Why launch a children's book at midnight? What's that about?

[beansprout]

As well as the grief of buying the damn thing at that time, there were presumably a lot of kids staying up as long as they could to read it too who will be either knackered or just plain over sleeping today.

What would be so wrong with 10am this morning?!!!

I just don't get it.

Hype.

It's the 'witching hour'...adds mystery and excitement...

...and hype.

Surely you are not suggesting this whole thing is being hyped?!!

I took dd into town at 11.15. I work her up, having kept it a surprise for her (she is 10 btw). She has a cup of hot chocolate while I had a coffe and we waited.

It was fun. It was a bit of excitement for her. the people there were friendly and good natured and happy. It was a nice place to be.

We came home, snuggled up and read for an hour and then went to bed. Fab.

Who gives a tinkers cuss if it was hype? We both enjoyed ourselves. And it was all rather sweet and harmless.

I wasn't actually suggesting it was harmful, I just don't think it is particularly practical for a lot of families.

Oh I bet DD loved it MB!

Aw, it's a one-off for most of them, or at least a once-in-a-blue-moon. Quite an adventure for them, and no doubt memorable too.

She thought it was (no pun intended) magic!

Realise it doesn't 'work' for all families, and this is the first time we have done it. Last couple of books were delivered by Amazon! not quite as much fun

Hehe, I took my pyjamaed boys to Kwik-save last time (on the Saturday morning). I then "dragged" a barefooted DS1 (10 i think) a couple of yards into the shop because I needed a child with me to get it for a fiver (which I hadn't realised).

He found it hilarious, and still laughs about it now.

We then proceeded to "share" the book until I finished it.

Not QUITE the same magic, lol.

Lots of sweeties handed out last night. the MN foodie police would have had a firld day!

Apparantly the booksellers were given strict time tables of when the boxes could be opened, when the stuff could be put out etc.

They worked very hard and made sure we all had a good time.

A marketing ploy

What book's that then?...........

Henry Potter