J.K. Rowling launches ‘Harry Potter at Home’

Grab a bottle of butterbeer and open up those battered copies of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them because J.K. Rowling is back to help families everywhere during the current coronavirus pandemic in the best way she knows how: with another return to Hogwarts. The author announced on April 1 (Fred and George Weasley’s birthday no less) that she’s launching a new hub that will specifically help kids, families and fans to get their learning and creativity on while they’re hunkered down and social-distancing at home.“Welcome to the Harry Potter At Home hub where you’ll find all the latest magical treats to keep you occupied—including special contributions from Bloomsbury and Scholastic, nifty magical craft videos (teach your friends how to draw a Niffler!), fun articles, quizzes, puzzles and plenty more for first-time readers, as well as those already familiar with the wizarding world. We’re casting a Banishing Charm on boredom!” reads the official site.[video_embed id='1814988']RELATED: Holy Harry Potter: it’s a real-life invisibility cloak[/video_embed]The author also jumped on social media to make the announcement, proving that Hogwarts, the Remote Learning Edition isn’t just some poorly timed April Fool’s Day joke. Caregivers everywhere now have one more clever resource to help with the very real struggle of entertaining and educating kids at home while schools and daycares are closed across the world. “Parents, teachers and carers working to keep children amused and interested while we’re on lockdown might need a bit of magic, so I’m delighted to launch harrypotterathome.com.” Rowling wrote.

Parents, teachers and carers working to keep children amused and interested while we’re on lockdown might need a bit of magic, so I’m delighted to launch https://t.co/cPg0dZpexB pic.twitter.com/i0ZjTplVoU

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1, 2020

Let’s be honest, Potterheads who don’t fall into any of those categories will probably also visit the site to help pass the time if they’re shut up at home, because if Rowling has proved anything with her Harry Potter novels over the years it’s that a good story really is timeless. The original Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was released in 1997, which makes this franchise 23 years old now. Yet new kids are discovering the story every day as their eager parents and siblings sit down with them for rereads.

Hope this is for adults too, I looooooove Harry Potter ?‍♀️?‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/5Vtc7SorZm

— Hollie Brooks (@tweedy17) April 1, 2020

@jk_rowling only had a pen available but I did my best! ?

What do you think? pic.twitter.com/Y2XsT3Yofy— Maddy Eisenberg (@maddyeisenberg) April 1, 2020

All I can say is thank you! I have a 6 year old and her big brother just finished reading her the first book. Your books are making this "stuck at home" thing magical. So excited to show the kids this new website.

— Amy Graff (@bayareamoms) April 1, 2020

For caregivers looking to introduce young ones to the magical story for the first time (or for Potterheads wanting to revisit the world and find some light a la Dumbledore during this dark time), the first novel has also been added to Audible’s library of free books as part of Harry Potter At Home’s official launch."For over twenty years now, Hogwarts has been an escape for all—for readers and fans, young and old," says a post on the site. "During the strange times we now find ourselves in, we want to welcome you back to Hogwarts, where you will find a friendly retreat for you, your family and those you are caring for."Considering fans are still a ways away from actually conjuring up a patronus to get them through the pandemic, this could very well be the next best thing to spark joy.[video_embed id='1932670']RELATED: Eight essential survival tips for families living in close quarters[/video_embed]