I WRITE in protest at your film reviewer Richard King who, despite all the advance publicity about the Harry Potter film, decided (in his ego) that he didn't need to read the book first.

The film script stuck to the book diligently. That is why the Stone part appears late.

It was never meant to be a Harrison Ford or Star Wars type of adventure.

I wonder what your writer will make of Lord of the Rings -- now that does take some reading. Is he up to it?

The Potter books are good, not quite in the realms of Tolkien or CS Lewis but they do have remnants of their style. If they get children reading, it is a good thing -- by adults too, Richard King, if you can be bothered (although book 4 drags on a bit!).

I write as the mother of three children, now grown up. All were encouraged to read. One is now a local journalist and one is a junior professor at a respected University. They started with Dr Seuss!

R. Morley, address supplied.