Borders planning 'Beedle' parties

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Borders and Waldenbooks say their stores across the United States are planning parties to celebrate this week's publication of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard."

Written and illustrated by J.K. Rowling, the collection of fairy stories is a spinoff of Rowling's blockbuster "Harry Potter" series of books.

The new volume is to go on sale Thursday.

"We could not be more excited to celebrate the release of 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' with in-store parties," Diane Mangan, director of the children's category for Borders Group, said in a statement Tuesday. "Our customers have been awaiting the release of this book for months and Borders and Waldenbooks are the perfect place for 'Harry Potter' fans to revisit their passion for the stories that gave them so much enjoyment -- and pick up this great book of fables."

The parties are expected to kick off with a reading and discussion of "The Tales of Three Brothers," a fable from the new book which was first introduced to fans in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Trivia and drawing activities are to follow.

Select Borders stores are to stay open later than usual Wednesday to accommodate customers who want to buy the book immediately when it officially goes on sale just after midnight, the book-selling chain said.