Today marks twenty years since Harry Potter was first released. It's been a magical two decades, hasn't it?
I was a teenager when I was first introduced to words like Hogwarts and muggle and Gryffindor. By the time the final book was launched, I was an adult. It never mattered to me that these books were written for kids. As I get older, my love for the wizarding world only gets stronger. I will say it loud and proud, I LOVE HARRY POTTER.
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to visit the Harry Potter studios in England. As you can imagine, it was glorious. We drank butterbeer and got our pictures taken in front of 4 Privet Drive. The Great Hall and Diagon Alley were open to be explored. I loved looking at all the costumes and the props and the gift shop, oh the gift shop!
Harry Potter. Always.
This series is so important to me because it touches on the elements that I think make all #kidlit so wonderful (yes, even for us adults).
Harry Potter reminds me there is magic in the world. Okay, so maybe expecto patronum isn't going to work in real life, but that doesn't mean there's no such thing as magic. (If you ask me, there's a little bit of magic here on #steemit).
I love a good quest: good vs. evil, and all that. Of course, not all children's literature is about good versus evil but it usually does involve some sort of quest (sometimes on a large scale, sometimes small). Whether the adventure is discovering how something is made or maybe it's learning about a mysterious new neighbour--at the end of the day, it's still a quest! And darnnit, it feels like you've accomplished something after reading through a quest.
The characters are complex and I care about what happens to them. I think so many of JK Rowling's characters are loved (in this series, and in others) because we readers can see a little bit of ourselves in each of them. Kid's books can, indeed, feature elaborate characters and relationships and problems.
I'm so excited because, now that I have kids, I get to experience these stories over again. This time I'll see the magic for the first time through their eyes.
In my introduction to steemit, I mentioned that I love everything kidlit and hope to post many stories related to the subject. They won't be all about #HarryPotter but anytime you fellow Potter-heads feel like nerding out, please feel free to drop me a note.
20 years? We are just getting into it at our place. We went to Universal Studios in Florida to check out both of the Harry Potter attractions last fall. And just a few weeks ago we went and did the studio tour in London. The kids really enjoyed it all. I was a big fan of the butter beer. :)
How was the Universal Studio trip?? I've considered going but think maybe the kids are too young for it (and they would kill me if I went alone!).
It was really interesting. I loved seeing how they made everything work and the visual tricks and props that were used. And just seeing how much effort had to be put into everything. The kids had fun as well. But if you have to choose one I'd go to Universal Florida (not California) as that experience is more like being in the actual Harry Potter world.
haha, I still have my Harry Potter passport too! I bought a collectors set of the books in England...they were so heavy to lug around during the trip, but completely worth it.
Nice post.. It seems like yesterday that the movie was released..
I know! It's hard to believe it's been TWENTY YEARS since the first book was released. I was going through some serious Potter withdrawal, but the Fantastic Beasts movie helped with that ;)
Exactly @jenlavallee,, The best thing about these books is that adult or child, these books have something every single person can relate to. These are the kind of books that makes a mark on the reader's life. I will never stop loving these books and I doubt I will find another book that could beat these on my list.
Your experience makes yearn to go to the HP wizarding world. Hoping to visit one someday...
Happy 20th anniversary...
I love how you put that: "these are the kind of books that makes a maker on the reader's life." So true! I still remember reading the very last page of the very last book...lol, I was like, "NOOOOO!!!!". It's hard to find anything that comes close. Next week I'm going to do a story on a new series that I've found that has a lot of the same wonderful elements as Harry Potter (but with a completely different story). Stay tuned!
Thankyou...
Oh yes! I totally get that feeling.. Me too,, when I see I am nearing the end of each book, I keep reading each page over and over just to not reach the end..
If the story series is like HP, I am all for it.. Looking forward to it.. Keep going fellow potterhead! :)
Feeling super old right now!
I think the elements you touched on above are exactly why Harry Potter has been so successful for kids and adults. A good story is a good story.
Yeah, totally! It stands the test of time because, at its core, it's just a really good story. It's universal for adults and kids and every age in between.
i like harry potter very much...i like this post very much. quite impressive.
Well, thank you very much! I appreciate the kind words :)
Great post I will love the Harry Potter Series til the day I die.
I feel the exact same way! lol! I think when I went to the studios in England, it was like a religious experience for me, haha. My family was like, "why are you being so weird...?". ;)
I bet! I would probably be shaking I have no idea, have a panic attack I really want to go see the Harry Potter world in Florida
I bought a complete set of special edition Harry Potter books there. Weighed a ton and we had to lug them around our entire trip...but it was soooooo worth it!
That sounds like a great memory :) I need to re read the books it's been a long time
There is a little magic here indeed. At least my first three days feels so. Great community too. I always loved JK taking risks with her characters. She showed she wasn't afraid to invest in a character and then kill them. Made you feel like the risk was real for all the character all the time. Great author and story. Followed and upvoted. Thanks for posting.
Even in her adult fiction, her characters are so well written. You can't help but love all her stories. Thanks for the upvote and follow!! I just checked out your page and followed too :) Looking forward to reading your travel reviews.
Thanks for the support. This is a whole new world for us, but we are having a lot of fun.
Great Post! I am so glad there are fellow Harry Potter fans on here so we can all nerd out together 😋
Haha..yes!