The film (I don't like the films nearly as much as the books but Imelda Staunton is one of my favourite actresses and the kids maturing can only improve their very limited acting abilities) is eagerly awaited.

But most of all - the last book which will be purchased at the second of publication and consumed slowly and with pleasure over the next couple of weeks.

Please remember - I got into this magic world of JK (no coincidence) Rowling very early (1997?), released the very first Harry Potter tribute CD compilation (still available on e-bay and Amazon globally) which features a photo of me in swimming trunks aged 11 looking, I have to say, exactly like Harry Potter at that age but without the scar, spread the word (my god daughter, now 15, remembers me giving her the first books 7 years ago - and Richard Griffiths will confirm his entire family was force fed Potter by me in the late 90's)... so the saga has been a part of my life for a decade now.

I shall be sad to read the final words but I have to say "thank you" to JK Mark2 for providing an incredible, exhilarating, joyful, intelligent and exciting series of adventures.

Maybe we can all stop reading childrens books once this torrent has dried up.

Nothing wrong with reading children's books, although I must admit I wasn't impressed with Rowling's first Potter book and haven't got round to reading the others.

Anyone else read The Thief Of Always by Clive Barker? It is a book he wrote for children, and a quality piece of imaginative literature.

A great book is a great book whether technically described as children's or adult's - after Pullman's rave (it came second to him in "Best Ever Children's Book" recently) for Tom's Midnight Garden, I've bought it and will read it (first published in 1958!).

There's nothing wrong with wanting to sit back and simply read a great yarn once in a while. There's no better storyteller than JK Mark2.

Actually JK Mark1 ain't too bad either. I've just finished reading Bible Two, which I picked up for a snip from Ebay, signed and all!

Very enjoyable read indeed.

(Not safe for work)

I`ve read that one Cat, by Clive Barker, I read everything he did for years, the best of which is still "Weaveworld" for me, despite some continuity errors in the editing.
In the trophy cabinet to this day, on my right here, is a letter from him politely turning down working on a video shoot with me because he was directing a thing called "Hellraiser"!

How does the board feel about Tolkein?
Were they written for children or not, or were they written to crossover, like arguably Pullman and Rowlings more recent works?

"Watership Down" was an interesting publication as well. It came out in Puffin(for kids) and Penguin simultaneously.

Lest we not mention Roald Dahl as well, great kid books and horrific thrillers.
Being able to write is great, but can you imagine what it must feel like in the head of a storyteller?
JK Rowling and Tolkien are/were lucky in many as having an ongoing saga, writers like Stephen King and Clive Barkers` minds must flit all over the place with plot and character ideas all day and night.

From what I gather, Tolkein wrote The Hobbit as a children's story, but the Lord Of The Rings trilogy was aimed at older readers.

Another wonderful book is 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' by Ray Bradbury. Not sure if it's for children, but it's a good read for any age. I rate it as one of my favourites, not so much for the story but for the way that it's written - very poetic prose. I wonder if chapter 31 holds a record for being the shortest in any book.

I'm also a fan of the late great Leon Garfield. Very witty yet very moving. A bit like Dickens meets Stevenson. Great stuff.

I'm not a literature nazi, of course people can read whatever gives them pleasure (apart from dan brown). I just don't rate potter that highly, it is a great read for children but lacks the depth that i would look for in a great novel.

I have a hatred of Watership Down of an intensity that only comes from being forced to drag through it at school. (See also: Brighton Rock)

oh... and that bloody song!