Watch out, spoilers ahead!
This year, introduce a little magic into your household with a fantastic new release! The Tales of Beedle the Bard is now available on Audible.
A regular evening for a young wizard or witch may involve practicing spells, studying potions, and doing the dishes (if they could cast Scourgify, the scouring spell for cleaning up). If they’re lucky, someone may even come home through the Floo Network with a big bag of Cornish pasties and Butterbeer. The best part of the day for a young witch or wizard, however, might be getting to hear a story or two -- from The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a staple in wizarding households – or so we’re told.
So who is Beedle? He was a Yorkshire wizard living in the 15th century. We’re told young witches and wizards are all familiar with the collection of fairy stories in The Tales of Beedle the Bard, growing up with them as bedtime stories in the same way Muggle children hear all about Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
In more recent editions, you’ll find notes from Albus Dumbledore who provides wise and whimsical commentary on each of the stories, and – collaborating with Pottermore Publishing - Audible is proud to present you with a unique audio experience of these classic tales.
To celebrate the occasion, this post will catch you up on all you need to know about Beedle the Bard and his significance in both the Harry Potter series and the Wizarding World. If you have young ones at home – or are simply young at heart – you’re going to love this title.
Intro to The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Where Muggle households might cozy into bed while listening to A.A. Milne or Beatrix Potter, young wizards and witches have The Tales of Beedle the Bard. These fairy tales are instructive, entertaining, engrossing and full of adventure and trickery.
Some tales are cautionary, others inspire and the rest are just pure, magical fun. Throughout, the tales teach helpful lessons on how to be a good person through grace, kindness, common sense and creativity.
Now, through Audible, these tales are available to listen to with loved ones and friends, or to enjoy by yourself on a quiet afternoon.
How Do The Tales of Beedle the Bard Fit into the Harry Potter Stories?
For anyone unfamiliar with the Harry Potter stories, what follows are a few big spoilers that put The Tales of Beedle the Bard into context. Read on for an explanation, or skip this section and avoid the spoiler zone!
The Tales of Beedle the Bard was first introduced in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series – specifically in the final title, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
With Voldemort’s hold over the Wizarding World growing ever fiercer, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley work to bring him down. But they can’t do this without a little help. Luckily, Hermione is in possession of a book – you guessed it, The Tales of Beedle the Bard — which includes, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.”
For anyone who hasn’t listened to the audiobooks, we won’t spoil it for you just yet… let’s just say that there’s more to this story than a simple bedtime tale.
About Beedle the Bard: Tales & Characters
Who is Beedle the Bard?
Not much is known about Beedle the Bard himself. He was from Yorkshire – of that much we’re sure – and he lived sometime in the 15th century. Only a woodcut remains to give us a sense of his appearance: he had an impressive, luxuriant beard. From his stories, we can surmise that he was sympathetic toward Muggles, mistrustful of dark magic and that he values kindness, common sense and ingenuity.
The Tales in The Tales of Beedle the Bard
The Wizard and the Hopping Pot
The Wizard and the Hopping Pot tells the story of a benevolent old wizard who uses his magical powers to secretly help Muggles. When the generous old man passes away, however, he leaves his magical brewing pot to his hard-hearted son.
The story follows the son’s trials with the pot that has a unique way of punishing him when he turns away from the townspeople who need the pot’s healing powers the most.
The Fountain of Fair Fortune
The Fountain of Fair Fortune tells the story of a fountain where, once every year, one person is able to bathe and have good luck forevermore.
Meet Asha, Altheda, Amata and Sir Luckless – three witches and a Muggle knight who are down on their luck and wish to reach the Fountain. Each witch has her own reason to pursue endless luck. Asha suffers from an incurable illness, Altheda is powerless and impoverished, and Amata is left by her beloved. The witches are faced with three challenges on their way to the fountain which, in the end, reveals its true power in unexpected ways.
The Warlock's Hairy Heart
The Warlock’s Hairy Heart is the most gruesome tale in the collection. The fable tells the story of a young and handsome warlock who swears an oath to never fall in love, and uses the power of Dark Magic to make sure of this.
When the young warlock hears two servants gossiping about his lack of a love life one day, however, he embarks on a journey to find the perfect witch to marry.
He thinks he’s lucky when he finds a witch the very next day, but she mistrusts him. This unfortunately leaves the warlock with no choice but to reveal how he was able to guard his heart and never fall in love.
Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump
Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump tells the story of a king who desires the power of magic for himself alone. To make this dream a reality, he creates a “Brigade of Witch Hunters” and enlists the help of a magic instructor.
The king ends up hiring a “cunning charlatan” as his magic instructor. This charlatan has no magical powers, unlike the king’s unassuming washerwoman. The charlatan discovers her true identity and the story unravels from there.
The Tale of the Three Brothers
The Tale of the Three Brothers tells the story of three brothers who use magic to create a bridge to cross a treacherous river. On the other side of the river, the three brothers meet Death. Death is angered by losing three potential victims because of magic, so he chooses to trick the brothers by giving them each a “reward” for avoiding their demise.
The eldest brother gets the Elder Wand for dueling, the middle brother gets the Resurrection Stone to bring back the dead, but the youngest brother requests something to ensure Death can’t follow him from the bridge. As a result, he is bequeathed the Cloak of Invisibility. After the brothers and Death part ways, they each find the true power of their “prize.”
These are the stories told in The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Some of the characters within these classic tales are virtuous, some malevolent. Some of them foolish, some clever. Listen to their tales individually as part of a bedtime story routine with your kids, or all together over the weekend.
However you listen to the audiobook, you’re sure to fall in love with Beedle’s enchanting stories and memorable characters.
Experience the Whole Set of Harry Potter Audible Audiobooks
Want to make your Wizarding World experience even richer? Listen to J.K. Rowling’s complete Harry Potter series on Audible! Whether you’re listening for the first or fifteenth time, the Harry Potter audiobooks are a perfect companion to the new The Tales of Beedle the Bard release.
The audiobook version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, narrated by the inimitable Jim Dale (more on him below!) celebrated its 20-year anniversary last year. With the release of The Tales of Beedle the Bard on audiobook, it seems like the perfect time to revisit the magic from its very beginning.
Pass the enjoyment down to your kids just as Beedle’s fables were passed down through centuries, and share in their joy of discovery. Or, you can just snack on the audiobooks privately chapter by chapter as you grocery shop or finish chores around the house.
Wherever you are and whomever you’re with, these audiobooks make it easy to add a little magic into your life.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1
From the moment Hagrid announces, “Harry – yer a wizard”, the first book in the series will have you, and the young ones in your life, completely hooked.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2
Meet Dobby, ride in Ron’s magical flying car and solve a mystery lurking beneath the dungeons of Hogwarts in this thrilling second title.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Book 3
Things at Hogwarts get a little darker in this third instalment, as tales of Voldemort’s return circulate and a mass murderer by the name of Sirius Black breaks free from the Azkaban prison.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Book 4
Join the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts in this fourth title. But be warned: the tournament may not be all fun and games.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Book 5
Mount a rebellion as the Ministry of Magic takes control of Hogwarts. And join Harry as he learns from Professor Snape how to shield his mind from the Dark Lord
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Book 6
The threat of Voldemort looms large in this penultimate title, and it’s up to Harry, Ron and Hermione to figure out how to stop him.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Book 7
With help from his friends, as well as an indispensable tip from The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Harry attempts to take down the Dark Lord once and for all in the epic final chapter of the Harry Potter Series.
Audible Lets You Experience The Tales of Beedle the Bard as Never Before
As if by the wave of a wand, Audible, in collaboration with Pottermore Publishing, has turned The Tales of Beedle the Bard into a magical audio experience. These tales are perfect for listening – reclined on your front porch with a cool drink, surrounded by loved ones or in the comfort of one’s bed. With a range of actors from across the Wizarding World lending their talents to The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the resulting audiobook is a dynamic, engrossing, living embodiment of J.K. Rowling’s stories.
We’re proud to introduce a whole new generation to these magical stories.
Cause for Excitement: What Makes this Audiobook so Special
The audiobook version of The Tales of Beedle the Bard sets a benchmark in narration, convening some of the biggest names from the Wizarding World to lend their distinct panache to the individual tales. And providing explanatory notes on the stories, Jude Law reprises his role as Albus Dumbledore from the Fantastic Beasts film series.
Meet the Actors Behind the Voices
In this section, we spotlight the seven voices you’ll hear throughout the audiobook. These narrators each bring their own brand of magic to the Wizarding World.
Jude Law has been honoured for his work on the stage and screen. He received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for his work in Cold Mountain and The Talented Mr. Ripley, winning a BAFTA Award for the latter. His many credits also include The Young Pope (Golden Globe nom.), Captain Marvel, The Grand Budapest Hotel, the Sherlock Holmes films, The Holiday, The Aviator, A.I. Artificial Intelligence (Golden Globe nom) and The Nest. When taking on the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts films, he met with J.K. Rowling to learn all about the character’s intricate history. This is evident in his thoughtful and humorous reading of Dumbledore’s notes on each of the stories in The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
As well as an actor, Warwick Davis is a television presenter, writer, director, comedian and producer. In the Harry Potter films, Warwick portrayed not one, but two, characters – the charming Professor Flitwick and Griphook the Gringotts goblin. Adding yet another string to his bow, Warwick will have you chuckling away with his narration of 'The Wizard and the Hopping Pot'. Setting up the talent agency Willow Management with Peter Burroughs, and the Reduced Height Theatre Company, Warwick has helped short actors be properly represented in the industry. As well as this, Warwick is a passionate advocate for Lumos.
An award-winning actress, Noma Dumezweni played Hermione Granger in the Original West End Production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London and featured in the original Broadway cast. Noma is a seasoned and captivating performer onstage whose velvety voice perfectly lends itself to her reading of 'The Tale of the Three Brothers'. Onscreen, Noma recently shone in Black Earth Rising and Mary Poppins Returns. 2020 will see her appearing in HBO series Made for Love and The Undoing.
'The Warlock’s Hairy Heart' could only have been read by Jason Isaacs, otherwise known as the notorious Lucius Malfoy – when he dons the blonde wig and a Death Eater’s uniform, that is. A BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor, he’s appeared on stage and screens both little and large for over 30 years. His other roles in uniform alone include Colonel Tavington in The Patriot, Captain Steele in Black Hawk Down, Major Briggs in Green Zone, General Zhukov in The Death of Stalin, Captain Lorca in Star Trek: Discovery and Captain Hook (and Mr Darling!) in Peter Pan. Jason is a seasoned audio narrator and has recorded, amongst others, all of Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie Case Histories books, Thunderball by Ian Fleming and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.
Evanna Lynch is an actress, activist and narrator. She came to prominence at fourteen years old for playing the kind and dreamy Ravenclaw Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films. Her lilting voice is the perfect guide around the enchanted garden of 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune'. Evanna lives in London with her beloved feline friend, Lil Puff, where she splits her time between acting and activism. Evanna is passionate about creating a kinder world, and has been involved in several non-profit projects and is an ambassador for Lumos.
Best known for playing the feisty Gryffindor Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films, Bonnie Wright is an actress, film director and screenwriter. Her beautiful voice makes 'Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump' even more of a pleasure to listen to. Bonnie made her screenwriting and directorial debut at the Cannes Film Festival with Separate we come, Separate we go. She now has her own production company, Bon Bon Lumiere, and has written and directed several projects since. Bonnie is an ambassador for Lumos and also plays an active role in raising awareness around sustainability – particularly on the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans.
Finally, it’s only fitting to have Sally Mortemore read J.K. Rowling’s intro to The Tales of Beedle the Bard. In the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Mortemore portrayed Madam Pince, the strict librarian of Hogwarts.
Listen as these fan favourite performers from across the Wizarding World each put their own enchanting twist on Rowling’s stories.
Explore the Other Voices of the Wizarding World
The world of Harry Potter is home to an impressive range of voices – witches, wizards and Muggles each with unique idiosyncrasies, upbringings and intentions, and the right narrator goes a long way to bringing these voices to life.
Jim Dale
Few performers have had as diverse and fascinating a career as Jim Dale. Born in the small market town of Rothwell, Northamptonshire, Dale trained as a ballet dancer for six years but it was a series of stand-up performances in 1951 that put him on the map as one of Britain’s young comedians. In the 1960s, his singing and songwriting earned him an Academy Award nomination for the title theme to Georgy Girl. Dale then turned to the stage, starring in dozens of productions with the British National Theatre Company and on Broadway, including The Taming of the Shrew, Oliver!, and Candide. In 1980, his portrayal of the circus showman in Barnum won him both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. (Over the course of his career, he’d earn four additional Tony nominations and five Drama Desk wins.)
In 2009, Dale was inducted in the American Theater Hall of Fame; five years later, his one-man-show Just Jim Dale opened in New York City to tremendous praise and critical acclaim. Audiobook fans will recognize him for his impeccable, finely tuned voice work. In the Harry Potter series alone, he has given life to hundreds of characters, expertly distinguishing every witch, wizard, house-elf, and goblin. He has captured hearts around the globe—including that of Queen Elizabeth II, who named him a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2003. In addition to the Harry Potter series, Dale has narrated other kid favorites such as The Hundred Acre Woods, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland, making fantastical worlds and characters even more magical. Dale has won two Grammy Awards for his narration of the fourth and seventh Harry Potter books, 11 Audie Awards, over a dozen AudioFile Earphone Awards, and was the first to be inducted into the American Audio Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Audible Narrator Hall of Fame in 2017 and remains a much-adored and highly celebrated narrator, beloved by millions of listeners around the world.
Eddie Redmayne
Narrated by Eddie Redmayne, this is the first audio book edition of Scamander's textbook ever to be released. Having starred as Newt Scamander himself in the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, who better to narrate this Hogwarts Library book from one of the wizarding world's most famous Magizoologists? Eddie's film credits include The Danish Girl,* My Week with Marilyn*, Les Misérables and The Theory of Everything, for which he won a Golden Globe, an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
Andrew Lincoln
Graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Andrew Lincoln’s TV and film roles include Mark in Richard Curtis’ Golden Globe-nominated and BAFTA winning Love Actually and, most recently, as Rick Grimes, the lead in ABC’s Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated The Walking Dead based on Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore’s graphic novels of the same name.
Natalie Dormer
Natalie Dormer is an English actor, who has established herself as one of the fastest rising leading ladies in Hollywood. She has amassed an impressive resume of diverse and memorable film, television and stage roles and is particularly well known for her performances in The Tudors, Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1&2.
Listen to The Tales of Beedle the Bard Wherever You Are
Effortlessly transportable, easily accessible and broken into distinct, “snack-sized” short story listens, this audiobook version of Rowling’s classic collection is available to listen wherever you and your family are.
Make The Tales of Beedle the Bard a Weeknight Family Ritual
With five fantastic stories to choose from, parents can easily make The Tales of Beedle the Bard a weeknight family ritual. As you gather together in the living room or tuck the kids into bed, you can listen together. These stories are also perfect for a peaceful commute or car journey. If you want to introduce your kids to the magical world of Harry Potter, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a wonderful place to start.
Take the Audiobook on the Go
No kids? No problem. The stories in this audiobook are as entertaining and instructive for grown-up lovers of fiction as they are for the young’uns. Wherever you are – whether you’re going for a jog, ironing or rustling something up in the kitchen – take the Audible production of The Tales of Beedle the Bard with you. Because the collection is naturally broken up into short stories, it’s easy to snack on piece by piece throughout your day.
Whether it’s a daily dose of entertainment or part of a new family tradition, we hope you’ll check out the new release. The Tales of Beedle the Bard audiobook is free for members this year.
The Magical Journey is Just Beginning
You’ve listened to The Tales of Beedle the Bard. You’ve loved it. You’ve shared it with your kids. You’ve taken it to the grocery store. You’ve done the dishes with it, folded laundry with it, taken it on the treadmill. What’s next?
If you’re looking to delve further into the Wizarding World right now, we’ve got much more magic to share. While the stories in this audiobook are a fantastic place to start your magical journey, as they lay a foundation for themes found throughout the Harry Potter titles, they are only the start.
Explore the Wizarding World’s other titles on Audible: the main Harry Potter Series, as well as a few other Hogwarts Library listens.
Harry Potter: A History of Magic
The history of magic is as long as time and as wide as the world. In every culture, in every age, in every place and, probably, in every heart, there is magic.
Harry Potter: A History of Magic reveals some of the hidden stories behind real-world magic and explores some of J.K. Rowling's magical inventions alongside their folkloric, cultural and historical forebears.
Narrator Natalie Dormer and a host of experts will take you on an audio journey like no other; from ancient China, to a 14th-century apothecary's shop, on to the Salem witch trials and beyond. They delve into a rich body of writings about magic and explore intriguing artefacts to bring to life deep-rooted ideas of mysticism from around the world.
Along the way, you can listen for handy tips on how to capture a basilisk, make yourself invisible or create your very own philosopher's stone. You'll hear about the dozens of drafts and drawings that went into J.K. Rowling's writing process and enjoy exclusive interviews with Jim Dale, Stephen Fry and illustrator Jim Kay, who all share their experiences of working on these incredible stories.
The extraordinary and thought-provoking tales in this audiobook are perfect for anyone who wants to know a little more about magic and the wizarding world.
A perennial best-seller in the wizarding world and one of the most popular books in the Hogwarts School Library, Quidditch Through the Ages contains all you will ever need to know about the history, the rules - and the breaking of the rules - of the noble sport of Quidditch. Packed with fascinating facts, this definitive guide by the esteemed Quidditch writer Kennilworthy Whisp charts the game's history from its early origins in the medieval mists on Queerditch Marsh through to the modern-day sport loved by so many wizard and Muggle families around the world. With comprehensive coverage of famous Quidditch teams, the commonest fouls, the development of racing brooms, and much more, this is a must-have sporting bible for all Harry Potter fans and Quidditch lovers and players, whether the weekend amateur or the seasoned Chudley Cannons season-ticket holder.
This audio edition of Quidditch Through the Ages includes over an hour and a half of exclusive bonus content, narrated by Andrew Lincoln, Annette Badland and Imogen Church, featuring The History of the Quidditch World Cup, written by J.K. Rowling in 2014 for pottermore.com, now brought to life in audio for the first time.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
A set textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since publication, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has entertained wizarding families through the generations. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the wizarding world.
Scamander's years of travel and research have created a tome of unparalleled importance. Some of the beasts will be familiar to readers of the Harry Potter books – the Hippogriff, the Basilisk, the Hungarian Horntail... others will surprise even the most ardent amateur Magizoologist.
Narrated by Eddie Redmayne, this is the first audio book edition of Scamander's textbook ever to be released. Having starred as Newt Scamander himself in the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, who better to narrate this Hogwarts Library book from one of the wizarding world's most famous Magizoologists? Eddie's film credits include The Danish Girl, My Week with Marilyn, Les Misérables and The Theory of Everything, for which he won a Golden Globe, an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
Dip in to discover the curious habits of magical beasts across five continents….
The Lasting Influence of Harry Potter on Young Canadians
In the Harry Potter stories, J.K. Rowling didn’t just tell a story – she created an entire world, complete with histories, folk tales, languages and fantastic beasts. We believe these audiobooks demonstrate, by the depth and extent of their world building, that there are no limits to what you can imagine. That’s a powerful message for kids (and one that adults would do well to remember too).
These titles are also impactful because they give a blueprint for friendship, loyalty, kindness and how to fit within a strange new world. In the Harry Potter audiobooks, we empathize with Harry as he struggles to belong. And in The Tales of Beedle the Bard audiobook we are continually reminded of the importance of kindness, common sense and ingenuity.
Discover the magic for yourself at Audible.ca, where you can explore the entire Wizarding World Collection of audiobooks and stay up to date on all things Harry Potter!
