There’s something about the first snowfall, the glow of twinkling lights, and a good story that feels like magic.
This fall, public libraries have a delightful new way to share that feeling with their communities.
As announced at the recent ALA Conference in Chicago, Hoopla is partnering with Pottermore Publishing to bring Christmas at Hogwarts, a brand-new iconographic eBook, to public libraries. Inspired by Harry Potter™’s very first Christmas at Hogwarts, this cozy tale is designed to capture everything readers love about the wizarding world: friendship, wonder, and just the right amount of holiday sparkle.
More than just another retelling, the iconographic format transforms the story into a dynamic, immersive experience, featuring professional narration, engaging sound design, and gentle pan-and-scan visual storytelling that keeps eyes and imaginations moving. Exclusive to Hoopla, this version gives libraries a unique opportunity to offer a new digital experience to a familiar story.
The eBook is especially well-suited for younger readers just beginning their reading journey and families looking for something special to enjoy together during the holiday season.
Harnessing the Magic for Young Readers
As the iconographic format naturally supports early literacy and shared reading, it becomes an especially powerful tool for drawing young readers into stories in a way that feels approachable and fun rather than intimidating.
With its combination of narration, motion, and visual cues, the experience helps emerging readers follow along and stay engaged, all while building confidence. It’s an ideal addition to storytime playlists and family engagement efforts, offering caregivers a ready-made, interactive reading experience to share together.
At the same time, it provides a fresh way to reintroduce the story to longtime Harry Potter fans, inviting them to rediscover familiar moments through a format that feels new and exciting.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone ranks among Hoopla’s most popular titles, a testament to the ongoing love readers have for these stories. By presenting that same magical world in innovative, interactive formats, libraries can tap into that existing excitement while also lowering barriers for new and younger audiences.
For children who may not yet feel ready for a full-length novel, this kind of visually guided storytelling can serve as an easier first step into reading independently. Offering familiar favorites in new formats doesn’t just sustain enthusiasm, it actively helps cultivate the next generation of readers, inviting them into the joy of stories in a way that feels accessible, engaging, and just a little bit magical.
Casting the Spell of Easy Access
Starting this fall, patrons of Hoopla libraries will be able to instantly borrow Christmas at Hogwarts with their library card, with no waits, holds, or stress.
As Jennie McCann of Pottermore Publishing puts it, “Libraries play such an important role in fostering a love of reading.” This collaboration is all about building on that mission by creating new opportunities for young readers and families to discover (or rediscover) the joy of Harry Potter’s world, just in time for the holidays.
Be sure to keep an eye out, because a little Hogwarts holiday magic is headed your patrons’ way soon!
