The cover of the book is stamped "Property of Hogwarts Library." The names of the borrowers in the front of the book attest to its popularity among students at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In his foreword, Hogwarts School's Angus Dumbledore explains why he is allowing the book to be sold on behalf of Comic Relief U.K. and details the great difficulty he had in convincing the librarian, Madam Pince, that it should be made available to Muggles.
Kennilworthy Whisp has organized the book in chronological order, from the ninth century to the present day. The book is 56 pages long. It has ten chapters:
- The Evolution of the Flying Broomstick
- Ancient Broom Games
- The Game From Queerditch Marsh
- The Arrival of the Golden Snitch
- Anti-Muggle Precautions
- Changes in Quidditch Since the Fourteenth Century
- Quadditch Teams of Britain and Ireland
- The Spread of Quidditch Worldwide
- The Development of the Racing Broom
- Quidditch Today
As you have seen from my descriptions of these two books, J.K. Rowling does such a good job of establishing the reality of Harry Potter's world to the smallest detail that it is easy to accept these books as accurate and realistic in their content. Like Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages will make you and your children want to reread the sections of the Harry Potter books that relsate to the book. These books are not only enjoyable on their own for Harry Potter fans, but they will also encourage them to read the Harry Potter books they haven't read and reread and enjoy once again the books they have read. I highly recommend them. The two books are available in a boxed set. Compare prices. (Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic. 2001. ISBN: 9780439321624)
