Joe,
You hit the nail on the head. These are enjoyable children's stories. And thank God for them and hope for more. She sparked an entire resurgent interest in good stories for children. Just peruse the aisles in any bookstore. "Loads", to quote Hermione!
I responed to Stephen:
Stephen,
I'm afraid I'm with Joe. A good children's book needn't be up to par with Tolkein to be good and enjoyable and fun.
I read quite a lot of non-fiction scholarly works on theology and liturgy, so when it comes to my novel reading, I enjoy a wide variety of styles and tastes simply because reading is relaxing for me.
Since when is reading novels first and foremost about being up to par with something? Play, meaning having no purpose (or presupposed product or end rather than enjoying reading or enjoying God as the case may be), really is what it's about for me. In that sense, novels and liturgy are for me in the same genus.
For me reading stories whether children's novels, science fiction, Moby Dick, Cannery Row, and all, has been for fun, for story, for getting to learn something more about ourselves through others' tellings. I can curl up with Harry Potter and enjoy on a tired day or a day off and just enjoy a good yarn. I can do the same with the Silmarilion or Redemption Ark or The Witching Hour.
Hey Joe. My name's Eric - After coming across it, I've really enjoyed reading a bit of your blog. I hope you don't mind that I've added it to my list of recommended online reading. Thanks for writing! 
Thanks Eric, and welcome. Hopefully I can get back in the swing of things and write a bit more soon.
BTW, your blog is excellent, and will soon be added to my own list.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
You are so right, Joe
IT'S NOT ABOUT US!!!!!!!!!!!!
We can't hear that often enough. I too was disappointed in Rowling's waiting 'til now tho pass this bit on. Was this for self-preservation or merely to score some PC points?
Well, in the end, none of it really matters that much.
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