Harry Potter Programs November 20 & 23

[Peg Kerr]

Please see press release below.  I'll be one of the panelists at the
panel at the University of Minnesota on November 20.

Peg Kerr LiveJournal: http://pegkerr.livejournal.com
Web page: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~d-lena/PegKerrBibliog.html

Harry Potter Programs November 20 & 23

      The Children's Literature Research Collections of the University of
Minnesota Libraries and the Rivendell Group of the Mythopoeic Society
invites the public to a panel discussion of "Harry Potter in the Library
of Childhood," at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, in the Andersen
Library at the Minneapolis west bank campus, 230 21st Ave. S.

      Confirmed panelists include Prof. Lee Galda, of the University 
College of Education Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction, a specialist 
in Children's Literature and children's responses to the books they 
read; and Peg Kerr, fantasy novelist (The Wild Swans, Emerald House Rising).

      The Rivendell Group will also hold an open discussion of the Harry
Potter books and films on Saturday, Nov. 23, 1:30 p.m., at the
Minneapolis Southeast Public Library, 1222 4th St. SE, Mpls.

      Recently, Jack Zipes has suggested in Sticks and Stones: The
Troublesome Success of Children's Literature from Slovenly Peter to
Harry Potter that while many expert critics in the field of Children's
Literature and Children's Books have tended to dismiss the Harry Potter
books and publishing phenomenon, it is important to examine them
carefully for what they are in the context of that phenomenon and the
larger enterprise of writing, marketing and reading books for children.
In his essays, Zipes has raised a number of issues that should interest
all adult readers and parents of child readers of these books. We hope
to explore a few aspects of these issues by beginning with the Harry
Potter books by J.K. Rowling, and exploring some questions related to
the books, their stories, their phenomenal success, their context in
fantasy and in children's reading and
contemporary culture.

    The Rivendell Group of the Mythopoeic Society meets on a monthly
schedule to discuss myth, fantasy and imaginative literature, especially
in the traditions of such writers as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and
Ursula LeGuin.  Anyone interested in our topics is invited to join us.
Future programs will include readings of original stories and poems in
December, and a discussion of the new Two Towers motion picture in
January.  Located in the Andersen Library, the Children's Literature
Research Collections (including the Kerlan and Hess Collections)
constitute one of the finest such resources in North America.

      Thank you for your consideration.  Should you have any questions
about these events or The Rivendell Group, I can be reached during the
day at (612) 626-3375, or at home at (651) 292-8887. Web page:
www.umn.edu/~d-lena/RIVENDELL.html Email:  d-lena at ...

        --David Lenander