Harry Potter Encyclopedia

[Bibbidi]

I just started reading Harry Potter (book 1) to my girls at bedtime. If I were smarter I'd probably read it to them in the afternoon (to avoid bad dreams) but oh well.

Anyway, I was wondering if there is a book/chart out there that just lists a drawing/photo of the Harry Potter characters from all the books. I don't care about the history behind the potions/settings, etc. I just wanted a character chart to keep up with everyone we've encountered (and have yet to learn about in the books). So far I've just made a stick figure chart for my girls to help them keep it all straight, but I was hoping something more professional existed. Everything I found on amazon was a much more in depth encyclopedia of the whole world of Harry Potter, instead of just the characters.

 

[snickerboo]

I don't know if there's a book like that. There are a lot fo guides to HP (MUggles Guide to the Wizarding World, Field Guide to Harry POtter, Idiot's GUide to Harry POtter). There are several online resources but not with pictures ( Harry Potter Lexicon, kidsreads Harry Central, Scholastic, etc.) This site has movie pictures of the characters: http://harry-potter-games.com/Harry_Potter_Characters.htm
How old are your kids? Mine both started HP @ 7 and didn't have any trouble keeping the characters straight. In fact, I think they do better at that than I do. LOL I'm reading the series to ds (7) now. We're 2/3 through Prisoner of Azkaban.

 

[SandrA9810]

snickerboo: I was watching clips from the Oprah interview the other day. J.K. and she's just now starting her son on book one at age 7. She's like, I think I need to tell every one "don't show him the books yet". She says that he still doesn't grasp that his mom is the one that created Harry Potter, he just likes the story.

Bibbidi: I think by having your kids help you with creating the chart, will make it easier to remember who they've read about. And you should try to let them come up with how they look, rather than using movie pictures because not every one is in the movie.

 

[Bibbidi]

snickerboo: I was watching clips from the Oprah interview the other day. J.K. and she's just now starting her son on book one at age 7. She's like, I think I need to tell every one "don't show him the books yet". She says that he still doesn't grasp that his mom is the one that created Harry Potter, he just likes the story.

Bibbidi: I think by having your kids help you with creating the chart, will make it easier to remember who they've read about. And you should try to let them come up with how they look, rather than using movie pictures because not every one is in the movie.

My girls are 9 and 7. The 9 year old is quite adept at following along, my 7 year old is often drawing while I'm reading--so I think she is a little distracted at times--she's also a very visual learner, so it helps her to see the characters. I agree with you, that a photo book of movie characters wouldn't be as helpful--I was hoping for more of a book that had drawings from the actual HP series that are already featured in the books to help us along. I just know that as more and more characters are introduced, some are left behind, but some keep reappearing--so I figured a chart would help. Thank you both for the suggestions.

 

[Bibbidi]

I don't know if there's a book like that. There are a lot fo guides to HP (MUggles Guide to the Wizarding World, Field Guide to Harry POtter, Idiot's GUide to Harry POtter). There are several online resources but not with pictures ( Harry Potter Lexicon, kidsreads Harry Central, Scholastic, etc.) This site has movie pictures of the characters: http://harry-potter-games.com/Harry_Potter_Characters.htm
How old are your kids? Mine both started HP @ 7 and didn't have any trouble keeping the characters straight. In fact, I think they do better at that than I do. LOL I'm reading the series to ds (7) now. We're 2/3 through Prisoner of Azkaban.

Now will you continue beyond book 3 with your 7 year old, or will you wait for the future books until he's older. My mom (who is a retired teacher) felt that books 4-7 get a little too intense for the younger set. I myself have only read book 1, though I've seen most of the movies.

 

[NotUrsula]

My girls are 9 and 7. The 9 year old is quite adept at following along, my 7 year old is often drawing while I'm reading--so I think she is a little distracted at times--she's also a very visual learner, so it helps her to see the characters. I agree with you, that a photo book of movie characters wouldn't be as helpful--I was hoping for more of a book that had drawings from the actual HP series that are already featured in the books to help us along. I just know that as more and more characters are introduced, some are left behind, but some keep reappearing--so I figured a chart would help. Thank you both for the suggestions.

The thing is, there are no "official" drawings of most of the characters from the books themselves. The only illustrations are the small ones at the start of the chapters, and the book jacket art, which is different in the US and in other countries. I don't have the books in front of me, but offhand the only ones that I remember being pictured in the original books in any way are Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Malfoy, Snape, Dobby, Sirius, Fleur, Luna, and a Dementor.

You could photocopy the book jackets and cut out the images, and also photocopy the chapter vignette sketches, but it would still leave you dozens of characters short.

I seem to recall that the jacket illustrations on the UK versions of the books have more portraits included. You might be able to pull those up on Amazon.co.uk. (Remember that the UK title of the first book is HP and the Philosopher's Stone.)

 

[Best Aunt]

I believe someone tried to publish an encyclopedia. J.K. Rowling and her publisher brought a lawsuit to stop it, so that the person trying to publish the encyclopedia couldn't make money off of Rowling's work product.

 

[rantnnravin]

i LOVE LOVE LOVE that you are working on keeping a chart with them!!!!! you have NO idea how useful this will be for them later / in high school in keeping track of story elements. (I teach HS English) - While pre-made charts made be nice, the skill you are teaching them is invaluable. KUDOS Mom!

Also - use the characterization clues in the books to create the characters in your own chart - it's so much more meaningful that way

 

[JoiseyMom]

My DS9 started reading book 1 this summer and is up to book 2 now. He can't put them down. He is familiar with the movies so he has a good handle on the characters.

 

[Fyrefly]

As mentioned before, the only official drawings are the ones before each chapter and on the jackets.

Maybe they can draw the characters themselves if they really need a chart to keep track? I think it would be better for them to read about Harry's bright green eyes, messy black hair, and scar then draw what they think he looks like then to see a picture of him. Same with all the minor characters who you must rely on your imagination to picture too.

Also seconding what was mentioned earlier. Starting at Book 4 things get dark quickly. Make sure your kids are old enough to handle themes like death (major character deaths, and lots of them) and war, they are not glanced over in the slightest. Also Book 5 is full of teenage angst/love drama, which may either go over their heads or bore them out of their skull. I still can't read that book. I was 16 or 17 when it came out but I could barely make it through Harry's puberty woes. At least know she writes angry teenagers accurately...

 

[Bibbidi]

i LOVE LOVE LOVE that you are working on keeping a chart with them!!!!! you have NO idea how useful this will be for them later / in high school in keeping track of story elements. (I teach HS English) - While pre-made charts made be nice, the skill you are teaching them is invaluable. KUDOS Mom!

Also - use the characterization clues in the books to create the characters in your own chart - it's so much more meaningful that way

Thanks for the compliment It is fun working out a chart together--and we're trying to draw the characters as they are described. Guess we'll spend a little more time on it and enjoy our "vision" of what the characters look like based on the book's description of them.