"Bubble bubble toil and tuggle
Calling each and every Muggle
For fun and frolic; games and more
Come to Diagon Alley and see what's in store."
— From Salt Lake-based King's English Bookstore Web site.
Harry Potter mania is building again among Muggles as book five in the series nears its June 21 release date, and some libraries and bookstores will substitute for Diagon Alley in special pre-release parties planned the night of June 20.
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the upcoming 896-page book that is creating lots of anticipation. Indications are that the newest book will surpass the record the fourth installment set. The last book, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," premiered July 8, 2000, and was the fastest-selling book in history on its first weekend of publication.
"I think there's a lot more anticipation with this one than with the other Potter books," said Mary Urban, corporate/educational service representative at Provo's Borders bookstore.
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She said her store has 1,000 pre-orders for the book and is still planning to have more on hand to sell at 12:01 a.m. on June 21.
In addition, the number of reservations is double or triple the total books ordered at many Utah libraries.
For example, the Salt Lake County Library System has ordered 800 copies of the fifth Potter book, but more than 2,300 holds have been requested for the book.
Because the book is so long — 255,000 words, compared to 191,000 words for the fourth Potter novel — some libraries have doubled the check-out period from two to four weeks.
From libraries to bookstores, there are lots of parties planned on June 20 to highlight the book's arrival.
Here's a partial list of that Friday night's events:
Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South — "Midnight Muggle Madness," 8 p.m. to midnight. The Urban Room will be set up as Diagon Alley, with shops taking on names like "Deervish & Banges," "Madame Malkin's" and "The Leaky Cauldron."
There will be crafts, games, face painting plus owls from Tracy Aviary and other animals from Hogle Zoo.
At 9 p.m. and again at 11 p.m., the library has permission from the publisher to read the first chapter of the book out loud.
Sam Weller's Books (renamed "Flourish and Botts Bookshop" for this one night) will take orders for the book and sell what supplies they have at midnight.
Borders bookstores in Salt Lake City (Crossroads Mall), Murray (132 E. Winchester), Provo (4801 N. University) and Logan (1050 N. Main) all have release parties planned.
Each begins at 10 p.m. and includes a costume contest for those wanting to dress up as a series character, along with games and prizes. The stores will begin selling the book at 12:01 a.m.
The Provo store is also looking at getting local teachers to volunteer and create special classes that night in the Harry Potter tradition.
The King's English Bookstore, 1511 S. 1500 East, will have special Harry Potter events starting at 10:30 p.m. on June 20 and will begin selling the book at midnight.
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com