Introducing Harry Potter to Jake

Like most of you, I too am a huge Harry Potter fan. Last year I started reading the first book to Jake but it ended up taking us about a year to get through (I realise now that age six was a litle too young for him). Half way through the book I took a six month break as my patients wore thin as I had to explain what was going on every few sentences, I had to explain all the new magical words, help him figure out all the characters etc... Right before first grade ended I decided to give Harry Potter another try and this time Jake was completely ready. Instantly he was hooked to the story, characters and could follow the plot. We finished the second half of the book in about a month and we loved every page.

I promised Jake that after we read each book we would watch the movie. We made a big night of it and I have to admit that I really enjoyed the movie as I haven't seen it since it first came out in theaters. Jake on the other hand was a little upset as it skipped a lot of the book - at the end of the movie he stated very sternly and kind of grumpy "the book is way better than the movie".

Soon after, we started reading Chamber of Secrets and we finished it in about six weeks. Jake again loved it. It's been fun watching him live in Harry Potter world. I can tell that it's always on his mind as he's always talking about it and asking questions and trying to solve the mysteries. (This time he enjoyed the movie a lot more than the first time as he was more prepared of what to expect - but he still loves the books more).

We're now half way through the 3rd book and we're still loving every second of it. I remember my first time reading Harry Potter and falling in love with it as I was transported into the Harry Potter word, I also remember thinking to myself that one day I'll get to read these amazing and extrodinary books to my children. And, here I am living this dream and loving it more than I thought I would.

I'm so thankful that Harry Potter has introduced Jake to a magical, imaginative and incredible world but what I'm most thankful for is that Harry Potter has given Jake and I something in common and have bonded us in such a special way. I know I'll never forget these special evenings reading to my son and I hope he will always remember sharing Harry Potter with his Mom.