To The Best of Our Knowledge from Wisconsin Public Radio

The pint-sized wizard harry Potter has conquered the book world, and it's not just kids who love him. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, what's behind Harry Potter's popularity. Also, acclaimed author Katherine Paterson on the emotional lives of children. And the magic of great picture books.

Children's author Katherine Paterson tells Steve Paulson that too many people deny the emotional reality of childhood. Her books are popular because she recognizes the fears children face. Paterson has won the Newbery Award and the Hans Christian Anderson Medal. Her books include "The Bridge to Tarabithia," and "The Great Gilly Hopkins."

To mark the opening of the movie version of "The Sorcerer's Stone," an exploration of the phenomenal popularity of the Harry Potter books. We hear from elementary school fans, and from writers Lee Siegel, Henry Jenkins, Alison Lurie and Donn Esmonde, who all offer their takes on what makes the books by J.K. Rowling so successful.

Christopher Paul Curtis won a Newbery honor and a Coretta Scott King honor for his book "The Watsons Go to Birmingham." He reads an excerpt from "Bud, Not Buddy," the story of a ten year old Black boy living on his own during the Great Depression, and tells Judith Strasser why he writes historical fiction, and how he moved from hanging doors on a factory floor to becoming a writer. Also, a discussion of what makes a successful children's picture book. Participants include: Kevin Henkes, author and illustrator of "Owen," and "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse;" Uri Shulevitz, author and illustrator of "Snow" and "The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship;" Barbara Barstow, a librarian who's chaired the Caldecott Medal Committee, and Steve Paulson.

Distribution dates:

• week of 11/11/2001 - hour 2
• week of 01/09/2000 - hour 1