If you cannot go to Hogwarts, let Hogwarts come to you

Although not a necessary addition to everyone ’ s personal Harry Potter library, these two little books are quite interesting and a lot of fun to read. They are both quite short, totaling less than sixty five pages apiece, but they are wonderfully put together and made to look like copies of real books from the Hogwarts library. None other than Albus Dumbledore himself writes the introduction to each book, explaining how and why these books are being made available to Muggles for the first time and explaining how proceeds from each book go directly to a fund, set up in Harry Potter ’ s name by Comic Relief UK and author J.K. Rowling, which is dedicated to help children in need throughout the world.

Quidditch Through the Ages, penned by Quidditch expert Kennilworthy Whisp explains the ultimate sport of wizards from top to bottom, giving the centuries-old history of the game as it has evolved. First and foremost, he explains why wizards and witches employ brooms to fly on in the first place, and then he proceeds to give an account of the changing rules of the game from its early days of primitive baskets set atop poles to the standardized and world-sweeping format of today. Of most significance and interest is the story of how the Golden Snitch was introduced into the sport. Different strategies and maneuvers are named and explained, the thirteen Quidditch teams of England and Ireland are identified, some of the seven hundred types of fouls are explained, and some of the most memorable games and individual performances are detailed (including the Tutshill Tornados ’ Roderick Plumpton ’ s amazing snag of the Golden Snitch only three and a half seconds into a game back in 1921).

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander is a compendium of all the fantastic beasts currently known, from the Acromantula to the Yeti. Prior to the actual listings, Scamander explains the criteria by which some beings have come to be labeled beasts (it ’ s more complicated than you might think) and devotes some time to the obvious question as to why Muggles seem to spot such creatures only rarely. Each listing also carries the classification assigned each beast by the Ministry of Magic, which is important information given that these beasts range from the harmless to the controllable to the incredibly dangerous. Along with fascinating descriptions of the animals we have already encountered in the Harry Potter books, there are some real jewels of information included here, solving several Muggle mysteries such as that of the true identity of the Loch Ness Monster. Fantastic Beasts is a copy of Harry Potter ’ s own personal copy of the book, and its margins are dotted with little notes ranging from the mundane to the bitingly funny written by Harry, Ron, as well as Hermione. Now, if we could only get our hands on A History of Hogwarts; I ’ m sure Hermione has a copy they can use for the printing of a Muggle edition.

More fun for Latinate Potter fans

This volume follows on the heels of the same translator's Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis, and is as enjoyable a read as its predecessor. The book is, as would be expected, a quicker and easier read if you are already familiar with N's style: no convoluted Ciceronian periods, but a more anglicised syntax demonstrating a thorough command of vocabulary, grammar and idiom - a real tour de force. Some familiar vocabulary reappears of course: manubrium scoparum (broomstick), citrina fervescens (sherbet lemon, p166), ludus Caledonicus (golf, pp5, 58). Ingenious neologisms include vitritersoria (windscreen wipers, p57), quadrulas duplices panis (sandwiches, p65), aeronaves salientes inversa vi propulsae (jump jets, p98), Roentgeniani radii (X-rays, p117), baculum missile Antipodum (boomerang, p137), fervefactorium (kettle, p211) and libum transatlanticum baccarum conditura confertum (jam doughnut, p275).<br /><br />But it is the ingenuity of how the vocabulary is deployed which is the major source of enjoyment. Hence `Touchdown!' - terram habemus (p25); `Harry stepped over a pack of Self-Shuffling playing cards' - Harrius iit supra acervum chartularum lusoriarum Se Sponte Miscentium (p32); `freshly caught Cornish pixies' - pixii Dumnoniorum nuper capti (p80); `The minutes snailed by' - minuta cursu cochleae, ut ita dicam, praeteribant (p95). Nor are literary effects wanting: `Miserable, moaning, moping Myrtle' becomes Myrta maesta, maerens, miserabilis (p109), and, as in the previous book, couplets are used when appropriate:<br /><br />`Oh Potter, you rotter, oh what have you done?<br />You're killing off students, you think it's good fun':<br />quid scelus admisti, mihi dic, o pessime Potter,<br /> cui placet assiduo caedere discipulos? (p165, cf. p194)<br /><br />I spotted only a few typos (contahere, p30; dificillimum, p74, resposum p196, Voldemart p229, effeciebat p243, quiquaginta p249, inucundum p273), but these do not detract a jot from the pleasure this volume gives. I look forward to the appearance of Harrius Potter et Captivus Azkabani.

as good as it gets

if you can speak welsh and you love the hp books then buying this to acompany your english collection will be the best thing you did this year. an amzing story translated for the oldest language in europe.

Superb translation

I am not a particular Harry Potter fan, but the appeal of reading this book in Ancient Greek resulted in me rushing out to buy it! From what I can tell, the translation is superb and manages to give the story a definite Greek feel to it, without losing any of its original qualities. It was certainly a challenging read, even with a translation at my side, but I definitely think it was worth it. The book is ideal for learners of Ancient Greek as you will surely increase your vocabulary by reading it. There is also a certain satisfaction that you acquire from understanding such a complex language and I found myself feeling this a lot throughout the book. Unfortunately, I can't imagine there'd be a big demand for such a translation, but if you're mad on Harry Potter then it's worth just purchasing it to add to your collection. And those Greek experts who snigger at the idea of such a translation should really

Enjoyable for all ages

I love Stephen Fry's reading of this book. Although it is typically recommended for 9 years and up, my daughter, who is just five, is already hooked. Fry's clear reading makes the story easy to follow even for younger listeners.

Excellent Read, Poor Workmanship

Enjoyed this book very much. Even though I am English, I find reading Harry Potter (in English) tedious and boring.
In Spanish however it takes on a new dimension.
Excellent read, looking forward to the next one.

WRT the workmanship, this book fell apart (literally) after reading the first chapter. Spoilt the experience slightly as I had to carry a plastic bag around with me!

Hopefully a one-off as the other 3 I bought were fine.

I recommend this book to anyone not advanced enough for full-on novels but with a thirst for a more challenging read.

Learning Languages

I am reading the Danish, French, & Polish & with the French & Polish audio versions; J.K. Rowlings has made learning other languages a little easier. A very good story from this book to the last in the series.

Relaxing and great easy listening

Fantastic. If you like (or love) Harry Potter then this is the thing for you! Stephen Fry reads it wonderfully and brings the story to life. JK Rowling is a superb author and this is a magical book. I often draw or paint whilst listening to it and enjoy it immensely. It is also good if you don't really have time to sit down and open a book. You can do something else whilst listening to this, which makes it really not very time consuming.<br />Great Audiobook - 10/10!

Drink this goblet dry...

Rowling is on top form here. Ten pages in, I was hoping that it would never finish. The old caretaker, the 'One who cannot be named' and the eerie setting of an old house. It's great to see Harry maturing throughout the book, although I felt uneasy. But then I realised that was exactly what J K wanted. Great action, great character development, dark, and my favourite H Potter book yet. <br />

Good, but...

The story is the same as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone even though the title of the french version is not a direct translation. I am an A-Level student studying French and I found the book quite hard at first, but as time went on it got easier. However, beware! the book is written in the Past Historic tense which I had not been taught. It is a tense only used in literature and is never spoken so it has to be taught to children in French schools. The tense is quite easy to pick up as it is normally similar to the past participle.

I have learnt many not so useful words from reading it such as 'baguette magique'(magic wand) and 'hibou'(owl)and some useful ones too. Overall it is a very good book and I would recommend reading it to any french student who wishes to build up their vocabulary.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Audio

The book is really awesome. Don't get me wrong, I just like Harry. <br /><br />Anyway, I found this audio cd collection somewhere and I just can't stop listening to it. Stephen Fry's readings always give the books by J. K. Rowling a little kick. Once you start hearing the story read to you by Mr. Fry you read along, or follow, the text written by the acclaimed novellist.<br /><br />The film is coming out soon, but I think the filmmakers should have chosen an older person to play Dumbledore. Apart from that, the original cast glows like an on-glowing light.

Great book

Is what it is... Harry Potter in Irish. Bought this for my girlfriend, and she loved it, so if you're into the Irish language, then this is a great wee book, teaches you lots of new words you probably haven't heard of before!

In my opinion the best in the series

Brief Plot Overview:<br />Times are dark as famous mass murderer, Sirius Black, is on the loose. This notorious muggle killer is not only barking mad, but he was He-who-must-not-be-nameds' most loyal follower (or so we're lead to believe) and is seeking revenge for the fall of his master, in the form of murdering our hero, Harry Potter. <br /><br />Review:<br />This book is probably one of the best children's books I have ever read, not only does it bring together the plot so far in the exciting and dramatic way we've come to expect from Rowling, but it does so in an informative way and allows the reader to gain insight into the future instalments to come, which only engorges the thirst for more from this talented writer. <br /><br />Rowlings' style is well balanced and these books reek of careful planning from the start, there are no inconsistencies in story (and trust me I've tried to find them by re-reading) and everything works together like a well-oiled machine. <br /><br />The Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite out of the seven because it adds a human touch instead of a whizz-bang finale, by that I mean there is little magic involved in deciding the outcome of the book and it is based around argument, conversation, good old fashioned sneaking about and human decisions rather than an all out brawl with spells and incantations. <br /><br />Followers of the series will not be disappointed with the third instalment and (for those few who haven't swallowed the hype) are definitely recommended to fantasy readers who also enjoy a bit of good-old-English reality. The fact that the base-audience is children but adults all over the world read these books shows their versatility and ability to appeal to a wide range of audiences. <br /><br />I am not the first to say this and I definitely won't be the last, but Kudos to J.K.Rowling!

A Weekend of Wizards, Treachery, and Suspense!

Ok, I have to admit I've only just got around to reading this...I finally managed to borrow it!

I have read it in an evening & an afternoon, so probably 8-10 hours, and it was very hard to put down. Yes, it is darker, and there are some evil things afoot, plots, plans, and general badness & corruption. But the good bits were oh-so-good, and I was shouting at the characters on several occasions! Definitely worth a read, only problem I have now is getting my head out of that world, and back into reality!! Now, where did I put my wand...

A great ending to a fantastic series

In years to come, these books will be ranked along with the greats of child literature. A modern classic.