This is a collection of five stories written for young witches and wizards - akin to fairy tales - used by the students at the famous Hogwarts School. The tales are commented on (in short notes) by the famous Professor Albus Dumbledore.

The idea behind these tales is similar to the traditional fairy tales we know so well; to have a moral message for all young witches and wizards. They are constructed as typical tales, but the main protagonist is a witch or wizard who uses magic to try to gain an advantage or riches, and they succeed or fail depending on the moral message they are trying to put over.

These stories were purported to be written by Beedle the Bard in the fifteenth century, and have been translated from the original runes by Harry Potter's friend Hermione Granger.

The Wizard and the Hopping Pot is a particularly amusing tale about a young wizard who, on inheriting his father’s lucky cooking pot, decides not to be as generous with his magic potions and cures as his father had been. But with each ungenerous act he performs the pot develops annoying noises and bangs, all related to the cures the young wizard refuses, until it makes him think about his actions, and rethink his attitude and thus become generous wizard like his father.

Dumbledore's comments highlight the moral of the tale, and add some history, as well as quoting a children's version written by Victorian witch rather afraid of the traditional versions minor violence!

JK Rowling has produced a delightful set of fairy tales and in that tradition they are scary, gruesome and violent in almost equal measure. The comment from Dumbledore, and in some cases JK herself, add to the authentic feeling of this book, which is illustrated throughout with tiny page decorations and some vignettes by the author. A gift book delight all Harry Potter fans.