Homeschooling Mom and Children's Literature Expert says Harry Potter Books Open Lines of Communication between Family Members

Contact: Christine Schicker, 404-610-8871

HUNTINGTON, Indiana, Aug. 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- In an age when popular culture trends like iPods, text messaging, and emerging social networking sites seem to deepen the divide between parents and their children, the Harry Potter phenomenon provides an opportunity to bring families together. Thousands of children around the world still have their noses in the long awaited final Potter book, while others are re-reading the first six books, completely immersing themselves in a world of pure imagination, and that's good news according to one parent.

Nancy Carpentier Brown is a homeschooling mother of two and children's literature expert. In her new book The Mystery of Harry Potter, Brown shows parents how to use the Harry Potter novels as a jumping off point for discussions about the moral lessons found in the books. Brown encourages parents to get to know the Potter characters with their children, and believes that the series, when read and viewed with the right discipline and guidance, will lead to stronger relationships between parents and children. "Too often parents don't know what's going on in the lives of their children, who their friends are or if they are learning the difference between right and wrong. The Harry Potter books are a good way for parents to reconnect with their kids and open the lines of communication again."

Brown believes one of the finest qualities of the Potter novels is the positive depiction of parents, adults, teachers, and other guardian figures. "In many of today's children's books, parents or adults are nowhere to be found and if adults are characters in the books, they are often represented as weak, stupid, absent, abusive, or neglectful. That is not the case in the Potter books. Not only is Harry respectful to the adults in his life, he must rely on them for help, knowledge, and advice. Harry's desire to know and emulate his parents, especially his father, is a wonderful quality in the books."

Brown's The Mystery of Harry Potter gives parents an opportunity to enter the world of Potter with their children without having to read the novels themselves (which for some parents can seem overwhelming given their busy schedules). "The Harry Potter books are full of ideas that cause one to pause and think and for that reason are brilliant opportunities for our young people to grow in wisdom and virtue. Rowling packs themes into her books which invite the reader into deeper thinking: death, choices, love, friendship, temptations, dealing with anger, facing evil and learning from wiser teachers. These are the themes that parents should be discussing with their children and if approached together will lead to wonderful moments between parents and kids."

Brown has produced the must-have resource for any parent whose children have fallen in love with the Harry Potter books. She guides readers through the entire Potter series with helpful anecdotes and insights that helps parents and children grow closer as they embark on an unforgettable journey through a magical world where sound moral lessons are the most important things an apprentice wizard can learn.

To schedule an interview with Nancy Brown, contact Christine Schicker at (404) 610-8871.