Recently, needing some comfort reading, I decided to revisit the Harry Potter books. I think I last did so when the final book came out, eight years ago. And I’m discovering them to be better than I remembered. That is, I had much loved the characters and plotting, but I’m finding them funnier and more solidly written than I remembered. (Someone suggested that this was because the earlier books were more tightly edited as the author wasn’t so famous then.) And so it is perfect timing for me that the first of the new illustrated versions, illustrated by Jim Kay, is out today. You can get a taste over at the guardian site. (Have to say, that Sorting Hat is a lot more colorful than the one in my mind —perhaps overly influenced by the one in the movies?)
educating alice 