The Harry Potter series has symbolized a great many things in the lives of Americans for two decades. The way in which the author her success is in itself an inspiration to authors, and especially women and single mothers! Down to her last 2 digits in her bank account, she took a creative risk, got published, and became the author of what would become the "biggest thing" in children's fiction in literature and movie theaters.
When the first movie was released, my girls were very young, the oldest of which was just one year younger than the main character. Her grandfather was as anxious to see the movie as she was, and coincidentally was in Florida for a visit when it came out in theaters. SEveral of the others followed suit and were also released during the Thanksgiving season, making it convenient for us to form a family tradition of seeing these movies usually on Thanksgiving Day!
My daughter has never been much of a pleasure reader, but she did manage to read each book (mostly) in its entirety, but both daughters LIVED to see the next movie as it came out, carefully remembering all the details of the story lines of the preceding films.
The likability of the characters was so strong that we didn't really stop to think about the witchcraft and wizardry, or the fictitious impossibility of all that takes place. The humor and imagination have been so engaging that it has reached the approval and love of adults and children alike.
As we bid goodbye to this end of an era, I want to thank the creator of Harry Potter for bringing this wonderful fantasy world into my children's lives all these years.
