Hearing Harry Potter

It’s difficult to think of any recent popular culture phenomenon packed with as many positive aspects as the Harry Potter craze: kids reading enthusiastically, the publishing industry getting a much-needed boost, a welfare mom becoming enormously successful by refusing to abandon her dream. Everybody wins. Almost.

I was very disappointed to read that Jim Dale, the extremely talented voice(s) of the Harry Potter audiotapes, does not receive any residual or royalty payment from the millions sold (“The Wizard of Voices,” by Lynne Heffley, Aug. 21). One would think that at $33 to $39.95 per audio book, the folks at Random House Listening Library might find it in their hearts to offer some sort of participation to the man who so expertly brings J.K. Rowling’s wonderful words to life.

Maybe Ms. Rowling could insist. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do.

RUSSELL BUCHANAN

Woodland Hills