Memphis Mom Talks About Local Harry Potter Events

I was so lucky to have the opportunity to sit down and talk with Catherine Mitchell, better known as Cat. She is a Memphis area mother of 2 young boys. Harry Potter has been a big part of her life with her sons. She gave me a very candid interview with her perspective on all of the buzz surround Harry Potter.

Cheryl: When did you first start reading the Harry Potter Books? Is it something you began before you had your children, or something you started with them?

Cat: Our friends were fans and once I saw the first movie... I was hooked. My son soon followed and we have been enjoying the series ever since.

Cheryl: What is your favorite book so far in the series? Is your child's favorite the same book, or some other book in the series?

Cat: My two favorites are HP and the Goblet of Fire and HP and the Order of the Phoenix. My son only knows the first two books. Until he is older, he will not be reading the others. He loves HP and the Chamber of Secrets.

Cheryl: What is it about this book (or these books) that makes it your favorite(s)?

Cat: The author gets deeper and more complex with each book. Secrets and conspiracies are very common to find... if you pay attention. They are like puzzles inside a story.

Cheryl: Why do you feel that HP has been able to bring children back to a love of reading?

Cat: Rowling's books have brought a sense of wonder and magic to reading by creating an imaginary world that attracts kids of all ages. Her writing brings characters so clearly to life... it is easy to picture the scene. You can almost taste the chocolate frogs... and Earwax flavored jelly beans. I would say that many kids have lost their use of imagination, but she has brought that back.

Cheryl: Do you feel that making the books into movies will take away from this or will it bring even more people to read the books?

Cat: Movies are usually a great boost for a book. I think most readers have caught on to her talents and are already reading them. For those who see a movie first, I think it will entice them into reading the book as they always contain more details and stories then any movie could.

Cheryl: Have you attended many HP specific book events since the HP craze began?

Cat: We will attend our first book release tomorrow night at Davis Kidd Book Store... but we did go to our local library last month to hear a band called "Harry and the Potters". They are a garage band that tours around playing "wizard" music to promote reading to teens. Very fun... but more importantly a good cause. More kids should be reading.

Cheryl: Have you also attended movie events?

Cat: I attended the midnight showing of HP and Goblet of Fire as well as HP and the Order of the Phoenix.

Cheryl: Does you child go along to these events with you?

Cat: He went to the Harry and the Potters concert and he will go with me to the book release. As far as the new movie releases... no. As his mom, I feel he is not quite ready for that yet. He is just 5 and the characters in the new movies are in their teens and they deal with older subject matters.

Cheryl: Many of these HP events start late at night. Since these books are technically children's books, do you think this discourages some parents from allowing their children to be a part of these special HP events?

Cat: I think most of the movie goers are older and it doesn't affect that many fans. Most of the younger fans have parents that are fans and are right there with them. For us at the book release tomorrow... it is a late Friday night in July. An adventure is what it is to us and isn't that what summer vacation is all about?

Cheryl: Even though the HP series are all fiction, many parents worry about the strong dark overtones in the HP stories and the effect that it will have on their children. Are you concerned at all with the darkness of the stories and the impression it will give to your children?

Cat: I have not allowed my son to go any farther into the series then I think he is ready for. My son knows it is a made up story and that the characters are not real. Since I have monitored all of this I am not worried at all. I am more concerned that he will repeat ugly words that is heard frequently in PG movies for kids. That is real and he knows it. There are many classic kid's movies that contain stories of good vs. evil. Disney is well known for that format. Snow White is the first to come to mind with a witch, a magic mirror, and a deadly potion in an apple. We all still eat apples! Bottom line is that I am keeping it age appropriate for my son so it doesn't become a problem. That is my job as a parent and I take that quite seriously.

Cheryl: What will you do now that the Harry Potter book series is going to be complete? Do you already have another book series in mind to start with your children?

Cat: I know there are more books series out there that may be similar, but I haven't looked into it yet. I have this last book in the Harry Potter series to read and I intend to relish every page!

Cheryl: Finally, will you all be dressing up for the festivities on Friday night? If so, who will you all be dress up as? Why are you dressing up as these particular characters?

Cat: Yes... I will be Tonks. She is a fun, hip witch that helps Harry in book 5. She is good AND pretty! 5 year old Blade will be the classic Harry, and Gunner will be Dobby the house elf. Gunner is 7 months... how more elfish can you get?

Davis Kidd Booksellers is located at 387 Perkins Road in Memphis, Tennessee. The Harry Potter book release party begins at 10:00 p.m. The festivities will include air-brush tattoos, balloon animals, fortunes & prophecies, a magic show with Magic Mr. Nick, snowy tribute to Dumbledore, photo ops with Hogwarts professors, a Care of (Live!) Magical Creatures Class with the Memphis Zoo, costume & trivia contests with great prizes. Refreshments will be available in Brontë's Three Broomsticks. Not to mention the release of the final Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

If a book release party is not your thing, you can attend a sporting event too. The minor league baseball team The Memphis Redbirds are having a Harry Potter Night on July 27. You can come out to enjoy the game, root on the Memphis Redbirds, and also partake in many different Potter themed fun! You can even purchase the book at the ball park!

Memphis definitely has your bases covered when it comes to Harry Potter parties. Choose your favorite, or come to them all!