I guess I'd rather have the Harry Potter type of fantasy than the wallowing in violence that so much of our culture and entertainment is fixated on. In fact, the fourth Potter book is quite disturbing with some of its dark and violent themes, and there are other. There are also some language issues as the author has her primary characters growing up.

I don't really take a like it or dislike it position on Harry Potter. I do admit that do I like some things that are bad, that's what temptation amounts to. However, I decided to read the Potter books because I wanted to know how to respond when the books came up as an issue, being so popular and sometimes controversial. Should I warn people against them, or try to offer balance to criticism or even endorsement? From a critical perspective, I think the author did a good job setting forth the story she wanted to tell. I don't think the story lends itself to an endorsement of real world witchcraft or getting involved in sorcery, but as stated in a different e-mail, I respect those who refuse to have any involvement in anything about magic, including fiction. I don't think I have a case for warning people against these books, although I think parental guidance is highly appropriate for all of them, and even more so for book four.

It is a mistake to uncritically consume the Potter books, or the other kinds of entertainment you mention. It is also tempting to be very severe in restricting (or wanting to restrict) questionable and potentially harmful entertainment. I generally find myself on the conservative end of such conversations, pointing out the harm of violent content, or lewd content, or amoral characters. Perhaps for the moment I find myself on the liberal side of the fence? But I don't really think so. While I am much in favor of discretion and parental input for children on Grimm's fairytales, I don't know how to make a good case for utterly rejecting them. I'm in the same situation regarding Harry. But that's MY situation.