So I'm almost finished reading The Tales of Beedle the Bard and I must say that J.K. Rowling has not skimped on the imagination and creativity factor. Yesterday, someone asked me if it was possible to read this book without a prior knowledge of all things Harry Potter. Having read most of TTOBTB I can say yes, this one stands on its own. There are several hints and connections to HP, but you won't be completely lost if you've never read the 7 HP books.Despite some parents' apprehension to their children reading the HP series, I have always sung the praises of these books for their educational and entertainment value, excellent writing and lessons on morals and friendship. Those who have read the HP series will definitely notice a drastic change in J.K's vocabulary sophistication this time around. Some of the words that students might have to look up are:
- dittany
- tantamount
- malady
- benison
- assuage
- pantomime
- detractors
- hypocrisy
- gamboling
- aloof
- haughty
- mien
- sagacity
- mewling
- demise
- immense
- chagrin
- jeered
- prodigious
- sumptuous
- minstrel
- lament
- coax
- relinquish
- grisly
- invulnerability
- elixir
- simulacrum
- foolhardy
- futile
- lycanthropy
I will probably finish reading the book today. I'm sure there are more words that can be added to this list.
