[des]

I'm reviewing this here and not in the book review section as it is not at all about Christianity (with some references to Jesus, the Knights, etc).

Superficially this is a book that would likely enrage some fundamentalist types as it is (while not mentioning Harry Potter directly) a book on crafts with a wizarding theme, many of which are Harry Pottereque (a magic mirror, an "invisibility cloak, etc). It is a beautiful book with wonderful illustrations, padded cover,beautiful type faces, a purple ribbon book mark, etc. The directions for each activity are less than clear.

But what this is really is a book on wizardry, pagan thought for kids. The book assumes a high degree of parent imput so that it would not be terribly accessible to a young child. Aha though, exactly what the right wing is afraid of. Almost all of the crafts would require an adult assistant and working together on something fairly time consuming with the tv off isn't all bad, imo.

The author goes back and forth in her persona as being a male wizard and 600 years old.
This makes it a little less serious. There are great legend stories throughout and info on reading tea leaves, casting 'good spells" (not exactly as much fun as making things levitate by saying "wingardia leviosa" though :-)). I think it is a pretty neat quasi pre-intro kind of into pagan beliefs and rituals without really taking itself too seriously. Some fo the crafts (like the lamp with stars and moon on the shade are really cool too). Most reviewers on Amazon, did not take it at all "seriously" as such.
Other reviews here:
http://www.amazon.co...onDate&n=283155


--des

[Theo-Maniac]

In my opinion the Fundies that take this stuff seriously and burn these kinds of books are more of a danger to themselves and others than the books they are protesting. I haven't read anything about this book in particular, but I would have to agree, that anything that encourages kids to get out from in front of the TV, and spend quality time with their parents should be encouraged as much as possible, not discouraged.