talkmagic.co.uk

Sad, I know but I saw the new part work 'magazine' in a newsagent's shop yesterday - it's all about learning chess and uses the Harry Potter theme with chess prices collectable over several weeks/months based on the designs used in the film, HP and the Philosopher's Stone.

The reason I noticed it is that the first issue, apart from being only £1.99, has a magnetic wand which is used to magically move the equally, but oppositely polarised, magnetic Rook piece also included with the first issue. The wand is a bit plasticy, but can be improved with a bit of finishing here and there, and I guess most kids will soon spot it as you even use one in a performance, but the adults might not be so well informed. As gaffed wands go it's quite powerful but an additional small diameter neo on the end increases the 'push' quite a bit. Without the extra neo, it would still be good for locating shimmed cards, coins and so on. Later items in the series, apart from other pieces, are trinkets and items from the various HP films which might make useful props.