Proceeds will go to Comic Relief U.K.

'Harry Potter Schoolbooks' set for Monday release

The initial print run for J.K. Rowling's pair of "Harry Potter Schoolbooks" is 2.5 million copies for each title

By Jamie Allen
CNN.com Senior Writer

(CNN) -- You might not be able to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, made famous by J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" book series. But you can get an inside look at the teachings of the fictional institution in two new Rowling books that come out Monday.

That's the marketing message, at least, behind "Quidditch Through the Ages" and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (Scholastic), two new "Harry Potter Schoolbooks."

The paperbacks are pulled from the pages of the "Harry Potter" series. "Quidditch Through the Ages" is a history of the fictional sport -- played by wizards who fly around on broomsticks -- from its early days to its current fictional present as "the most popular sport in the wizarding world."

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Rowling wrote the book under the pen name Kennilworthy Whisp, the publisher says. To add authenticity to the product, it's apparently printed to look like "a facsimile of the copy" from the Hogwarts' library.

And if that's not enough for Harry Potter fans, there's "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." The book, also penned by Rowling under the name Newt Scamander, is an A to Z listing of "magical beasts" that populate Harry Potter's world.

Both books, sold together, are 64 pages each. Scholastic's initial print run tallies at 2.5 million copies for each title.

Amazon.com says sales of the "Schoolbooks" have been brisk in recent weeks.

Proceeds from the "Schoolbooks," including author J.K. Rowling's royalties, are being donated to Comic Relief U.K., a charity that helps disadvantaged children

"It's been in the Top Ten of our Hot 100 for two weeks now, and for something to stay there steadily, sales have to be sustainable," says Lizzie Allen, spokesperson for Amazon.com. "It's a very good seller, I can tell you."

"Something else that's interesting -- another book that is very popular at No. 5 right now, is 'Harry Potter' No. 5, which isn't published yet," Allen says.

The "Harry Potter" book series, starring the teen-age hero Harry, a wizard-in-training, have been a worldwide phenomenon. Rowling's four books is the collection have sold tens of millions of copies. The fifth, titled "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," is due for a 2002 publishing date.

Proceeds from the books are being donated to Comic Relief U.K., a charity that helps disadvantaged children. That includes all of Rowling's royalties from the books, according to the publisher.

Scholastic says the books are a joint effort.

"Richard Curtis from Comic Relief U.K. approached (Rowling) about writing something. From there, it was her idea to do the books," says a Scholastic spokesperson.

Rowling's last book, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," sold three million copies in the first week of its release last summer.

This fall, the film version of her first book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," will be released to international audiences.

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The Official Harry Potter
Comic Relief U.K.
Scholastic Inc.

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