[HPforGrownups] Re: picture books?

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 732

Hi --

Neil Ward wrote:

> I think the media are largely to blame for misinterpreting the books
> as
> children's books *only* from the outset and failing to take on board
> the
> likely development, given the year-by-year progression through
> Hogwarts.

It should be no great surprise that I agree with this, but I think the
publishers (both Bloomsbury & Scholastic) have to take their fair share
of the blame.  They've marketed & panned the books as for children from
the get-go, and of all people involved, *they* (her editors in
particular) ought to have been well-aware that the series wouldn't
always be appropriate for 9-12 yr olds.  If they were listening to her I
guess.

In fairness, I suppose Bloomsbury didn't really expect the books to be
as wildly successful as they have been and can be somewhat forgiven for
not having a better long-range vision for marketing.  But, Scholastic
must have had some inkling since they got in a bidding war over the HP
property.

> Okay, I'm generalising, but even when adults have been mentioned in
> articles, it's invariably in the context of 'hey, adults like these
> books
> too!'  With GoF, journalists suddenly found themselves questioning the
>
> suitability for young children, as if the change in tone was a bolt
> from the blue.

Yes -- it's as if they suddenly realized "Hey, wait a minute, she really
meant it when she said she wasn't going to keep those kids in perpetual
pre-pubescence."  I don't understand *how* this could have been a
surprise to anyone who had really been tracking JKR's public statements
on the issue.

>  They could have anticipated it, but they seemed to have largely
> ignored JKR's own comments on her intentions for the series.  She pays
> attention to her younger readers, but she has always been adamant that
> she won't tone things down in the later books.
>

I know we've talked about this before, but I for one am glad we're not
going to get a watered down version of the story she wanted to write (at
least I hope she continues to stick to her guns on that one).

Joywitch -- I *love* your idea about whether the adult *covers* would be
enough to force the NY Times to track them on their bestseller list.
After all, logically, the books with "adult covers" are *intended* for
adults or otherwise they wouldn't exist.  What a brilliant idea.  Anyone
have an email contact for Scholastic?  <g>

Penny


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