December 2004     Vol.5 Issue 12

Two authors try to match
the Harry Potter phenomenon

Two successful authors of adult books have joined forces to write a set of three children's books that they hope will come close to matching the popularity of the enormously successful Harry Potter books. The authors are Dave Barry, author of about twenty books for adults, but best known as a humor columnist in daily newspapers across the country, and Ridley Pearson, also an author of about twenty books for adults. They came up with the idea of writing a three book series that are prequels to the old and popular "Peter Pan", written by J. M. Barrie.

The first book in the series is "Peter and the Starcatchers." It has already placed high on the New York Time's best seller list of children's books. The book itself starts laying the groundwork for explaining such things as why Peter Pan can fly and why Peter will never get older than about ten years of age. Tinker Bell is introduced; the character who will become Captain Hook plays a part in book one; and the crocodile nemesis of Captain Hook also makes its appearance.

Book one is fast moving and filled with enough humor, suspense, and adventure to hold the interest of most young readers. Whether "Peter and the Starcatchers" will come close to matching the success of the Harry Potter books will depend upon the tastes of thousands of children in America and abroad. Parents can be comfortable in knowing that it is all just clean fun.