Harry Potter program in Williamson

You can't escape him. Everywhere you look, you're surrounded by images of his face - in the grocery store, at the mall, in children's book bags, and in the hands of the man next to you on the bus. Now, you hear that there's a movie being made about him - that mop-headed, bespectacled boy wonder, Harry Potter.

So, who is this kid? And why have there been over 100 million books about him published in 28 languages and distributed in 115 countries?

British author, J.K. Rowling, has created this publishing mega-star. Her series of seven fantasy books, starting with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, tell the story of a boy's training as a wizard as he combats the forces of evil and looks for the people who killed his parents. From the first book, through the fourth and latest book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, readers young and old have been captivated by the tale.

The Friends of the Williamson Public Library's Sandwiched-In program will give listeners a chance to sample a little Harry Potter and to consider the impact these books have had on children's literacy and perhaps even their moral development. On Wednesday, June 20, library staffer Nicki Haupt will introduce the characters and stories behind this publishing phenomenon.

Haupt, a Potter aficionado, has much experience in both libraries and in children's education. She offers a unique perspective on this latest craze. Haupt lives in Williamson with her husband, George, and has two daughters.

Anyone interested in the debate about the Harry Potter books (wonderful for families to share, or a questionable choice for children) should attend this thought-provoking program. The talk begins at noon. Lunches are optional and may be reserved by calling the library at 589.2048 by 8 p.m. on Monday, June 18.

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