Books : Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Nice warm-up
There isn't too much to say about this slender volume. J.K. Rowling wrote this book in 2001 (along with Quidditch Through the Ages) as a companion to her enormously popular Harry Potter series, as well as to benefit the British charity Comic Relief (not related to the American charity of the same name). The book is presented as one of Harry's textbooks, complete with notations and scribbles by himself and his friends. After a long and quiet amusing forward by "Albus Dumbledore," the book presents an alphabetical listing of many of the magical beasts and creatures that inhabit Harry Potter's world. The book is mostly played for fun, but it does offer a little more information about the creatures themselves and the history of Harry's world, something any hardcore fan of the series will certainly appreciate. I really picked this book up again for the first time since buying it in 2001 as a warm-up for a planned re-read of the entire series prior to the release of the final book, and it was nice to get a little more detail as I started my reading.

Rating:

- Don't Do It!
This has to be one of the most overpriced and under-satisfactory books ever. Nearly $20 for an ultra thin book the size of a Dr. Seuss story, completely devoid of pictures, but because it has Rowling's name on it, they feel compelled to overcharge the unknowing public. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK, and if you do, don't pay full price. Absolutely and completely NOT worth it.

Rating:

- Every Hogwarts student should own a copy
Ever wanted to learn more about FANTASTIC BEASTS but were afraid to open your "Monster Book of Monsters?" This handy little reference book will help you pass your Care of Magical Creatures class without the bites and scratches associated with the alternative.

Easy to use A-Z reference, with Misistry of Magic classification codes, and a special forward by Albus Dumbledore.

Please note that this copy once belonged to a previous 3rd year student, Harry Potter. Any information provided in the margins by Mr. Potter has not been authorized by Newt Scamander or by the Ministry of Magic.

Rating:

- Great book, but...
The one problem with this fabulous little book is that many of the creatures are difficult to envision without an illustration, of which there are very few (and when there are, they are merely black and white sketches.) It can be quite hard to tell if you're picturing the animal correctly. Fortunately for me, my favorite of the beasts is illustrated. This book definitely convinced me to get myself some Fwoopers--birds of African origin with vivid orange, yellow, green or pink plumage.

Rating:

- Short & Sweet
A quick, fun read filled with humor, wit and perhaps even some insights.

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