Back at the Downey City Library, there is an exhibit celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book,
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which arrived in American bookstores on September 1, 1998.
Do you remember your first exposure to Harry Potter? I do. I kept reading encouraging reviews, and finally decided to read it myself. I fell in love with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hedwig, Hogwarts...I could go on and on. I immediately read the book out loud to my daughter. And I joined the millions of kids (young and old) who eagerly awaited each new volume. Each one got longer and longer, but that was OK, because it was just more to enjoy.
And then, there were the audio versions, with the absolutely delightful Jim Dale reading the books. Did you know that he once held a Guinness World Record for the number of voices he created for
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (147)? He and Harry made my daily commute so much more fun. Sometimes, I was sorry to get home!
Books! I love them, and I love that they are freely available for all at the library, for a new generation to fall in love with books new and old.