Daniel Radcliffe, other stars to read first Harry Potter book for fans

In an attempt to keep Harry Potter fans entertained through this tough time, the recently launched Harry Potter at Home site by J.K Rowling, has announced that the friends of the wizarding world like Daniel Radcliffe, David Beckham, Dakota Fanning, Stephen Fry, Claudia Kim, Noma Dumezweni, Eddie Redmayne and other celebrities will read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone chapter-by-chapter in a new online series.

“Each will be reading different sections of this iconic book — with its themes of family, friendship, courage and overcoming adversity — to families around the world,” an official description says.

The Harry Potter books were written by J.K. Rowling and adapted as a film series starring Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. Radcliffe played Harry Potter in the movies.

Radcliffe has already kicked off the reading in a video on the site. Fans can also listen to the first chapter, “The Boy Who Lived,” in audio form on Spotify.

In April, Rowling launched Harry Potter at Home, an online hub featuring Harry Potter content meant to entertain people as they stay home amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Mattel’s new collection of toy doctors and nurses

Mattel has announced a new line of Fisher-Price toys that honour doctors and nurses titled #ThankYouHeroes.

The line includes action figures and Little People Community Champions that pay homage to those fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. A selection of EMTs and delivery drivers are also represented and the five-character Little People set also includes a grocery store worker.

The #ThankYouHeroes line is available for pre-order through May 31. Each items retail for $20. All net proceeds from #ThankYouHeroes will go towards #FirstRespondersFirst, an initiative that supports first responders and healthcare workers.

Mattel plans on releasing several other toy lines to support modern-day heroes through their Play it Forward programme which gives back to communities in times of need.

“#ThankYouHeroes is designed to immortalise and honour healthcare and everyday heroes, and to drive additional donations to support first responders,” Chuck Scothon, senior vice president of Fisher-Price and global head of infant and preschool at Mattel said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 23rd, 2020