[Cadfael]

Okay, at the time I am posting this, my son Mark is fast asleep... he BETTER be. But I am goint to ask him to write down his views about the Harry Potter books, and will post them here...

... can you members with children do the same please? Or do a brave thing... let then actually use you computer *shudders*

[MrSquiddy]

LoL. Good call.. yeah that would be interesting to see their views.

I have no children, nor will i... another one of me in the world, perish the thought!.

[Sammie]

Do little brothers count.

Mine (aged 7) said he liked the first book, but didn't seem too disappointed when, about a third of the way in, it 'got mislaid' (as you may have guessed, my Mum wasn'tenjoying reading it!).

This is in contrast to the HOWLS of outrage when i tried to turn his light out before having read him the latest installment of 'Redwall', the other night!

[Rob B]

My Uncle has been reading it along with my cousin (he's 8 in First Grade) and they enjoy the books. They are anxious to see the film.

I have no children, nor will i... another one of me in the world, perish the thought!.
Amen, Brother!

[JohnH]

Just to be contrary. What makes a child more of an expert than say an adult who loves the books as well?

I think that it is clearly obvious that Rowling writes the books for children yet also is writing for herself as well. Maintaining a level of delight, whimsy and charm that translates to any age.

But for the record (my sperm have yet to encumber me with the biggest responsibility of all), my niece absolutely adores the books. She is anxiously awaiting book five and was in line for the movie the day it opened. In her words "Harry Potter is the most interesting story and lots of fun."

Oh and she is nine years old if that helps the study any. And she started the series when she was six, I believe.

Short of offering candy and violating laws that should not be broken, any more 'expert' opinion will have to be supplied by others.

[jbcohen]

I was reading a political news magazine, that shall remain nameless at the moment, that had some op-ed pieces on Harry Potter. They made an interesting point the Ms Rowling has managed to get children to tun off the TV and stick there noses in a book for a change. This strikes me as an excellent point. However, my niece will be hounding me this christmas about books to take Hary's place while she is awaiting The Order of the Phoenix (HP 5). I suggested CS Lewis- Cronicles of Narnia or Dragon Lance.

I think that this is an excellent oportunity that adults and parents have been presented with to get their kids interested in litterature, finally. After all those years of kids wearing holes in the carpet where they sit, too close, to watch the idiot tube. I made it clear to my wife that I will obtain any book at all for our kids that they show interest in reading. This is a great opporuntunity that we have been presented with here.

[Keziah]

I still count myself a child (and probably will forever)-
I think Harry Potter's brilliant

[Bond]

I know everyone here is a book lover but I have to say as someone who has watched probably even more T.V than I have read books, that T.V. is not necessarily an idiot box. There is some very intelligent stuff on T.V. Do not vilify the tube. It is merely the messenger. Cultivate taste and you won't need to worry so much.

[Dragon Reborn]

Thing about TV, you don't actually have to think. Your mind is not really being stimulated, just taking things in. That is why reading is so much better.

[Erised]

I'm 14, you'll probably won't take me as a kid, but i can say that i loved the 4 books, and take ME for example, my mom couldn't get mi ass up from the couch, i mean, you know Mtv was my life, but when my friend forced me to read the 1st book, i was delighted, i don't watch that much tv now, and now that i see it from another view, i really think that tv is very entertaining, but at the same time, books give you a chance to think and imagine things as you want, like the movie HP and the philosopher's stone, there are things that i didn't imagined like in the movie, so what i mean is that reading is much more entertaining than watching tv, and i AM 14! and i'm not a geek, nerd or anything, i'm just saying the truth! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif