Rowling finishes post-Potter book

J.K. Rowling has completed her first book after her wildly popular series on teen wizard Harry Potter -- an illustrated collection of magical fairy stories titled “The Tales of Beedle the Bard.�

Only seven copies of the handwritten book have been made, Rowling said Thursday.

One will be auctioned next month to raise money for a children’s charity, while the others have been given away as gifts.

Rowling drew the illustrations herself and provided the handwriting for the five stories that make up the collection of fairy tales.

“The Tales of Beedle the Bard� is mentioned in the final Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,� as a gift left by headmaster Albus Dumbledore to Harry’s friend Hermione.

The volume, bound in leather and mounted with silver and semiprecious stones, will be auctioned at Sotheby’s on Dec. 13 with a starting price of $62,000. Proceeds will go to the Children’s Voice, a charity that helps children in Europe.