Xi Cao Blog #1

I did not read the Harry Potter books before or after the movies, so this is totally new for me. However, I have heard so many discussions about it from my friends since its success. Look at the first two books, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets; I considered those two books as fantasy and children’s literature at the same time.

First of all, when I read about the Diagon Alley chapter of the first book, I was surprised by Rowling’s imagination that how she can think out, write out, and sort out all those ideas, such as bundles of feathers, strings of fangs, and snarled claws hung from the ceiling (Rowling, 81), and my favorite part so far which I desire to try: they had a good time eating the Every Flavor Beans. Harry got toast, coconut, baked bean, strawberry, curry, grass, coffee, sardine, and was even brave enough to nibble the end off a funny gray one Ron wouldn't touch, which turned out to be pepper (Rowling, 104). It brings me to my childhood’s dream, try to taste everything and it is candy! It is just so interesting for me to image if I taste all those flavors of beans. I really enjoy Harry Potter.

As for the children’s literature, I realized it while I was reading the first two chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which was early. The technique, tone, and content of Harry Potter books are suitable and official for children to read, or a foreigner like me that has English as a second language, except the length is a little long. Since I only read the first two books, so far, I do not think it is too dark for children to read. In fact, I think children like adventure and the exciting story as Harry Potter.