Why Charlie's better than Harry for kids (USA TODAY)

Harry Potter' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince sold 6.9 million books in the first 24 hours. Even with discounts up to 50% off the $29.99 cover price, the take was over $100 million.
•Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was seen by over 9 million kids and grown-ups. With a national average movie ticket price of $6.21, the weekend take was $56.2 million.
Four of Rachel's and my six children are ages 7-14. Some of their reactions and mine to the two attractions:

Karina, 8: "Wow, he (Charlie) won the whole chocolate factory because he was the best kid with the nicest family. I wish we still had grandparents who could live in our house like his did."

Alexis, 14, was more interested in chocolate factory owner Willy Wonka, played by Johnny Depp, whom she adores "even though he looks a little like Michael Jackson."

The weekend highlight for Alexis was the midnight bash Friday at the local bookstore. That was one of over 5,000 such Harry Potter parties in all 50 states.

But this week I've noticed few pages turned in her Potter book. That's fine with me. I've read all 652 pages of my copy. Conclusion: This book is not really for kids. Too much grown-up sex, sin and death replace the youthful charm and intrigue of the earlier Potters.

So, if your children want to see Charlie twice rather than read Harry once, take them. Buy them an extra chocolate for their good taste.