A seven year old child's brain is still far from full-grown. Not until age thirteen does a human brain reach adult size. But at age seven there is enough cortex to make logical connections. Santa Claus becomes a game instead of a reality. Easter bunnies don't lay eggs. Magic does not overcome reality.

But then, there's Harry Potter. Seven year olds, regardless of their intellectual abilities, are still very helpless. How alluring it is to dream your way back into a baby world where just a wish and some magic gives you power over the monster under your bed. I suppose that is an easy way for a child to cope with powerlessness.

It is tempting even for reasonable adults with fully functioning brains to wish, dream and pray for magical powers. Americans' current preoccupation with magic- specifically, religion- indicates that many people are overwhelmed by daily stresses. In a complex, fast-changing world it is easy to feel voiceless and powerless. Intelligent adults set aside their ability to reason for a magical fix. However, for adults as well as children, reason solves problems while magic is just a childish distraction.