Harry Potter’s Vibrating Broomstick

I haven’t seen Harry Potter and I haven’t read the book—frankly, I have no desire to do either.  I don’t understand why huge droves of adults are going crazy over a series of childrens’ books.  Well, maybe I’m starting to understand now…

Mattel has come out with the ”Harry Potter Nimbus 2000 Broom”.  It’s a toy version of the flying broom from the series, I guess.  That’s fine, it seems like a natural marketing spin-off—I mean, you have to squeeze every last penny of profit possible, right?  So what’s the problem, you ask.  It’s this: the toy is aimed at the pre-teen market… it’s meant to be put between the kids’ legs… and it vibrates.

Anyone else think Mattel should have thought things through a little bit?  I sure do.  At least some parents are figuring it out, too, if this Amazon.com customer review is any measure:

This toy was #1 on my daughter’s Christmas list. So what the heck, although it has no educational value I figured it would be good for imaginative play. It wasn’t until after she opened her gift and started playing with it that I realized that the toy may offer a more than sensational experience. The broomstick has cute sound effects and ***VIBRATES*** when they put it between their legs to fly. Come on---what were the creators of this toy thinking? She’ll keep playing with the Nimbus 2000, but with the batteries removed.

But then again, some of these parents aren’t that bright, I guess (another customer review):

When my 12 year old daughter asked for this for her birthday, I kind of wondered if she was too old for it, but she seems to LOVE it. Her friends love it too! They play for hours in her bedroom with this great toy. They really seem to like the special effects it offers (the sound effects and vibrating). My oldest daughter (17) really likes it too! I reccomend [sic] this for all children.

Some of the other customers reviews through the link above are good, too. (via Davezilla)

Posted Monday September 2, 2002 in Humor by Chris Curtis

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Comments

I know that’s what it seems, a “children’s book”, but like Anime is not “just a cartoon”, neither is HP just a kid’s book.  The latter two books are *really* dark, in fact, I can’t see how any kid under the age of 12-14 can read them without getting nightmares!  The first two books are not as good, the second being probably the least interesting, but trust me, they’re *really* good.  Very dark (Main characters getting violently killed and such), very complex, and extremely creative in creating an entirely different world and explaining how it can co-exist with the real one.  Read em, it doesn’t take long except the last two. Hell I have em all on audio books if you’re lazy.  Although the last book is about 17 CDs long....

Hikaru - Avid HP fan

By Hikaru Ichijo on September 2, 2002 at 09:55am link

Oh, my god!  My girlfriend has read the books and likes them, but still accepts there KIDS books… There’s a bit of a difference between Anime and Harry Potter, main one being four letter words being used for different reasons.  Although the whole HP (not the sauce) phenonenoninonimon may be impressive, but still, It’s a kids book… As is lord of the rings…

Still, the broom might be an idea for a Christmas present!

By Harry Potter on November 8, 2002 at 08:39am link

hey i think that those reviews are either jokes or they really couldnt figure it out (LOL) but hey i think kids should be allowed to have a little “fun”. I mean, the whole idea of this toy probably wasnt that well thought out but have you seen some of the things people are making these days? there is even a Hello Kitty vibe! http://www.hellocat78.1hwy.com/
I really dont see why people are so ashamed that their kids might be exploring their sexuality. its a natural thing. just go with it.

By jim smith on July 1, 2005 at 01:41am link

Lord of the Rings isn’t a kids book moron. Just because a book is fiction doesn’t make it a kids book you douchebag.

By Douglas on October 5, 2005 at 07:18pm link

I never read the books or saw the movies, they look dumb.  But I love the magic broomstick.  Sometimes great things slip into your hands when you’re not paying attention.

By Seth on May 11, 2006 at 03:02pm link

yeahhh. lord of the rings is definantly a kids book you freak

By Bill on December 27, 2006 at 08:38am link

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