Posted by F.N.Owl on July 31, 2008, 03:32 PM report to moderator
Kiwi Mc I

Thank you so much for this J.K. Rowing, I thought we’d honestly have to wait another 10 years to get our hands on this

Posted by Kiwi Mc I on July 31, 2008, 03:33 PM report to moderator
hearttugger

More Harry to read?? So COOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!! Thanks, Jo, Professor Dumbledore and all involved… for your generosity and desire to bring The Tales to us. And thanks to Leaky for bringing this to our attention. You guys ROCK! I’m whipping out my credit card as I write this. Oh and I can’t forget…HAPPY BIRTHDAY to JO and HARRY!

Posted by hearttugger on July 31, 2008, 04:00 PM report to moderator
Brad

To someone’s question as to whether or not they can buy these only on Amazon… the Collector’s Edition is an Amazon Exclusive (I’m sure that was part of the negotiations, since they spent so much for the auctioned original), but the Standard version should be available at other online retailers and in stores. (In fact, BarnesandNoble.com already has it featured on their home page, too.)

Posted by Brad on July 31, 2008, 04:02 PM report to moderator
mursu

so cool, but I wish it was a bit cheaper! well, anyway, happy birthday to both Jo and Harry! My life would be a whole lot different without them.

Posted by mursu on July 31, 2008, 04:10 PM report to moderator
mursu

So cool, but I wish it was a little cheaper! Well, anyway, happy birthday to both Jo and Harry, my life would be so different without you!

Posted by mursu on July 31, 2008, 04:14 PM report to moderator
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