The "Magic Tree House: Pompeii" is the twelfth book in the popular children's book series written by Mary Pope Osborne. The story revolves around the two main characters, siblings Jack and Annie, who have a magical tree house that can transport them through time. In this particular adventure, Jack and Annie are sent to ancient Pompeii, a city located in modern-day Italy. The city is known for its tragic destiny, as it was buried under volcanic ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. As the siblings arrive in Pompeii, they are greeted by a young girl named Celia, who becomes their guide throughout the city. Through Celia, Jack and Annie learn about daily life in Pompeii, including the bustling marketplace, the importance of family and community, and the Roman culture that influenced the city.
A combo ticket is available on Dec. 1. For the remaining days of VCC you’ll need a separate ticket for each event. VCC tickets for its other event days can be purchased here: https://www.thefair.com/activities/a-victorian-country-christmas/
This was the most crowded area during our visit and while most people did a good job keeping their masks on, I was still a little uncomfortable being that close to other people but maybe that s more just me. The event is included with your Victorian Country Christmas ticket, or your opening day combo ticket for Holiday Magic and Victorian Country Christmas.
Through Celia, Jack and Annie learn about daily life in Pompeii, including the bustling marketplace, the importance of family and community, and the Roman culture that influenced the city. However, the looming danger of the volcano's eruption hangs over the city, and Jack and Annie must find a way to warn the residents and escape before disaster strikes. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and obstacles that they must overcome with their wit and bravery.
Daley Family Travels
We had a wonderful time visiting the Washington State Fair’s Holiday Magic event last week! It was beautifully done and the kids had such a great time.
As soon as you walk through the gates, you’re welcomed with a gorgeous light tunnel (and plenty of photo opportunities). The kids had a great time running through on their way to find the carousel and Santa Train ride (both included with entry).
We found the train ride first and had a great time riding around looking at all of the Christmas lights. Our two year old said that this was his favorite part of the night.
Right after the train, we walked over to the carousel and my husband took the kids on a ride while I snapped a few photos. This was another hit with the kids and a favorite for all of them.
There was also a Santa’s Workshop set up in the Sillyville farm area where each child was given a small stocking to fill as they visited various parts of Santa’s village. Our kids personally really liked the Winter Wrap Shoppe where they helped the elves color wrapping paper and Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen where they received a cookie and a cup of milk.
Getting ready to go through Santa’s village
After that, we grabbed dinner. It was your normal fair kind of food so keep that in mind if you’re planning on eating during your visit. The best part was taking our food into the ChillVille barn where tables were set up along with a complimentary hot chocolate bar (which we definitely took advantage of!). The kids also enjoyed saying “hi” to the clucking chickens that were singing Christmas carols.
After dinner, we headed to one of the indoor light tunnels. Our toddler enjoyed chasing the lights shining on the ground and our girls loved seeing all of the lights everywhere.
We also checked out the Joy Around the World exhibit in the next barn over. It was really cute and a great way to learn about holidays around the world.
After that, we headed to another nearby barn for various fun photo opportunities including a snow globe, a glow in the dark room, a tropic Christmas, and more. Our kids loved it and had a lot of fun posing everywhere.
Holiday Magic also had a live nativity with a goat, sheep, cow, and donkey. This was the most crowded area during our visit and while most people did a good job keeping their masks on, I was still a little uncomfortable being that close to other people (but maybe that’s more just me?).
The Arctic Adventure was a light and music show that we popped into for a moment. It wasn’t our favorite, but there was so many other things to see that it wasn’t too much of a loss for us.
We ended by checking out the various decorated Christmas trees and the gift shop. The Washington State Fair offers ice-skating for an additional fee, but we passed at this time since we’ve already been to a local ice skating rink a couple of times this season.
Overall, we had a really great time. It reminded me a little bit of Enchant, and it was a nice way to celebrate the holiday season. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online and Holiday Magic goes until December 31st (they’ll be having a special fireworks display on New Years Eve!).
Thank you so much to the WA State Fair for hosting our family at Holiday Magic. We had a fantastic time and hope to come back again next year!
Holiday Magic is not around for long, though, with just 16 select dates between Dec. 1 and 23. (That means buy your tix asap.)
As with other books in the series, "Magic Tree House: Pompeii" not only tells an exciting and adventurous story, but it also educates readers about historical events and cultures. Through the engaging narrative, readers learn about the ancient Roman civilization, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and the significance of Pompeii in history. Overall, "Magic Tree House: Pompeii" is a captivating and educational read for young readers. It combines elements of fantasy, history, and adventure, making it an enjoyable experience for children while teaching them about the past..
Reviews for "Magic Tree House: Pompeii edition - a journey through time and history"
1. Jessica - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House: Pompeii". The story felt rushed and underdeveloped, and I couldn't connect with the characters at all. The historical accuracy was also questionable, with several glaring mistakes that made it hard for me to immerse myself in the setting. Overall, it felt like a poorly researched and hastily written book that didn't live up to the standards of the Magic Tree House series.
2. Ryan - ★★☆☆☆
As a fan of the Magic Tree House series, I was excited to read "Magic Tree House: Pompeii". However, I found myself bored throughout most of the book. The plot lacked the excitement and adventure that I love about these books, and the characters seemed flat and uninteresting. The writing style felt more like a children's book, which was disappointing considering the target audience of the series. Overall, I was left disappointed and would not recommend this particular installment to other fans of the series.
3. Samantha - ★★☆☆☆
I found "Magic Tree House: Pompeii" to be quite forgettable. The story didn't captivate me and I didn't feel invested in the characters. The pacing was off, with certain scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural at times. I was hoping for an exciting adventure in ancient Pompeii, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.