There was barely enough room to swing a kneazle at Ballarat Library’s Harry Potter Book Night, and it was easy to see why fans of all ages were getting swept up in the magic.
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The sold-out evening, the fourth in Ballarat, was a celebration of the books, with potions, a charms class, and Butterbeer on offer.
Walking in, everyone was sorted into houses – though the sorting process appeared far less fraught than the books – and could earn points by completing activities.
The creative costumes, from Dementors to the Whomping Willow, were paraded down the red carpet for the hard-fought costume competition - even parents were happy to get involved.
A magician was on hand to teach some real magic tricks, and everyone could decorate a wand to take home with them.
Library community engagement coordinator Lesley Morgan was overjoyed - while she would not be drawn on which book was her favourite, she said it was amazing to see so many young people engaging with reading.
“Children read the first one, then they want to read all of them, then they want to read more because they’ve enjoyed them so much,” she said.
“I think it’s important for literacy, for children’s literacy, that they’re reading things that are promoting that love of reading.”
The free event, which is held globally, is first advertised in November, and Ms Morgan said this year, tickets were sold-out in 10 days - that’s almost as hard to find as tickets for the Quidditch World Cup.
- with The Daily Prophet
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