Books: Magic 101

Late last year, J.K. Rowling distressed zillions of readers by announcing that the fifth novel in her Harry Potter saga would not appear in 2001. The author sweetened this dismal news, at least a little, by promising to make available two books regularly read by students at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Quidditch Through the Ages (Scholastic; 56 pages; $3.99) by Kennilworthy Whisp, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Scholastic; 42 pages; $3.99) by Newt Scamander.

Neither of these cleverly factitious offerings, both of course written by Rowling, will make much sense to those not already steeped in Potter lore. But if the books have only a cult appeal, that cult happens to be the most populous one in the history of commercial publishing. The whopping sales that seem certain to follow will buy more than entertainment; Rowling has earmarked her share of the proceeds to the Harry Potter Fund at Comic Relief U.K., a British charity devoted to children.

It's good to have the author's subtle wit and love of wordplay on display again, even in small doses. And the book on beasts will be of special interest to the faithful because it purports to be a facsimile of a copy actually owned by Harry Potter and bearing his schoolboyish annotations. When, for example, the author promises "A Brief History of Muggle Awareness of Fantastic Beasts," Harry circles "Brief" and scrawls "you liar." No wonder so many readers love this kid.

--By Paul Gray