Harry represents just an ordinary

kid, with family problems and insecurities like the rest of his peers;

however, he was able to latch on to the impossible, the unbelievable,

which deep down, I believe we all desire to do.

What's the harm in dreaming

a little, in finding solace in a book which contains the same amount of

magic as preceding fairy tales of evil stepmothers and frogs turning into

princes?

If you try to stifle children's

fantasies, then our world will truly be hopeless and dark. I think one

reason why God instructs believers come to him like children is because

children are able to put faith in things which adults, with all their

knowledge and realistic approaches, are quick to dismiss as foolish and

inconceivable.

Well, let the kids believe.

Let them run down the stairs each Christmas morning with the belief that

a jolly old man in a red suit has rewarded their goodness Let them trust

in a God who they can neither hear nor see, and lastly, let them be captivated

Today, in our country, people

grow up too fast. They are forced into acquiring a rational and pragmatic

attitude towards life because, for some reason, people seem to fear what

creativity can bring. These books bring happiness to children, not evil

intentions; everything that isn't realistic isn't wrong.

The great philosopher Thoreau

once wrote that "dreams are the touchstones of our character."

J.K. Rowling's whimsical writing simply gives young men and women of the

world somewhere enthralling to escape in; for what's the point of being

a kid if you can't hope in something magical?

Marybeth Williams

Peachtree City, Ga.