Did you know thata

• J. K. Rowling's characters share a lot in common with J. R. R. Tolkien's characters?
• Many of the magical items in Harry's world actually have equivalents in ours?
• Some of Rowling's beasts have been around for hundreds of years?

Find out the stories behind the stories

With more than 300 entries, from bite-sized appetizers to meaty entrees, this book provides fun and fascinating facts behind the world myths, legends, literature, and history embedded in the Harry Potter novels by J. K. Rowling, who holds a degree in French and the classics.

Arranged alphabetically in four sectionsathe fabulous beasts, the prominent wizards, the magical artifacts, and the places where the wizarding world hangs outathis comprehensive resource is entertaining and educational: Abominable Snowman to zombies, wizards Falco Aesalon to Bowman Wright, amulets to the wizardas wireless, and the apothecary store to Zonkoas Joke Shopaitas all covered here.

With seventy illustrations by five-time Hugo award winner Tim Kirk and newcomer Britton McDaniel, this Harry Potter companion is a visual and narrative treat that belongs on the shelf of every fan.

With Fact, Fiction, and Folklore in Harry Potter's World you can explore the fascinating connections in the enchanting world of Harry Potter.

Book 5 of the Harry Potter series was released in 2003 and more than 5 million copies were sold within the first 24 hours. There's no doubt the hype surrounding the July 16th release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be unequaled. And as fans wait and media airwaves become saturated with talk of Harry Potter, Heroes and Wizards: A Harry Potter Companion is the perfect book to satisfy their appetite. Heroes and Wizards is the second Potter companion book by George Beahm, following his Muggles and Magic (Hampton Roads 2004). Heroes and Wizards gives Potter maniacs even more inside information on the making of the blockbuster series and the boy wizard everyone is reading and talking about.

For fans who want to know about the myths, folklore, legends, and Muggle history embedded in the Harry Potter novels, this treasure trove of fun facts and tantalizing trivia covers the fabulous beasts and creatures, the wizards, magical artifacts, and magical places in the Harry Potter world. Full color.