Magic Treehouse books are a popular series of children's books written by Mary Pope Osborne. The series follows the adventures of Jack and Annie, two siblings who discover a magic treehouse that can transport them to different places and times. Each book in the series focuses on a different historical period or event, such as ancient Egypt, the American Revolution, or the Titanic. The books are written in a simple and easy-to-read style, making them accessible to younger readers. They are also educational, as they teach children about history, geography, and science through the characters' adventures. Each book has a clear plot and engaging storyline, filled with suspense and excitement.
I recall reading through the first book, Dinosaurs Before Dark, and I decided not to read the series based on what I read there. The series includes a character called the Enchantress Librarian, and later books (called the Merlin Mission books) do mention magic. We choose to avoid such material for spiritual reasons, so my kids haven’t read them. Additionally, the first book refers to dinosaurs being on the Earth 65 million years ago, so if you hold a “young Earth” view of creation, this might not be acceptable to you. Often times, I just comment that the author holds a different viewpoint than what we believe, or I can just edit as I read (if it’s a read-aloud book).
The books have also been a good starting place for my oldest now age 9 to do some reading aloud to her siblings that is something more than a picture book, but easier than books she is reading herself. Additionally, the first book refers to dinosaurs being on the Earth 65 million years ago, so if you hold a young Earth view of creation, this might not be acceptable to you.
Each book has a clear plot and engaging storyline, filled with suspense and excitement. The main characters, Jack and Annie, are relatable and likable, making it easy for readers to connect with them. Jack is the older and more cautious of the two, while Annie is bold and curious.
Do you think Magic Treehouse books are twaddle?
So what do you think? I’ve pretty much just written them off as twaddle, but honestly I’ve never picked one up and read it. I guess I always figured there were plenty of books available that I felt good about in terms of language, plot, etc., that it wasn’t worth even investigating. My older ones loved reading on their own all the Thornton Burgess books (the little chapter books of Old Mother West Wind and all the indiv chapter books on the different characters) and loads of other stuff. But with my new young crew, I’m struggling a bit more. I think I haven’t nourished them as well in terms of beautiful literature amidst the busy-ness of daily life with a bigger age spread and more children.
I recall reading through the first book, Dinosaurs Before Dark, and I decided not to read the series based on what I read there. The series includes a character called the Enchantress Librarian, and later books (called the Merlin Mission books) do mention magic. We choose to avoid such material for spiritual reasons, so my kids haven’t read them. Additionally, the first book refers to dinosaurs being on the Earth 65 million years ago, so if you hold a “young Earth” view of creation, this might not be acceptable to you. Often times, I just comment that the author holds a different viewpoint than what we believe, or I can just edit as I read (if it’s a read-aloud book).
May 8, 2011 at 8:13 pm ParticipantMy younger children have enjoyed these books as a stepping stone into history for them. For example when we were studying the Civil War as a family it was much more approachable for them to have a Magic Tree House book than many of the other Civil War books that are more detailed. We’ve enjoyed titles that introduce them to William Shakespeare, Leonardo Da Vinci, pioneers, the erruption of Mt. Vesuvius, and more. However, we do not mind mentions of magic via a treehouse, where the children can open a book and say, in essence, “I want to go there” and they are able to travel to that place and time. The books have also been a good starting place for my oldest (now age 9) to do some reading aloud to her siblings that is something more than a picture book, but easier than books she is reading herself. Each family is different in what they read, so I suggest grabbing a few on specific topics that might relate to your studies and pre-read them yourself.
May 8, 2011 at 10:39 pm ParticipantTristan is right about reading some of them yourself. You can likely get a couple of them from your library and read through them in a very short while. You may find some of them are perfect to either introduce or add to the books you’ve scheduled for history. My 11yo son has struggled with finding books to read on his own at bedtime since he is very delayed in reading, and he appreciates having easy biography readers or simple history readers that go along with what we’ve been studying. They are so much more interesting to him than “Amanda the Pig” and other simple beginning reader books. He actually began to be insulted by the twaddley early readers that were available to him.
May 9, 2011 at 12:14 am ParticipantI never really considered these “history” but relatively harmless “practice-reading” fodder for kids who are too old for easy readers and not ready for “real” chapter literature yet. My two youngest sons both read some of them, until they got past the practice-reading phase and could more easily read longer, better books, and then they just naturally moved on. There is a later part of them, mostly longer than the first ones and often hardcover, that I did not like as well, but the first bunch were pretty harmless, and if not great literature, at least free of some of the most egregious inanity in a lot of books for that age.
My younger children have enjoyed these books as a stepping stone into history for them. For example when we were studying the Civil War as a family it was much more approachable for them to have a Magic Tree House book than many of the other Civil War books that are more detailed. We’ve enjoyed titles that introduce them to William Shakespeare, Leonardo Da Vinci, pioneers, the erruption of Mt. Vesuvius, and more. However, we do not mind mentions of magic via a treehouse, where the children can open a book and say, in essence, “I want to go there” and they are able to travel to that place and time. The books have also been a good starting place for my oldest (now age 9) to do some reading aloud to her siblings that is something more than a picture book, but easier than books she is reading herself. Each family is different in what they read, so I suggest grabbing a few on specific topics that might relate to your studies and pre-read them yourself.
Together, they make a great team, using their individual strengths to solve problems and overcome challenges. One of the standout features of the Magic Treehouse books is the way they capture a child's imagination. The idea of a magical treehouse that can take you anywhere is incredibly appealing, and it invites readers to dream and imagine their own adventures. The books also teach important life values, such as courage, teamwork, and curiosity. Overall, Magic Treehouse books are a beloved series that has captivated young readers for years. They combine adventure, history, and fantasy to create engaging stories that both entertain and educate. Whether children are reading them on their own or with the help of an adult, these books provide an enjoyable and enriching reading experience..
Reviews for "Learning History the Fun Way: An Educational Review of Magic Treehouse Books"
1. Laura - 2/5 - I found the Magic Treehouse book to be quite dull and uninteresting. The writing style was quite simplistic and didn't capture my attention at all. The characters, Jack and Annie, felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. Additionally, the plot felt predictable and lacked any real excitement or surprise. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1/5 - The Magic Treehouse book was honestly one of the most boring books I have ever read. The story was completely unoriginal and the characters were forgettable. I felt like I was reading a repetitive formula, where Jack and Annie would always go on some adventure, encounter a problem, and easily find a solution. There was no real complexity or depth to the story, and I found it quite frustrating. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was not impressed with the Magic Treehouse book at all. The writing style was very basic, and I felt like I was reading a book targeted towards younger children. The plot lacked creativity and was not captivating in any way. I also found the dialogue between the characters to be unrealistic and forced. The whole reading experience felt like a chore, and I had to push myself to finish it. Overall, I was disappointed and would not choose to read another book from this series.
4. Michael - 3/5 - The Magic Treehouse book was okay, but it wasn't anything special. The story felt rushed and lacked depth, making it difficult to become fully invested in the characters or the plot. I also found the writing style to be quite simplistic, which was a bit off-putting. While the concept of going on adventures through time and space was interesting, the execution fell short for me. I think children may enjoy this book more than adults, but I personally didn't find it very engaging.