I don't think I've ever read a single really good childrens' book, the kind that become classics, that isn't a treasure of enjoyment for an adult. I'm not talking a nostalgic treasure, either, since I missed most of the classic kids' stories when I was a kid and read them the first time as an adult. Also, being on the last chapter of HP4, I can say that (1) Harry and his stories appeal to adults and (2) Rowling is dealing with adult themes. (I'm still reeling about Cedric.)
Mr. Corliss' analogies are good ones, too. "Best" lists of all kinds should reflect what people are actually buying, no matter how mindless and stupid it is. I refer in this case not to HP or even to the Beatles, but to Danielle Steel, whom Mr. Corliss calls with such stiletto sarcasm as being "more adult" than Harry.
The Times has made itself look really stupid. Its reputation has already been on the wane, with its proclaiming best-sellers lately that most people meeting around the water cooler have never heard of, much less read. I very much suspect Mr. Corliss is right about the "wished for" sales being reported. Now it takes a poke at the most popular book since who-knows-when, and ends up giving itself a black eye.