Here are some tips from South Florida experts Drs. Daniel Armstrong and Mitch Spero in coping with whatever lurks inside “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

* Don’t minimize the loss just because it’s make-believe. “The first book came out in 1997,” Spero says. “If a child started reading them at 10 they would be 20 now. They have basically grown and matured and yet still maintain that storyline.”

* Communicate openly with your child before and after reading the book.

* Children may have intrusive thoughts about a character’s death even while engaging in fun activities. If there is a reaction “don’t label it as an overreaction, but recognize that everyone has their own reactions to loss,” Spero says. “If it truly reaches a point where it kicks up other losses, it may be the tip of the iceberg for someone who is anxious or depressed.”

* In general, a child of 6 begins to understand that death is permanent, Spero says. Prior, a loved one could die and the child may still wonder if that individual will show up for dinner or a family gathering. Understand that each child is unique.

* “Harry Potter” is elective reading, not a classroom assignment, so the impact of the story could have added meaning. “Parents will need to have a straightforward discussion with children about death and dying as a part of life,” Armstrong says, “but that it’s not something that is confronting them in their family at that point in time.”

* Go ahead, stand in line with the kids at the book store Friday night. Rejoice, kids are excited over “reading” a book as opposed to playing mind-numbing video games.

“Would we anticipate that this is going to have profound psychological consequences for most children? Probably not,” Armstrong says. “That’s a message parents can give children. It’s a story. … Sometimes they make us happy. Sometimes sad. This one made us sad, and we move on.”

Potter parties

Here’s a listing of area Harry Potter events scheduled for tonight and Saturday:

* Gere Branch Library, 2400 S. 56th St. Movie Marathon from noon to 6 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. Crafts and refreshments. Sign up for a drawing to be among the first to check out “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

* Barnes & Noble, both stores, 2910 Pine Lake Road and 5150 O St. Midnight Magic Costume Party starts at 9 tonight. Dress as your favorite Harry Potter character. Activities: coloring contest, scavenger hunt, Harry Potter trivia contest and a Nintendo Wii Harry Potter game booth.

* Lee Booksellers, Edgewood Center, 5500 S. 56th St. Release party begins at 10 tonight and runs until 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Special activities: Live owl presentation by Raptor Recovery, 10 to 10:30 p.m.; costume contest; “Spell”-ing bee, a traditional spelling bee, featuring “spell” words from the books; games; trivia; and prizes. Curt Bright from The String Beans will play songs to help count down the last 15 minutes before the book release at 12:01 a.m.

* University Bookstore, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Party starts at 8 tonight. Activities: Magic, fortunetellers, secret passwords, wailing ghosts, noble wizards, Harry Potter-style games and decorations, costume contest, lightning bolt tattoos and rides on the “Hogwarts Express.” At dusk, the bookstore will show the movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” in the yard near the store. The UNL Dairy Store will serve its specially created Harry Potter-themed ice cream.

The bookstore will repeat the free showing of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” at 10 a.m. Saturday.

* Lincoln City Libraries — Magician Jeff Quinn performs at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Anderson Branch, 3635 Touzalin Ave., and at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Walt Branch, 6701 S. 14th St. Free. 

* Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St., Omaha. Magic & Potions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character and your name will be entered in a drawing for a prize package that includes the new book “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Check out the museum’s new Hover Craft, and learn how to build your own. Free with regular admission to the museum.