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Additional Info on Previous Elder Wand Owners, Malfoy Family, Aberforth Dumbledore and More in New "Beedle the Bard" Book

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. Noting the material written 18 months before his death, Professor Albus Dumbledore is said to reveal ” 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.” Of particular interest are the new details we can expect to find regarding “Aberforth Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy and his family, 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.”

If you have not yet done so, be sure to check out in depth the new cover art by Mary Grande Pre on the Scholastic website, as well as see photos of the deluxe edition of the book here in our image galleries, along with the UK edition of the novel. Single High Res images of the US book cover can be seen via this link, the UK cover right here.

Again, all proceeds of this book, sales of which are expected to exceed 8 million dollars, will benefit the Children’s High Level Group. As noted before, there will be two editions of the book, a special Collector’s Edition and the Standard version both will be published December 4, 2008. Pre-orders for the book are available via our Cauldron Shop: Collector’s Edition, Standard Edition. The Collector’s Edition ($100 USD) will include the following: • All five fairy tales from the original The Tales of Beedle the Bard • Outer case disguised as a wizarding textbook from the Hogwarts library • Exclusive reproduction of J.K. Rowling’s handwritten introduction • 10 new illustrations by J.K. Rowling not included in the Standard Edition or the original handcrafted edition • Velvet bag embroidered with J.K. Rowling’s signature • Metal skull, corners, and clasp • Replica gemstones • Emerald ribbon

The Standard Edition ($7.59 USD) will have: • All five fairy tales from the original The Tales of Beedle the Bard • A new introduction by J.K. Rowling • Illustrations reproduced from the original handcrafted book • Commentary on each of the tales by Professor Albus Dumbledore