Quidditch through the ages by J.K. Rowling

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Illus. by Emily Gravatt. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526608123.
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Lovers of the Harry Potter series will grab this companion book, first published in 2001. The 2020 volume has  Emily Gravatt's fabulous illustrations and gives a tour through the game of Quidditch. J.K. Rowling, using the pseudonym of Kennilworthy Whisp, uses her amazing imagination to go deep into the game and history in this book which graced the library at Hogwarts. Avid readers will find chapters on the evolution of the flying broomstick, ancient broom games, the arrival of the golden snitch, changes in quidditch, teams of Britain and Ireland and Quidditch today.
Emily Gravatt, twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, has brought to life this wizard sport. Starting with a portrait of Professor Dumbledore with Fawkes his pet phoenix, she goes on to make fabulous illustrations of flying broomsticks, teams, referees, and even an ancient manuscript depicting the Quijudge carry the four balls into the centre during a game. Small black and white illustrations grace virtually every page and add to the fun of reading the book.
This is a handsome volume with a sturdy hardcover and bookmark ribbon. And with proceeds going to Lumos, an international children's charity founded in 2005 by J.K. Rowling, and Comic Relief, it would make an ideal gift for any fan.
Pat Pledger

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