Harry Pottering around at home? Rowling to rescue bored kids in lockdown

An undated handout photo of tablet users looking at a Harry Potter reading guide as J.K. Rowling has announced initiatives to help children, parents, carers and teachers confined at home during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak. — TM&©WBEI. WIZARDING WORLD Publishing Rights © JKR./Handout/Reuters

LONDON: British author J. K. Rowling is hoping her much-loved Harry Potter series will work its magic on bored children stuck at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, the first book in the series about the boy wizard, will be available for free worldwide as an ebook and audiobook throughout April, as part of an initiative to help parents, carers and teachers entertain housebound children, Rowling announced on April 1.