Page to the Silver Screen: Harry Potter

Harry Potter.

The series that has captivated both our minds and hearts whether through the pages of a book or on screen. For many, including myself, the Harry Potter series was one of the prime contributors in the creation of a long-lasting love for reading. If you’re a fan of these magical stories, you probably can recall the nights you avidly tore through each page, entranced by the characters and settings that you came to know and love. I would give anything to experience that adventure again as a first-time reader, but lucky for much of today’s youth, that opportunity remains wide open. Especially with all of the time spent at home this holiday season, nothing will be more inviting than curling up with one of the books and being immersed into scenes like Harry’s first Christmas at Hogwarts, visits to Hagrid’s hut, or settling into the Gryffindor common room’s squashy armchairs with the golden trio.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Once parents can get a hold of a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, all that’s left to do is to be launched into Harry’s world of magic and joy alongside their children. But something even more gratifying about this feel-good series is that upon finishing one of Harry’s seven adventures, you can watch the events unfold on your movie screen! The excitement that parents and children alike will feel seeing the images they imagined so vividly in their heads play out almost exactly on screen will surely amplify their desire to read on in the series.

What will follow has the potential to light up the long days spent at home: all sorts of Harry Potter themed crafts and activities! Whether it be making butterbeer and chocolate frogs or dressing up in your house robes and colors, there are unlimited possibilities to extend the fun. If you’re stuck on ideas, a good resource to check out is wizardingworld.com, where you can find all sorts of Harry Potter themed activities like quizzes, DIYs, and even more information about some of the characters and locations.

The second anyone meets “the boy who lived” they’ll develop a lasting love for the series that may extend beyond their childhood. From my experience, my family and I never tire of rewatching the movies, or even embarking on a back-to-back Harry Potter movie marathon every once in a while! Additionally, I find myself rereading the books whenever I’m in a reading slump or if I just crave the comfort of a year at Hogwarts, and I am always met with immense joy.

After reading, enjoy a movie night with loved ones!

So what’s stopping you? Even if you don’t have children of your own or if you feel like you’re past the age where you can appreciate the story, I guarantee that you’ll enjoy it. Despite the first few books being geared towards younger readers, I believe there is no age limit for the heart-warming and spell-binding world that is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Without further ado, grab your Harry Potter book or movie, find a cozy spot, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am in no way supportive of J.K. Rowling’s harmful remarks and actions toward the the transgender community. However, since these books were written and published in the past, I am luckily able to separate the art from the artist and still attempt to enjoy the story. Yet, this is not possible for everyone, which is also completely understandable. When beginning your Harry Potter journey try to purchase the books secondhand, either from a thrift store or a used bookstore in order to decrease support for the author. The same goes for merchandise, as most items (and more!) can be found on websites like Etsy, being sold by independent, small businesses! The choices are up to you, but these are some things to note if you want to make sure everyone can feel supported and included at this time.