FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

Is your garden full of menacing horklumps? Well, you would never know, would you, being a Muggle and all. Horklumps are magical creatures and, as such, hidden away from prying Muggle eyes by The Ministry of Magic.

Until now, that is. Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has made Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them available to everyone, wizards, witches and Muggles alike. The book has long been required reading at Hogwarts. All students must take classes in the proper handling of the variety of beasts used in spells or kept as pets. Fantastic Beasts is also kept as a reference book in most wizarding households; families look to it frequently for advice in their daily interactions with magical creatures.

Now even Muggles can be as knowledgeable as Harry Potter and his wizard friends--although no-one will probably ever know as much as Hermione. This book focuses on the 75 most common and best known species of magical creatures. After the name of each beast, The Ministry of Magic's Perceived Dangerousness Classification is given. Some beasts, such as centaurs, are given the highest rating not because they are super aggressive, but because their intelligence means they must be treated with the utmost respect, as equals to humans. Some things to learn from Fantastic Beasts: the difference in appearance amongst types of dragons, the importance of safe hidden habitats and the many ways The Ministry of Magic keeps the existence of the beasts secret from Muggles.

And as for horklumps, don't worry if your garden is full of them. They only eat worms.

Play Fantastic Beasts Trivia!

   -- Reviewed by Adelaide Hayes

© Copyright 1998-2002, Kidsreads.com - All Rights Reserved.

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QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE AGES

Quidditch is more than just a sport--its an obsession for wizards and witches. Now Muggles can understand what all the fuss is about. Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore persuaded the school librarian to make copies of the much beloved, dog-eared, and slept with library edition of Quidditch through The Ages. He has made it available for the first time ever to Muggles, the majority of whom have never even seen a game played. And those that have undoubtedly don't recall--The Ministry of Magic takes many Anti-Muggle precautions, including casting Memory Charms on any Muggle who stumbled onto a pitch.

Information is given on how Quidditch has changed through the years, with letters and anecdotes from wizards and witches. You will also learn what the various positions on the team do. Want to know how Chaser, the position Angelina Johnson plays, is different from the position of Seeker, which is Harry Potter's place on the school team? Consult this book.

There is also a big section in Quidditch Through the Ages on the different teams throughout the United Kingdom, their history, jersey colors and key players. The teams of the main Quidditch playing countries around the world are also described. (I'll be rooting for the Fitchburg Finches from now on)

The final part of Quidditch Through The Ages is an explanation of the most difficult moves currently used by players of the game. Finally, Muggles can grasp the difficulty and artistry of The Wronski Feint. Both a how to manual and a history book, Quidditch Through The Ages is a must have for any enthusiast of the sport, and for Muggles who wish to connect with their wizard and witch brothers and sisters.

Play Quidditch Trivia!

   -- Reviewed by Adelaide Hayes

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