British novelist J.K. Rowling turns 43 today. She was born on July 31, 1965, in Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol, England. Rowling is best known as the creator of the Harry Potter book series, which have gained worldwide attention and sold nearly 400 million copies. She is listed as the second-richest woman in entertainment (behind Oprah Winfrey) in a 2007 Forbes list, with estimated earnings of $1 billion.

J.K. Rowling announced today, on her birthday, that she will publish a book of wizardry fairy tales, “The Tales of Beedle the Bard,” and donate an expected $8 million in proceeds to her charity for vulnerable children.

More on J.K. Rowling and ‘Harry Potter’

NewsHour - Analysis: Harry Potter Books Spark Questions About Reading
The Harry Potter books enjoy a massive following, but they have sparked questions about the future of young people and reading. The chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts and a librarian discuss the impact of the series.
(originally aired: July 20, 2007)

NewsHour - Harry Potter Magic
A look at the sixth installment of J.K. Rowling’s series about Harry Potter, of which 9 million copies were reportedly sold in its first day on the shelves. Watch or listen to the segment.
(originally aired: July 18, 2005)

NewsHour - Publishing Wizardry
A look at the magical power of J.K. Rowling’s fourth book in her children’s series “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Watch the segment (originally aired: July 10, 2000)