Before I get into further details, I want to openly say that I love literature, books, and words. There is nothing more rewarding than when I walk through bookstores or libraries and feel right at home among book covers lining up shelves. When I was growing up, I was the kid who read all the books from the school's library (a small one,) and in my free time, I used to write stories from my imagination. So, I am not against literature, imagination or stories filled with wonder.
When you look back through history, there is no difficulty in finding kids books containing magic, witches, and wizards. Thousands of children's stories contained characters who were part of such atmosphere. However, starting with Harry Potter and moving forward, there has been a slight change to the stories. This time, the witches, wizards, and magicians are going to be portrayed as friends, not the enemy. There won't be a clear separation anymore between good and evil, dark and light, helpers and enemies.
Can you see the twist? Dragons used to be monsters who ate sailors, now they are our kid's best friends. Monsters were kept away from the bedroom at night, now they are welcomed in. Witches wanted to eat the children, now they want to transform our kids into their apprentices. Dark is light, evil is good and enemies are helpers. No wonder our kids are so confused!
The change is not an accident in the literature world or a bigger amount of writers being inspired to dare to be different. This slight twist has a purpose, a very wicked one. Because once the truth is relative, and there is no difference between good and evil, then the existence of a good God is relative, and the existence of an evil Devil is relative, and our children are free to follow whoever they want.
Now, I have heard some dispute saying there is a lot of cuteness to these book's characters, they are not doing real witchcraft and they even teach good life lessons about acceptance, friendship and conquering challenges. I have to agree that it does not look dark at first, but that is exactly the point. Make it fun, interesting and captivating and kids will follow.
I know what real witchcraft looks like. Growing up in Brazil, across the street from us, lived a witch. Yes, a real one. Many times we could see on the empty lot across the street chicken carcasses surrounded by candles, leftovers of the night sacrifices. Years before that, when I was a baby, my family lived in a town of witches and wizards. The most magic city in my entire country, filled with alternative gods and goddess, and everything in between. Last time I visited my first home, there was an altar built outside by the new owners for night offerings.
You see, there are a lot of places in the world where kids don't need to go to Universal Studios to see wizards and witches, they live right across the street from them, and the kids know there is a big difference between good and evil. Unless we tell them otherwise.
My kids don't ask to read Harry Potter because they understand the "why" behind the "what". They know that it is not about books, characters or entertainment. It is about establishing clear boundaries between following the light or following the darkness. Because there is no path in the between.
However you feel about this subject, take some time to think about it. Start to notice the twist, you will see it everywhere.