In fact, one of the books, Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, can be found in just about every household in Harry's world that practices wizardry. The two Hogwarts School reference books will appeal to those who have read one or more of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Here's a closer look at these fascinating books.
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them
This is not just any copy of Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them. It is Harry's personal copy. From the "Property of Harry Potter" label on the cover to the handwritten notes by Harry (and a few of his friends) throughout the book, it is obvious that this is a much studied book.Rowling's Newton ("Newt") Artemis Fido Scamander is the author of the book. Although he is now retired, Scamander had a distinguished career in the Ministry of Magic in the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, including work with the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau. His many accomplishments in his study of Magizoology led to his being awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class, in 1979. In his foreword to the book, Hogwarts School's Albus Dumbledore explains both the value of the book and why it is being offered to Muggles for the first time.
The book contains descriptions of seventy-five species. Each description contains a Ministry of Magic (M.O.M.) classification, ranging from "X" for "Boring" to "XXXXX" for "Known wizard killer / impossible to train or domesticate." Harry Potter has added the following description to the XXXXX classification, "or anything Hagrid likes." Each entry also contains a physical description of the beast, where it can be found, and information about its relationship with wizards. The listings are in alphabetical order. Footnotes provide additional information.
This is an entertaining book that will probably lead readers back to the Harry Potter books to reread all or parts of them now that they have additional background information on many of the beasts that appear in the books.
