February 13, 2008 11:56 pm

Cut and paste version of story Photos North Andover: Eagle-Tribune reporter, Rosemary Ford . Mark Lorenz/Eagle-Tribune

Magical world of 'Spiderwick Chronicles' comes to theaters

The Grace children share their fantastic world in the film version of the popular series of books, "The Spiderwick Chronicles."

By Rosemary Ford
CNHI News Service

— Harry Potter has his realm. The Baudelaire children of Lemony Snicket fame have theirs.
Now it's time to make way for the Grace children, who share their fantastic world in the film version of the popular series of books, "The Spiderwick Chronicles," that opened Valentine's Day in theaters around the country.
The New York Times best-sellers are about a mom (Mary-Louise Parker) and her kids who move into the magical house owned by an eccentric relative. In the house, the children discover a world populated by fairies and goblins, and encounter a few perils along the way.
Overall, the five volumes of the "Spiderwick Chronicles" - published by Simon & Schuster at $9.95 each - have sold more than 1 million copies in the United States. While it doesn't match the success of "Harry Potter," the books are pretty popular, according to Sue Little, owner of Jabberwocky Bookshop in Newburyport, Mass.
"When you see kids come back and waiting eagerly for the next one, you know they are working," said Little, who would count the book among her five best-selling children's fantasy series. "They are really popular."
Nine-year-old Max Currie of Andover found the books a little short, but he liked them.
"It was good," said Max, who can't wait to see the movie. "I think it's cool they have characters hiding from them in their house."
Andrew DePaola, 9, of Newburyport, calls the books "amazing."
"I like how they make it sound real," he said.
Andrew is also looking forward to seeing the film.
"I want to see how different and how similar it is," he said.
Sherry Bailey, a 58-year-old librarian at the Derry, N.H., Public Library, first picked up the books because she's a huge fan of "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling. She knows the books are popular items at her library and others in the region.
"I read all six books in one day," she said.
For Bailey's tastes, the books were a bit dull. But she does see the appeal for young readers.
"They are entertaining books," she said. "I would recommend them for kids who want something adventurous."

Rosemary Ford writes for The Eagle-Tribune of North Andover, Mass. E-mail her at rford@eagletribune.com