Today Scholastic has announced a new venture: “Scholastic Reads,” a bi-weekly podcast, about the joy and power of reading, the books they publish for children and young adults, and the authors, editors, and stories behind them. Scholastic will explore topics important to parents, educators, and the reader in all of us. Listen to a preview talking about the security for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows here.
Suzanne McCabe (left), Scholastic Editor-at-Large and host of the new podcast, “Scholastic Reads,” chats with Scholastic Editor Cheryl Klein (right), about her harrowing experiences trying to keep the “Harry Potter” manuscripts top secret. “Scholastic Reads” is a new biweekly podcast all about children’s books and the joy and power of reading, featuring in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of children’s publishing. Listen now: http://www.scholastic.com/scholasticreads (Credit: Scholastic)
From the press release:
“Scholastic Reads,” a new podcast about children’s books and the joy and power of reading launches today with a behind-the-scenes look at the Harry Potter series as told by Cheryl Klein, the continuity editor for the 6th and 7th books in the series. This new, biweekly podcast from Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, will feature in-depth interviews with bestselling children’s book authors and illustrators, editors and experts, who will provide their insights about writing, publishing and trends in children’s books – as well as their personal book recommendations in “ask an editor” episodes. Suzanne McCabe, Scholastic Editor-at-Large, hosts “Scholastic Reads.”
“From the magic of the Harry Potter series to insider stories from the world of children’s books and publishing, our new podcast series is perfect for anyone who loves to read, as well those who want to inspire children to discover the power and joy of reading,” said Suzanne McCabe, Editor-at-Large, Scholastic and host of the “Scholastic Reads” podcast. “We plan to offer listeners behind-the-scenes insights, book recommendations and much more from the Scholastic family of YA and children’s book authors, illustrators, editors and experts who are passionate about great stories and the power of books to ‘Open a World of Possible’ for children.”
Upcoming “Scholastic Reads” episodes include:
Podcast Episode #1: The Magic of Harry Potter: What sets the Harry Potter series apart from other popular children’s series? How did it become the most recognizable in all of children’s literature? Cheryl Klein talks about her work as continuity editor on the series and shares harrowing stories about keeping the final manuscripts secret. Literacy expert Pam Allyn, Founding Director of LitWorld, weighs in on how Hogwarts and the lessons Harry Potter teaches us can be valuable for educators.
Podcast Episode #2: Kids’ Books Holiday Hotline: Giving the gift of reading can be difficult, especially when you have a reluctant reader on your holiday shopping list. Children’s literature experts David Allender and Preeti Chhibber of Scholastic Reading Club answer parents’ trickiest book-buying questions.
Podcast Episode #3: Every Child a Super Reader: Literacy experts Pam Allyn, Founding Director of LitWorld, and Dr. Ernest Morrell, Columbia University Professor and former NCTE President, talk about their new book, Every Child a Super Reader, and how parents and teachers can develop students’ seven key strengths to transform them into “super readers.”
Podcast Episode #4: Book Trends of 2016: What are the big trends in children’s books for 2016? Children’s literature experts David Allender and Preeti Chhibber of Scholastic Reading Club share their projections for the New Year.
It has been announced all over the Fantastic Beasts social media accounts that we can expect the first trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them on December 15th! View the teaser for the release below:
A video posted by Fantastic Beasts Film (@fantasticbeastsmovie) on
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be released on November 18th 2016. It is the first of what is expected to be three films starring Eddie Redmayne as zoologist Newt Scamander. Warner Bros. also issued a press release with some more information on the film including some new actors and their character names:
Warner Bros. Pictures will debut the first announcement trailer for the much-anticipated adventure “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” via worldwide satellite on December 15, 2015. The trailer will give audiences the first glimpse at a never-before-seen part of the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is an all-new adventure returning us to the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling.
Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) stars in the central role of wizarding world magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident…were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Katherine Waterston (“Steve Jobs,” “Inherent Vice”) as Tina; Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) as Jacob; Alison Sudol (“Dig,” “Transparent”) as Tina’s sister, Queenie; Ezra Miller (“Trainwreck”) as Credence; two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton (“In America,” “Sweet and Lowdown”) as Mary Lou; Oscar winner Jon Voight (“Coming Home,” TV’s “Ray Donovan”) as Henry Shaw, Sr.; Ron Perlman (the “Hellboy” films) as Gnarlack; Carmen Ejogo (“Selma”) as Seraphina; Jenn Murray (“Brooklyn”) as Chastity; young newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty; and Colin Farrell (“True Detective”) as Percival Graves.
The film marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, whose beloved Harry Potter books were adapted into the top-grossing film franchise of all time. Her script was inspired by the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, written by her character Newt Scamander.
The film reunites a number of people from the “Harry Potter” features, including producers David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram.
Collaborating with Yates behind the scenes are: Oscar-winning director of photography Philippe Rousselot (“A River Runs Through It,” the “Sherlock Holmes” movies), three-time Oscar-winning production designer Stuart Craig (“The English Patient,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “Gandhi,” the “Harry Potter” films), three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (“Chicago,” “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Alice in Wonderland”), Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Tim Burke (“Gladiator,” the “Harry Potter” films), Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Christian Manz (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”), and Yates’ longtime editor Mark Day (the last four “Harry Potter” films).
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is being filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, which was home to the “Harry Potter” films for a decade. Some scenes were also shot on location in Liverpool, England.
Warner Bros. Pictures has slated “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” for worldwide release in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX on November 18, 2016.
In addition to their video announcement featuring Evanna Lynch and Alan Gilmore, Universal Studios Hollywood have released a TV spot for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Universal Studios Hollywood have also sent over a press release with some more information.
This eagerly-awaited news coincides with the launch of the destination’s spellbinding campaign, which is stylistically designed to sweep guests into the land’s magical world through the lens of imagination.
The campaign is anchored by a new television spot designed to build suspense and enthusiasm while evoking a sense of wonder and succinctly capture the magical appeal that “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” has for cross-generational consumers as it announces the April 7 opening date.
In making the exciting announcement, Universal Studios Hollywood illuminated the land’s Hogwarts castle to signal the arrival of today’s momentous news.
More specific information on what fans can expect from the park is as follows:
More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is being masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real-world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. The land will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.
From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will transport guests of all ages to the very places they read about in the stories or watched on the silver screen.
Upon entering the land through the archway, Hogsmeade will bustle to life with the same vitality of a quaint local village: merchants hard at work, a train conductor welcoming new arrivals and a pub packed to the gills with hungry patrons, but with the added element of enthusiastic guests intent on experiencing them all, including the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” and the family outdoor coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™.”
An achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut at Universal Studios Hollywood in hyper-realistic 3D-HD designed to further immerse guests in an already engaging storyline. The multidimensional thrill ride features a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. In this updated adaptation of the ride, guests will sport Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles as they venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.
Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™” will open as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor roller coaster.
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will resonate with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in Harry Potter’s world with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™, and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts.
A foray through the shops will add to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™.
Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
As we posted last week, today Universal Studios Hollywood is making a special announcement about “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” set to open this Spring! Watch the video below for the exciting news and join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
That’s right – the park will be opening on April 7th 2016! We will update as soon as Universal Studios Hollywood sends over more information!
J.K. Rowling’s charity, Lumos, is launching a new campaign to help kids with disabilities. Last year Lumos raised over $30,000 on Indiegogo to build a first-of-its kind Special Education Unit (SEU) in Ialoveni, Moldova. This year they are funding an inclusive education project to help furnish the unit with the specialised equipment that the children will need to go to school, some for the very first time. They are looking to raise $35,000 before December 22nd. You can visit their Indiegogo page to donate to the cause and get some great perks.
Lumos is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded by J.K. Rowling to help countries reform their services for disadvantaged children. We believe that children need families, not orphanages, and are committed to ending the institutionalisation of children worldwide by 2050.
Universal Studios Hollywood has let us know they will be announcing something very exciting for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter next week. Maybe we’ll hear the opening date?! On Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7am PT / 10am ET they will share a video announcement on their YouTube page. We will update with the exact link when the announcement goes live.
The Day Has Arrived!
The Countdown is on for the Much-Anticipated Spring 2016 Arrival of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and Universal Studios Hollywood is About to Make Headlines with Very BIG News
This has been the #1 question asked since the theme park first announced that “Hogwarts is coming to Hollywood” in 2011. The perennial question will soon have an answer and Universal Studios Hollywood is about to shed some light on it.
Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
