Recently, Insight Editions sent over a copy of their newly released book, Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book: Based on the Film Phenomenon for me to review for the site. The book retails for $34.95 and was released on November 16th of this year. The book was written by Lucy Kee with the engineering (since this is three dimensional) done by Bruce Foster. Harry Potter Concept Artist Andrew Williamson did the art for the book.
Upon first opening the book, readers are brought into Dumbledore’s Office to see an envelope from the Ministry which contains 3 posters to hang on a wall. There is also a Howler that welcomes you to the book. Next you are on a journey to Dianon Alley to see all the shops. We also see Hogwarts, Hagrid’s Hut, the Dragons enclosure from Goblet of Fire and finally, the Graveyard! Each of the pages has a description of that part of Harry’s world. They also have mini pop-up sections on each page with things like Hedwig in her cage, the chessboard from Sorcerer’s Stone and lots of others.
This book is definitely a fun and interactive book that any fan of the series will love. You are brought into the world and can explore it as if you were really there. The detail of the pop-ups is amazing, you can even look inside windows and you can see what is inside. Readers will need to be careful the first time opening each page, if you go to fast the pop-up parts may rip up. So go slowly and you may need to help the book along with some parts of the pop-up. But once you’ve opened it a few times it should be good to go. The only problem I had was that it was sometimes hard to get the pull out sections to go back into their holders nicely.
They also sent over a fun video trailer for the book that you can watch along with some photos:
Screenlife and Warner Brothers Interactive invite you to test your wizarding wits with Scene It? Harry Potter on the iPhone and iPad. This app is overflowing with movie clips, trivia questions and on-screen puzzles.
Brush up on your Harry Potter trivia and experience a spellbinding voyage that lets you relive your favorite moments from the first six films. Before you can say, “Expecto Patronum,” the magic, fun and excitement of this legendary saga will captivate you and everyone who plays. Scene It? Harry Potter is the ultimate companion app for aspiring wizards.
Scene It? Harry Potter features include:
• 30 distinct quiz sets with 16 puzzle types that provide hours of challenging trivia, puzzles and mini-games
• Dozens of video clips, images and audio clips pulled directly from the Harry Potter films
• An engaging, fast-paced single-player mode
• Head to Head Multiplayer via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (uses multiple devices)
• Table Play Multiplayer (uses a single device)
Luckily my brother has an iPod touch so I was able to play the game, and it does not disappoint. I think in some ways this is better than the DVD version of Scene It? Harry Potter because you can play it alone by doing challenges. When you finish challenges as a single player you can Tweet or share your results on Facebook (or do nothing). You can also do a Pass and Play version where you pass around the device and need to beat the timer or you are eliminated. Finally you can play with other people who have the app by using wifi or bluetooth in the Multiplayer version. The only little problem I had was on the unscrambling letters games it was hard to drag the letter to the right spot, but that is probably because I’m not used to using an iPod Touch all the time. All in all I give the game an A+! And at only $1.99 the game is a total steal!
I was just perusing The Noble Collection and noticed that they have a bunch of new products on their site! There are a TON of new wands, all of which can be seen here. The four most exciting new products can be seen below and you can find all their products here!
Some of the other new items are jewelry such as Narcissa’s spider earrings and Lucius’ snake rings.
Threadless, an online t-shirt store has just emailed to let us know that they have printed a Hogwarts House inspired Tee called “House Brawl“. Threadless is a community of artists who make designs for shirts and the community then votes on each shirt and if a shirt gets enough high votes it goes into production!
This shirt pays homage to the four houses of Hogwarts, featuring the Ravenclaw eagle, the Hufflepuff badger, the Gryffindor lion and the Slytherin serpent. “House Brawl” was designed by Threadless all-stars Alex Solis and Alice X. Zhang.
A video game fan was given the opportunity to play the new Deathly Hallows video game and posted a behind the scenes look at the game as well as some exclusive photos! You can see the photos here and the videos below:
WB has just sent over a new press release that lets fans know about Hot Topic’s Exclusive Harry Potter Merchandise. Read some of the release below and the full one here!
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and its longtime retail partner, Hot Topic (Nasdaq: HOTT), have announced the creation of exclusive Harry Potter merchandise boutiques in anticipation of the Warner Bros. Pictures’ release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1,in theaters November 19, 2010. These dedicated boutiques will feature all-new products inspired by the famous wizard at each of Hot Topic’s 680 locations in the United States and Canada. Additionally, an in-store mobile application will offer challenges and rewards to customers who participate through their iPhone and Android mobile devices.
Beginning today, the innovative Harry Potter-themed boutiques at all Hot Topic stores will offer fans an extensive product line, featuring junior and young men’s and women’s apparel, including exclusive Gryffindor and Slytherin polo and tie combination tees, along with bags, throws, jewelry, key chains, stationery, posters and more—all just in time for the debut of the final title of the blockbuster film franchise.
In conjunction with the product boutique launch, Hot Topic and WBCP will also offer the SCVNGR destination-based mobile promotional application, which will allow customers to unlock digital “badges” by visiting Hot Topic locations and participating in various challenges. Each of the five badges represents one of the four school houses in Harry Potter, along with one for Hogwarts. Customers are encouraged to visit the store weekly for a chance to collect all five and also to unlock the featured rewards: a mini-movie poster and 20% off any in-store Harry Potter item, redeemable at all participating Hot Topic stores. Some of the whimsical challenges include dressing up as a favorite character and posing for the camera or describing their least favorite flavor of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.
— 
