"What were the models for the Order Of The Phoenix?
"Where do those names come from?
Could Snape's potions actually work?

J.K. Rowling fills her books with references to history, myths, legends and literature. 'The Magical Worlds Of Harry Potter' reveals the stories behind these stories.
All the questions you ever wanted to ask about Harry's fantastical world are answered here. Discover the astonishing origins of magical creatures, the clues to hidden meanings to names, and amazing facts about real-life wizards and ancient magical spells.
From Alchemists to Unicorns, Basilisks to Veela, this fascinating compendium brings another dimension to Harry's adventures."

The re-issued completely unofficial guide to all things Harry Potter and Hogwarts. I think I got it free from WHSmiths when I bought 'HP & The Goblet Of Fire' last year. I already have a copy so this one is up for trade, ring, ray or possibly RABCK....

Thanks so much for this trade AgnesXNitt. I'm really looking forward to reading it finding out where J.K.Rowling got her ideas from!

I've taken part in yet another sweepstake & this is the only book I have that I think the winner might like so it's finally made it off Mt TBR & into my hot little mitts to be read!

A very easy read (well it is a childrens book) full of interesting facts about how J K Rowling (supposedly) came up with the names of characters, monsters & spells that feature in the HP books - either she knows her folklore & mythology or she did a helluva lot of research.....or maybe some names are pure coincidence ;o)

Whatever, it's intriguing to discover the links between Harry Potter's world & that of "real life" myths & legends. And it's interesting to note that if you are in the know about such things, then there's apparently a lot of little "jokes" & links in the books that you might spot - some more obvious than others;

Quote: When Harry first meets Order of the Phoenix member Hestia Jones she is near a toaster" nothing odd about that you may think but read on..."That's a joke about her first name. In Greek Mythology, Hestia is the goddess of the hearth (the fireplace where meals are cooked) Tsk...how did I miss that?

I did find the margin notes a bit distracting (would have preferred footnotes personally) but they were full of allsorts of trivia. For example, did you know that on many telephone keypads, the Ministry of Magic's phone number, 62442, spells magic? Well you do now.....

Read as part of the 2010 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE (#7) - & I reckon it counts as a themed "CREATURE" read for January.

On it's way to a Sweepstake Winner whose profile says she likes magical things....


Released as part of the 2011 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

Thank you ver much for this book, plum-crazy. I literally only finished the last Harry Potter yesterday and I was feeling a little gloomy. (I've loved reading the series and I was a bit bummed out that I'd finally reached the end.) But this book makes it all beter. More HP for me to indulge in!! ;)
Thanks also for the little heartshaped shoap and the release bag, which will certainly come to good use. Hugs and kisses from Belgium!

I started reading this book back to front, but as time went on I started picking out the questions I wanted answered. A lot of the things Colbert discusses aren't new to me. Many of these I've already identified when reading the books themselves. (The references to many of the Greek or Roman gods and the legends that accompany them, for instance.) But that is probably due to the fact that this is originally for meant children and partly due to the fact that I teach history myself and have to discuss many of these Gods with my pupils.
I did enjoy those questions I didn't have the answer to at all! Thanks for sending it to me, plum-crazy!

This book is coming with me to Luxembourg where I will be biking from the 30th of June until the 4th of July. We will be staying in the Youth Hostels of Hollenfels, Remerchen, Echternach, Vianden and Lultzhausen. I will leave this book in one of them. Happy travels little book and happy reading to whoever finds this book!

I left this book on the first floor in the hallway. Happy travels little book!