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By Gena Kaiser Tribune writer

Numerous colored tags stick up from the pages as Spring Lake resident Carolyn Gundrum bends over one of her many Harry Potter books and reads her favorite passages, almost from memory.

To anyone who is not familiar with these tales of a young boy wizard in glasses and a cape, it may seem like she's not even speaking English. Words like "bubotubers," "Diricawl," "Gillyweed" and "Hippogriff" can be found among the pages.

But as Gundrum explains, that's why readers worldwide, both old and young, have fallen in love with these books and their pint-sized hero.

"It's an escape from the every day," Gundrum said. "It is good vs. evil and good wins."

But for Gundrum, her love of the Harry Potter books did not begin with America's craze or when she heard young children clamoring for them at a bookstore. She bought the British version of J.K. Rowling's first book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" four years ago, which in America was entitled "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." She admits that she doesn't remember why she picked it up, and she had no idea it would be this popular. Actually, she didn't even like the book at first.

"But then when I sat down and started to read it, I couldn't put it down," she said. "Ms. Rowling has a real way of painting with words."

She has since collected all four Harry Potter books in the British, Chinese and English versions.

A teacher and librarian at Waukazoo Elementary School in Holland, Gundrum slipped the English version of the books into the school library's shelves before they were even popular.

Now she said the students love Harry, and she can't keep the American or English versions of the books on the shelves. She said that she thinks kids can identify with Harry because he's a good person, and he wins the battle between good and evil. For adults, Gundrum said, the books are a way of returning to their childhood.

"Everyone is getting on the Hogwart's Express," she said.

Gundrum has read some of the books close to 10 times and said the second book, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is her favorite.

But her love of Harry Potter did not stop at just reading the books. In 1997, she created a "world" dedicated to the small wizard. She developed a Web site all about the books, with news, games, a list of characters and a glossary.

The Harry Potter site is attached to a Web site she started in 1996, www.mikids.com, which provides educators with resources and lesson plans for the classroom.

Since it's beginning, www.mikids.com/harrypotter has received over one million visitors and currently has more than 3,000 hits a day.

"I was there before Warner Bros. had their official site," Gundrum said, referring to the distributor of the new Harry Potter movie that opened in theaters today. "I'm about the oldest Harry Potter site on the Web."

Her site is also among the best. She has received numerous awards, and her Web site has been highlighted by Warner Bros. as a "best site," Gundrum said. British publisher, Bloomsbury, the original publisher of the Harry Potter books, has also linked its site to hers.

Over the years, her Web site has grown to 80 pages dedicated to Harry Potter. Gundrum works on the Web site for a couple hours each day, adding the latest news and games.

The Web site also offers a forum for discussions of the books, where kids, teachers and parents can dialogue.

"And there is no age. Every one discusses it on a common playing field," she said.

Gundrum also writes to 1,500 Harry Potter fans around the world in a monthly newsletter, which she said goes to France, Italy, Australia, Hong Kong and India, to name just a few places where fans can be found.

"You name it and I've got kids (there) who read it," she laughed.

And with the first Harry Potter movie opening today, there is no question as to where Gundrum will be.

When Gundrum saw the preview of the movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," she said the images are just how she imagined them from reading the books. She wasn't taking any chances in missing Harry's debut on the big screen. She bought her tickets a week ago for tonight's show.

As a librarian and reader, Gundrum said that there haven't been many books that have crossed as many languages, ages and cultures as these books have. The Harry Potter books can also be commended for turning children onto reading and getting them interested in other books as well, she said.

"It's like a step up into good literature," she explained, adding that when students finish the Harry Potter books, they ask her for suggestions of other books that would be similar. On her Web site, she has a listing of about 40 "Books like Harry."

The first four books, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" have all met with great success. This isn't just a fad, Gundrum said, adding that she doesn't see this excitement ending any time soon. She pointed out that fans are already anxious for the fifth book.

"They can't wait. They are chomping at the bit. They can't wait for the fifth book to come out," she said.

And what about those who have yet to crack open even one of these books?

"It will be the Harry Potter era, and those who choose not to read them are losing out on an exciting time in history," she said.

Writer Gena Kaiser can be reached by calling 842-8790 or via e-mail at gkaiser@grandhaventribune.com.

Grand Haven Tribune

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