• Rupert Grint told The Times he still considers J.K. Rowling as an “auntie.”
• It comes as the “Harry Potter” author has been criticized for sharing transphobic viewpoints.
•  “It’s a tricky one,” Grint added.

Rupert Grint recently shared that he still views controversial “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling as family, even though he doesn’t agree with her views on the trans community.

The “Harry Potter” star recently revealed to The Times in the “What I’ve Learnt” series that he views Rowling as an “auntie.”

“I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie,” Grint, who portrayed Ron Weasley in the Blockbuster movie franchise, said. “It’s a tricky one.”

Since 2018, Rowling has been the subject of controversy for her comments on the trans community. She was called out for spreading transphobic viewpoints on social media.

Two years later, Rowling published an essay titled “J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues,” where she addressed critics labeling her a TERF — a trans-exclusionary radical feminist. In the essay, Rowling also shared she was concerned about “the new trans activism,” which she said could harm cisgender women. 

As previously reported by Insider’s Palmer Haasch, Rowling’s comments prompted some actors from the franchise to speak out.

Daniel Radcliffe penned an essay for The Trevor Project saying that “trans women are women” and that he felt “compelled to say something.” Emma Watson didn’t address Rowling directly but tweeted her support for transgender people in the wake of the author’s comments.

At the time, Grint issued a statement to The Sunday Times supporting the trans community.

“I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women,” he said. “Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”

• Pastor Greg Locke on Wednesday led a book burning event to rid “demonic” influences, he said.
• Locke encouraged his followers to toss copies of “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” into a bonfire.
• “IT’S WITCHCRAFT 100 PERCENT,” Locke said in an Instagram post.

A Tennessee pastor held a book burning event on February 2, urging his followers to throw their “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” copies into a bonfire.

The event, which was live-streamed on Facebook this past Wednesday, was held to denounce “witchcraft,” Greg Locke, head pastor at Global Vision Bible Church, said in an Instagram post. 

“Bring all your Harry Potter stuff. Laugh all you want haters. I don’t care. IT’S WITCHCRAFT 100 PERCENT,” Locke said. “All you[r] ‘Twilight’ books and movies. That mess is full of spells, demonism, shape-shifting and occultism.”

“Stop allowing demonic influences into your home,” Locke wrote in a Facebook post that has since been removed, The Guardian reported.

The event comes amid a nationwide movement from schools to impose a ban on well-known works of literature. 

Earlier this month, a Texas parent demanded that her kid’s school remove all copies of a biography of former first lady Michelle Obama from the shelves. The biography, a children’s book, is “leftist indoctrination,” the parent argued. It “unfairly” portrays former President Donald Trump as a “bully” and shames white girls, the parent said.

In January, a Tennessee school board unanimously voted to remove the Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel “Maus” from its curriculum.

“It shows people hanging, it shows them killing kids,” board member Tony Allman said, according to meeting minutes. “Why does the educational system promote this kind of stuff? It is not wise or healthy.”

The “Harry Potter” books have also been banned several times before. In Tennessee in 2019, for example, a pastor at a local Catholic academy removed the popular book series from the school’s library, saying that “the curses and spells used in the books are actual curses and spells; which when read by a human being risk conjuring evil spirits into the presence of the person reading the text.”

Locke’s book burning event is just his latest controversy. 

Last year, in July, he banned masks from his congregation. If anyone showed up wearing a mask, he promised to kick them out of his service. 

“You start showing up (with) all these masks and all this nonsense, I will ask you to leave,” Locke told his congregation during his Sunday sermon on July 25. “I am not playing these Democrat games up in this church.”

He has also flouted social distancing guidelines in April 2020 and said he was “praying and preaching” on the steps of the US Capitol during the January 6 riot. 

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Build-A-Bear® launched enchanting additions to its Harry Potter-inspired collection.  Guests can show off their House pride with new clothing and accessories, join the quest to collect House relics, or fly away with Hedwig and Buckbeak!

“We are thrilled to be bringing more magical fun to Build-A-Bear Workshop,” said Jennifer Kretchmar, Chief Digital Merchandising Officer. “Wizarding World fans are sure to be captivated by these new additions to our Harry Potter collection.  From magical creatures, to new ways to display your house pride, this enchanting assortment has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for the Harry Potter fan in your life or adding a new furry friend to your own collection!”

Visit your local Workshop or experience the magic of making furry friends in the palm of your hand! The online Bear Builder tool is a great way to make unique, customized gifts perfect for the Harry Potter fan in your life by bringing the fun of Build-A-Bear to you – it even includes a virtual Heart Ceremony!

SHOW OFF YOUR HOUSE PRIDE
Dress your bear in its Hogwarts house with themed hoodies featuring the house colors and crests of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.  The hood even has openings for your furry friend’s ears! Complete the look with a matching house beanie!

Fans won’t want to miss the plush Sword of Gryffindor perfect for your courageous Gryffindor House Bear.

The plush toy locket is inspired by the one owned by Salazar Slytherin himself. Witches and wizards of Slytherin house will appreciate the decorative runes and snake-like S on the locket.

“Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure!” Your furry friend will be reminded of these wise words every time they sport this magical Ravenclaw diadem. This plush toy crown is inspired by the iconic diadem of Ravenclaw house.

If you know your Hogwarts history, you know that this Hufflepuff Cup is a must-have item for any fan of Hufflepuff house! This plush golden cup features a badger on the front and has an elastic band so it can attach to your bear’s paw.

MAGICAL CREATURES FLY INTO BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP
Harry Potter’s loyal owl Hedwig is ready to fly into your collection! This feathery friend has snowy white fur, spotted wings, large yellow eyes and the Harry Potter logo on her left talon. Just as Hagrid gifted Harry Potter Hedwig on his birthday, this loyal toy owl makes a magical gift for any witch or wizard in your life!

Now you can take to the skies with your very own Buckbeak! A magical beast that’s half eagle and half horse, this beloved Hippogriff has grey fur, soft plush claws and a fuzzy tail. Available exclusively online at www.buildabear.com, it’s the perfect companion for Care of Magical Creatures class or any magical adventure ahead!

WELCOME TO HOGWARTS
Your Hogwarts acceptance letter is here! Receiving a letter by owl post is an ambition for any budding young witch or wizard. This replica letter has an elastic band so it can attach to any furry friend’s paw. It features the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry crest and is signed by Professor McGonagall, Professor at Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House. You can write a name at the top of the letter to make a perfectly personalized gift for any Wizarding World fan!

CELEBRATE SEPTEMBEAR WITH BUILD-A-BEAR
Win free furry friends for a year by entering the Build-A-Bear Workshop SeptemBEAR Sweepstakes!  In honor of National Teddy Bear Day, celebrated annually on September 9, Build-A-Bear Workshop announced the month-long sweepstakes where fans can enter to win furry friends for a year.  Forty Guests will win this great prize, with ten winners drawn each week. Guests ages 18 and older in the United States and Canada can enter at www.buildabear.com/sweepstakes and Guests in the United Kingdom can visit www.buildabear.co.uk/prizedraw to enter.

For product images, please click here.

For more information about Build-A-Bear, visit buildabear.com, and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About Build-A-Bear®
Build-A-Bear is a global brand kids love and parents trust that seeks to add a little more heart to life. Build-A-Bear Workshop has over 500 stores worldwide where Guests can create customizable furry friends, including corporately-managed stores in the United States, Canada, China, Denmark, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom, third party retail locations and franchise stores in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East and South America. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $338.5 million in fiscal 2019. For more information, visit the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, part of Warner Bros. Global Brands and Experiences, extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world.  WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. The division’s successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences, WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. 

About Wizarding World
In the years since Harry Potter was whisked from King’s Cross Station onto Platform nine and three quarters, his incredible adventures have left a unique and lasting mark on popular culture.  Eight Blockbuster Harry Potter films based on the original stories by J.K. Rowling have brought the magical stories to life and today, the Wizarding World is recognised as one of the world’s best-loved brands.
Representing a vast interconnected universe, it also includes two epic Fantastic Beasts films, (the third releasing in 2022), Harry Potter The Cursed Child–the multi-award-winning stage-play, state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games, innovative consumer products, thrilling live entertainment (including four theme park lands) and insightful exhibitions.

This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros.  owned Wizarding World experiences also includes Harry Potter New York –a brand new flagship store, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London –The Making of Harry Potter, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo, and the Platform 9 3⁄4 retail shops.

The Wizarding World continues to evolve to provide Harry Potter fans with fresh and exciting ways to engage. For the worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, it welcomes everyone in to explore and discover the magic for themselves.

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s21)

SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop

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LOS ANGELES: A first edition of Harry Potter sold for US$471,000 in the United States on Thursday (Dec 9) in what the auctioneers said was a world record price for a 2Oth century work of fiction.

The hardback 1997 British edition of Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone,” with a color illustration on the cover, was described by Heritage Auctions as “magical, incredibly bright and so very near pristine”.

The book was published in the United States as Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone.

The Dallas-based auction house said only 500 copies with the specific binding were printed. The final price was more than six times the pre-sale estimate of US$70,000.

Previous auction prices for Harry Potter first editions have ranged from about US$110,000 to US$138,000.

“Not only is it the most expensive Harry Potter book ever sold, it’s the most expensive commercially published 20th-century work of fiction ever sold,” Heritage Auctions Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena said in a statement.

The book was sold by an American collector and the name of the buyer was not released.

British author J.K. Rowling went on to write six more books about the adventures of the orphaned boy wizard that have sold about 500 million copies worldwide in 80 languages, according to US publisher Scholastic. The books were turned into eight films which made US$7.8 billion at the global box office.

The latest chapter in Hollywood star Johnny Depp’s legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard kicks off on Monday as a U.S. defamation trial begins over allegations Heard made about domestic abuse.

Depp, 58, has sued Heard for $50 million US, saying she defamed him when she penned a 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse.

Editor’s Note: BuzzFeed does not support discriminatory or hateful speech in any form. We stand by the LGBTQ+ community and all fans who found a home in the Harry Potter series and will work to provide a safe space for fans. If you, like us, feel impassioned about trans rights, learn more or donate here.

Platform 9 ¾ is no longer outside of London. It now sits inside the Franklin Institute and nobody has to run through a brick wall to get on the Hogwarts Express.

The world premiere of “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” might be the most immersive, impressive and, maybe, overwhelming exhibit to take over the famed science museum.

“It’s amazing, right,” said Larry Dubinski, the President and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “This exhibition just is immersive. It’s a great experience. It’s just a home run, not just for the Institute but for the whole city. People are going to have a great time when they go through it.”

• Hogwarts Castle comes into view at “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” at the Franklin Institute.

• Sirius Black delivers a message through the fire in the Gryffindor meeting room.

• The various robes worn by Lord Voldemort are on display.

• Bottled Butter Beer is for sale at the end of “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.”

• Some of the classrooms in Hogwarts are bursting with stuff.

• The Golden Snitch at “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.”

• Choose your house at Hogwarts.

• Make sure you add the correct ingredients in the potion.

• The wand chooses the wizard at “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.”

• Plants need some help at “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.”

• Pay attention to the teacher in Defense of the Dark Arts.

• Minerva McGonagall has some words of wisdom at “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.”

• See formal and not-so formal house uniforms.

• The Great Hall including the floating candles are a sight to see at “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.”

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Harry Potter must have turned on some wizarding magic as the presales to attend are outpacing every other exhibit the Institute has hosted since 2007 when King Tut-mania took over. That includes such big sellers as the Titanic, Star Wars, Marvel Comics and the Jurassic World.

“It has surpassed all those,” Dubinski said. “When you think about it, surpassing Marvel, Jurassic, Star Wars, Cleopatra, this is amazing.”

Fans of Harry Potter will be amazed right from the start of the 18,000-square foot exhibit that features 21 different galleries. After a ceremonial boarding of the train (complete with choosing your wizarding house and other Harry Potter-world accoutrements), it’s a short walk to enter a new world.

As visitors explore each gallery, their interactions are captured using RFID wristbands to deliver unique experiences linked to their visitor profile. They will get an up-close look at authentic props and original costumes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films and an opportunity to engage with innovative, awe-inspiring, and magical environments and installations in ways never before experienced in a touring exhibition.

“Being the world premiere, it’s the first time this exhibition has come together,” Dubinski said. “It came from a variety of different locations being built to come here. So, it has been in process for awhile. It was a really intensive build here. No doubt, how large as it is and issues we are still seeing with supply chain and transportation and things like that. We’ve overcome those obstacles and everything is ready to go.”

“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” was created and developed by Imagine Exhibitions in partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment in association with EMC Presents.

“I run Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment out of Burbank, Calif., and I’m proud to be there, but I’m a Philly boy, born and raised,” said Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President of Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment. “The Franklin Institute was my go-to place growing up. We are thrilled to be launching ‘Harry Potter: The Exhibition’ here.”

After “disembarking” the Hogwarts Express, there is a short video that highlights the book and movie series. An original first edition of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” encased in a Gringotts-inspired vault and is surrounded by inspirational video and literary quotes, reconnecting guests to the story as they are introduced to the exhibition.

Hogwarts Castle features an immersive multimedia experience with iconic elements like the Whomping Willow, Dementors, and the Marauder’s Map, where guests will see their name appear, prompting them to continue their exploration of the exhibition.

The Great Hall is a projection-mapped space that allows visitors to celebrate magical seasonal moments on its majestic grounds.

The Hogwarts Houses gallery sets the foundation for the exhibition experience, allowing guests the opportunity to experience more personalized moments with the house they select during their registration. While guests may gravitate towards one house, this Gallery will enable visitors to experience all of the Hogwarts houses in a celebratory hall featuring an iconic Sorting Hat, perfect for photo ops, while surrounded by freshly designed house crests on meticulously created stained glass windows.

Hogwarts Classrooms are filled with iconic props, creatures, and costumes. Visitors will interact with magical lessons and games through digital touchscreens to reveal behind-the-scenes secrets about iconic classroom moments. They will brew potions in the Potions Classroom, predict the future in Divination, pot a mandrake in the Herbology Greenhouse, and use their digital wand to defeat a boggart in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Hagrid’s Hut The Forbidden Forest offers an interactive Patronus charm experience. Guests will then uncover iconic creatures, such as Centaurs and Acromantula, hidden in the forest and explore inside a recreation of Hagrid’s Hut.

Newt’s Suitcase photo opportunity allows guests to step inside his enchanted case and be surrounded by creatures seen in the Fantastic Beasts films.

That only is the tip of the Wizarding iceberg. You can see some of the iconic costumes and wands used in the movies. There’s even a recreation of Harry Potter’s bedroom under the stairs of the Dursley house.

In the end, you can even take home a Butterbeer.

“I think there is a one-of-a-kind fanbase,” Dubinski said. “You know, because of the breath of books and movies and plays, it just has this unbelievable world-wide appeal. It’s great timing for us as restrictions begin to be lifted and people are feeling more comfortable to come out.”

‘Harry Potter: The Exhibition’ is open daily from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and requires special timed tickets; advance reservations are strongly recommended. Daytime Tickets: 9:30 am-5 pm, Adult $43; Child $39 + includes admission to The Franklin Institute. Evening Tickets: 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Adult $30; Child $30.

By Arnaud Siad, Nathan Hodge and Toyin Owoseje, CNN

Updated 1:47 PM ET, Fri March 25, 2022

New book releases and commemorative covers will mark some big Harry Potter anniversaries this year – but not before one of the biggest events in the Hogwarts calendar takes place tonight.

The eighth annual Harry Potter Book Night is this evening – encouraging wizards, witches and muggles worldwide to fly their broomsticks back into the popular series for a night of literary magic.

It’s a big year for fans of the J.K Rowling series, which is celebrating both the 25th anniversary of the release of the book that kick started it all off – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – while also continuing to enjoy 20th anniversary celebrations for the first film that followed.

And while this is only the eighth book night – Potter fans are well known for the enthusiasm with which they celebrate the annual event.

Launched by publishers Bloomsbury to commemorate the seven-book series, previous years have seen bookshops worldwide open throughout the night as readings, magic tricks and some impressive fancy dress costumes have seen stories about the boy wizard brought to life in spectacular form.

And while Covid-19 has seen many Potter-themed parties adopt a virtual setting, organisers have gone to great lengths to ensure the evening remains a firm focus for followers of the adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron.

How to take part…

The chosen theme for this year’s book night is Magical Journeys – in a nod to the number of magical journeys the stories have taken millions of people on since the first book was published on June 26, 1997.

To encourage as many schools, libraries, colleges and households to join in this year with their own events – a downloadable event pack has been produced by Bloomsbury with suggestions of games, crafts and other bewitching activities.

A virtual map – in which class teachers, parents, and book sellers worldwide can share how they are celebrating tonight – or at some point this week – has also been created online to spread the magic as far and wide as possible.

Twinkl – the educational resources website that proved to be a lifeline to families home schooling during the pandemic – has also produced a number of free downloads where youngsters can enjoy activities from Hogwarts letter writing to quizzes.

And today will also see The National Literacy Trust launch its own event to coincide with celebrations – a Harry Potter themed reading challenge called Miles of Magic which will encourage students to set out from Privet Drive and read regularly for seven weeks on a virtual journey to Hogwarts.

It is being launched today by Potter illustrator Jonny Duddle who is also leading a webinar for schools that will include a special draw-along for pupils keen to master their illustrations of character Hagrid.

Get your hands on a magical book cover

Two limited editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will find their way onto bookshelves this year to celebrate the novel’s 25th anniversary.

The updated paperback was released in January featuring new cover illustrations by Duddle, and in June a commemorative hardback edition featuring the original 1997 cover image of the Hogwarts Express is set for release.

Storytelling tips for parents

Telling and reading stories on the move, making up tales, using props and telling tales ‘off the cuff’ are among the tips being shared with parents dipping into books during this week’s National Storytelling Week.

The week-long celebration, running until Saturday and in the same week as Harry Potter Book Night, aims to showcase what a fun and fulfilling experience reading, writing and sharing stories can be.

Former primary school teacher Becky Cranham, founder of PlanBee, the school resources and lesson plan site, has some advice on how to make storytelling a rich experience.

She explains: “Storytelling is an in-built human trait and one that has existed since humans first roamed the Earth. Being able to tell your children stories is not only a great bonding experience but also a fantastic way to develop their early literacy and emotional skills.”

Using your voice to change tone or to convey different emotions, adapting it for different characters, stopping to ask a child questions and adding their name as characters in traditional stories are also all tips for drawing small children into a story and getting them to engage and follow a plot.

And Becky is keen to show families, stories can be told anywhere.

She added: “Storytime does not have to be reserved for the 10 minutes before bed. Get into the habit of telling a story on the way to school, waiting in the dentist’s office, while you’re eating dinner. The more you incorporate storytelling into your children’s daily lives, the more beneficial it will be.

“A quick story can be as simple as picking out someone from the crowd and telling your children all the fantastical things they did they day, or spotting a caterpillar and telling the story of how it will soon become a beautiful butterfly. You don’t need to make time for those grand, sweeping epics every day (although I would recommend them once in a while) – a good tall tale or quick five minute yarn will work just as well.”

To read more about Harry Potter Book Night and taking part in events this week click here.

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