KOKO helps JK Rowling with new Harry Potter site. ~ KidsOKOnline

J. K. Rowling made an announcement that has made Harry Potter fans around the world very excited and has made KidsOKOnline (KOKO) very happy indeed.

We have been working with J.K. Rowling's development team at TH_NK in secret for 2 years, and now at last, we can reveal the project that will change the face of publishing forever!

Pottermore, the new Harry Potter website is a fantastic adventure that adults, teens and young children will just love! It will change the nature of reading. Reading will now be a social activity.

The Harry Potter storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous illustrations and interactive ‘Moments’ through which you can navigate, starting with the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. You choose a magic username and begin your experience. As you move through the chapters, you can read and share exclusive new writing from J.K. Rowling, and, just as Harry joins Hogwarts, so can you! You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup.

At a press conference at the Victoria and Albert Museum, J.K. Rowling revealed that Pottermore brings to life the Sorting Hat and Ollivanders experiences from the books for the first time. The Sorting Hat places newcomers into their Hogwarts houses according to their characteristics. The Wand Chooser finds the right wand for each user from over 33,000 possible combinations.

KOKO worked with J.K. Rowling's literary agents from the earliest conceptual stage to guide the site owners and their development teams to make sure that the finished site would be a safe and delightful and educative experience for children and young people.

KOKO advised on effective child protection systems and worked with digital agency TH_NK, advising on the concepts and design of member activities. Pottermore is designed for a global audience, so KOKO researched and advised on international legal guidelines on child protection.

It has been a great honour and frankly, a real thrill, to work on this amazing ground-breaking project. We believe Pottermore is a delightfully stimulating, purposeful and creative environment where children and adults will safely enjoy a delightful and compelling experience.

Here's a sneak preview of some of the activities: