The Harry Potter Series

By J.K Rowling

"A week ago, Harry would have said finding a partner for a dance would be a cinch compared to taking on a Hungarian Horntail. But now that he had done the latter, and was facing the prospect of asking a girl to the ball, he thought he'd rather have another round with the dragon." - from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

What are they about?: In case you've been living under a rock for the last 13 years, these books tell the story of Harry Potter, a boy-wizard, and the friends (and enemies) he makes at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Packed with every sort of fantastic creature and beast you can think of, and some you probably wouldn't, these stories of Harry's adventures are some of the most widely-read books of our time.

Why your child should read them: Okay, so it's not a book but a series. Still, what makes Rowling's stories so popular is the incredibly imagined world she creates within them. Characters are not one-dimensional or cliché but real and alive in the readers' minds. Harry's world is so rich with history and creativity (Rowling illustrates everything from the school's admissions requirements to the kids' favourite sport, Quidditch) that readers begin to believe that this alternate reality seemingly could exist. Most importantly, though, is that the books are intelligent and fun and do not talk down to the reader at all — just a few of the many reasons why almost as many adults enjoy these books as children do.

Click here to buy the Harry Potter Children's Box Set, Book 1-7