The eleventh volume of the Magic Tree House series is titled "Lions at Lunchtime". In this book, written by Mary Pope Osborne, the main characters Jack and Annie travel back in time to the African savanna. The story begins with Jack and Annie finding a magical tree house filled with books. They discover that by pointing at a picture in a book and wishing to go there, the tree house transports them through time and space to that location. In "Lions at Lunchtime", Jack and Annie wish to go to Africa to find a gift for their friend Morgan Le Fay. They arrive in the African grasslands and encounter a group of Maasai warriors who escort them through the savanna.
“Exactly what I was thinking.” As we got to the yard I warned Darbie, “Don’t look directly into Mrs. Silvers’s eyes. You’ll turn to stone.”
The wallpaper border was a conga line of dancing carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, radishes, and mushrooms, all with legs, holding pretty much every kitchen appliance, gadget, and accessory imaginable. My mom and I cook together all the time, and my other BFF, Hannah, gave me the very first book in my cookbook collection, which consists of six books ranging across the meal, dessert, and snack spectrums.
They arrive in the African grasslands and encounter a group of Maasai warriors who escort them through the savanna. Along the way, they encounter various African animals such as giraffes, zebras, and elephants. Eventually, they come across a pride of lions, something they had wished to see.
Cindy chats with Abby Donnelly (Darbie) of Just Add Magic
Another interview? Yes! This time with Abby Donnelly, who plays Darbie in Just Add Magic. One of the great parts about working on this pilot was meeting all the cool girls on the cast, and I simply MUST share these awesome young ladies with all of you! Here’s my chat with my new friend Abby!
Cindy: What was your favorite part about working on Just Add Magic?
Abby: My favorite part of working on the set of Just Add Magic was working with my new besties Aubrey and Olivia.
Cindy: What was your favorite secret recipe?
Abby: My favorite secret recipe has to be the Nighty Night Noodles. I love noodles…and sleep.
Cindy: That’s funny because that sounds just like something Darbie would day. Do you think you’re similar to Darbie, your character in Just Add Magic? If so, how or how not so much?
Abby: I am Darbie. I love food and hanging out with friends. I am a total klutz, and cooking is one of my favorite things.
Cindy: Ha! That’s so funny. So, tell me, was it fun taking a book to the screen? How is it different than acting in a film that is not based on a book?
Abby: I loved making this book come to life. Since I was acting as a character you had created, I had an idea of what Darbie was like and I portrayed her that way. Also Darbie is a lot like me, so that helped!
Cindy: I find it very impressive that you are already well on your way to an acting career at such a young age, how did you get into acting?
Abby: One of my closest friends acts and I saw how much fun she was having. I started doing theater at my school and that’s where I discovered how much I love acting!
Cindy: I can totally tell that you love it. What’s your favorite part about being an actress?
Abby: Well, I get to do the thing I love to do all the time. It’s also fun to put myself in a new perspective and a world that is different than mine.
Cindy: Which famous actors or actresses do you look up to?
Abby: I look up to Tina Fey, Lucille Ball, and Billy Crystal.
Cindy: There all comedians. That doesn’t surprise me, because you are one funny girl! So, really, do you like to cook?
Abby: I love to cook! I love baking sweets and also decorating them! I am best at baking chocolate cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies.
Cindy: Okay, last question, if you could have any magical power, what would it be?
Abby: I would want to control time.
Well, speaking of time, we’re out of it. Thanks Abby, for taking the time to chat with me. I’m so glad I met you, and I hope we can stay in touch. And, of course, I wish you much success in your career, and I’m sure there will be a lot of it!
The lions prove to be friendly and curious, and Jack and Annie have a remarkable encounter with them. They even get to join the lions for lunch, as the title suggests. As the day comes to an end, Jack and Annie are whisked back to the magical tree house and return home. Through this adventure, "Lions at Lunchtime" introduces readers to the African wilderness and highlights the importance of respecting and appreciating wildlife. It also emphasizes the power of imagi nation and teaches readers about different cultures and landscapes. This volume, like the others in the series, is a fun and educational read for young readers who enjoy adventure and learning about different parts of the world..
Reviews for "Discovering new worlds in The Eleventh Volume of the Magic Tree House series"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "The eleventh volume of the magic tree house series". The plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, and the characters lacked depth. The writing style also felt very juvenile, as if it were targeted towards a much younger audience. Overall, it failed to captivate my attention or engage my imagination. I would not recommend this book to anyone older than a young child.
2. Mark - 1 star - "The eleventh volume of the magic tree house series" was a complete letdown. The story lacked originality and seemed to follow the same formula as the previous books in the series. The dialogue was weak, and the plot felt repetitive. I was hoping for something fresh and exciting, but unfortunately, this book failed to deliver. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this installment.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "The eleventh volume of the magic tree house series" to be boring and predictable. The storyline was unoriginal and lacked any real depth or surprises. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it difficult to feel invested in their journey. Overall, this book did not live up to my expectations and left me feeling unsatisfied. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read.
4. David - 1 star - I was thoroughly unimpressed with "The eleventh volume of the magic tree house series." The writing style felt amateurish and lacked creativity. The plot was predictable and lacked any real substance. The characters were forgettable and lacked any development. It felt like a recycled story with no originality. I would not waste your time reading this book.