Hi everyone -- I chose to do my articles for KidsReads, a site dedicated to reviews of children's books -- since I did some children's lit in my undergrad and really enjoyed it.
There are many sections of the site. My first article was pitched for Harry Central, the specifically Harry Potter-oriented section of the site. My second article was for the Features section of the site, inspired by a brief article about Where the Wild Things Are in the Books Into Movies page.
-CM
NEW HARRY THEME PARK
Ever since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first hit the shelves of bookstores across the world, Harry Potter fans everywhere have dreamed of visiting Hogwarts, playing Quidditch and visiting Diagon Alley.
But the chance to visit Harry’s world for real may soon be here. The Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter theme park is expected to open in Universal Studios in the US in 2010, a “theme park within a theme park” that will bring the magic of J.K. Rowling’s magical and popular series to life, according to Universal Studio Orlando Resort's official site.
But the chance to visit Harry’s world for real may soon be here. The Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter theme park is expected to open in Universal Studios in the US in 2010, a “theme park within a theme park” that will bring the magic of J.K. Rowling’s magical and popular series to life, according to Universal Studio Orlando Resort's official site.
J.K. Rowling has given a seal of approval to the plans. “The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting,” she says to BBC News. “I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed.”
Expectations are very high. According to WA Today, the books have sold over 400 million copies in both adult and child editions, have been sold in over 200 countries and are available in 67 languages. Films of the books have grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide and have featured such star power as Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, John Cleese, Timothy Spall, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter and Gary Oldman. The phenomenon of the books is destined to endure for years to come, with the books already considered classics.
Anyone who has read the books will know that the task of recreating the boy wizard’s world is a huge one. But Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resort, promises that the park will live up to the hopes of fans, as he tells WA Today. "All of the action and adventures of Harry Potter's world will come to life here at Universal Orlando Resort," he says. "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be unlike any other experience on earth."
To stay true to Rowling’s books, the creative team for the park will be led by Stuart Craig, who is an Oscar-winner for production design and has worked on the Harry Potter movies. J.K. Rowling herself has also worked closely with the designers to make sure Harry’s world is as true to the books as possible. “Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Harry Potter's world as it is portrayed in the books and films,” Craig told BBC News.
The park will be full of activities for Harry readers to enjoy. Fans can treat themselves to Butterbeer at a replica of the Three Broomsticks, shopping at Hogsmeade, as well as have a chance to ride a Hippogriff in one of the many planned theme rides. Braver visitors will also be given a chance to give Quidditch a try, competing in the excitement of the Triwizard Tournament.
“Harry Potter continues to spark the imaginations of fans of all ages,” said the president of Warner Bros Consumer Products, Brad Globe, to WA Today. “We really have seen the anticipation continue to build for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
Official images can be found here at the official Universal Studios site. The theme park will open next year – but we’re not sure we can wait that long!!
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