Ever since J.K. Rowling created the character known as Harry Potter, who at the age of 11 finds out that he is in fact a powerful wizard, the world was taken by storm and the Harry Potter mania hit every book stores, movie theaters and video games. Not only that, with the boom in internet shopping and the recent introduction of Harry Potter audio books, the phenomenon continues to spread and now, downloadable Harry Potter audio books in different audio formats such as MP3, OGG, etc, Harry Potter audio books on CD/DVD, and Harry Potter books on tape are available for purchase.

Harry Potter Audio Books are available in the United States for $25 to $60 dollars. To give you a better idea of the pricing structure, here is an example – “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone” is available on 7 CDs lasting in total 8 hours 25 minutes:

CD 1: 73'59 minutes
CD 2: 73'57 minutes
CD 3: 72'48 minutes
CD 4: 69'27 minutes
CD 5: 71'30 minutes
CD 6: 74'00 minutes
CD 7: 66'16 minutes

This can be purchased for a total cost of about $50.

Harry Potter audio books that have been released and available for download/purchase include –

• Harry Potter Audio Book 1 : The Sorcerer's Stone
• Harry Potter Audio Book 2 : The Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter Audio Book 3 : The Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter Audio Book 4 : The Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter Audio Book 5 : The Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter Audio Book 6 : The Half-Blood Prince

In the American edition of the Harry Potter audio book series, Jim Dale, a singer, songwriter, and actor from Rothwell, England, is the voice of all the characters. His work on the Harry Potter audio book series has won Dale a Grammy Award (2000); one Grammy nomination each for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; and two AudioFile Earphone Awards. For the UK edition, Stephen John Fry, an English comedian, author, actor and filmmaker, is the voice.

The Harry Potter audio books have been highly praised by many, who regard it as an exceptional educational activity for dyslexic children and younger kids who can not read yet. For children who dislike reading books, once they listen to the Harry Potter audio books and become familiar with the stories, it may be able to guide and encourage them to start reading the Harry Potter real books. In addition, the Harry Potter audio books can teach them new words, accurate pronunciations, and proper speaking techniques. However, critics have also accused the Harry Potter audio books of encouraging children to read lesser than they would usually do in normal circumstances. Others have also blamed the audio books of stealing away the imagination and creativity of the children.