Member Reviews
Magic Tree House fans are going to flip over the full color graphic novel edition, Jack and Annie's adventures translate well to this format.
I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
A new way to see The Magic Tree House series adventures. Jack and Annie find the treehouse and accidentally send themselves back to the Cretaceous period. Readers see them interact with living creatures while the author slips in informative text about different dinosaurs. The same high energy and fun come through in the text and illustrations. The artwork captures the spirit of the series and the dialogue remains true to the original books.
Looking forward to seeing more of this series.
This really brought me back to my childhood! It was magical seeing this story come alive in graphic novel form. The illustrations were beautiful. I can’t wait for more!
Dinosaurs Before Dark is a graphic novel adaptation of the original children’s chapter book. It tells the same great story of a bother and sister finding a tree house full of books that happen to magically whisk them alway to the time of the book.
As someone who sells children’s books for a living, I LOVE the idea for turning the modern children’s literature classics into graphic novels because it appeals to such a larger audience. Kids these days love graphic novels and I see them everyday picking up the regular novels once they read the graphic novel versions. Graphic novels get children to read and it shows them how fun reading can be.
I also think that this specific graphic novel will act as a great transitional book for readers who are going from beginner reader books to chapter books because it does not have many words, yet it will give the children the confidence and desire to go forward with the series that are in the chapter book format.
I also think that this is such a great read for any reader who wants to dive back into their childhood and have a quick reread of one of the best children’s books series!
I read the Magic Tree House books as a kid and this immediately transported me back. I had so much fun reading this, even though it's super short and definitely written for children. Reading this made me want to dig out my old copies of the books so I can read them as the graphic novels are coming out!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Children's and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! I can't wait to see a finished, full-color, copy of this graphic novel publishing June 15!
The Magic Tree House series was one of my favorite chapter book series growing up. I still remember the exact section where they lived in my elementary school's library. On library day I remember racing the other kids in my class to this section to grab an installment that I hadn't read yet.
The Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark the Graphic Novel was such a fun trip down memory lane. I love that this series is being adapted into a graphic novel series! I loved seeing Jack and Annie come to life in a new way with these illustrations!
I highly recommend this series to all young readers and I can't wait to see more of this beloved series come to life as graphic novels!
On a side note, I have a strong urge to re-read some of these chapter books and relive precious memories of my childhood!
This book kicks off a new phase in the Magic Tree House series. Readers who are already fans will have the chance to experience the stories in a new way with the action brought to life through full-color illustrations. But for youngsters who have never given Jack and Annie a try, this may draw them in - especially if they happen to be fans of graphic novels. The detailed images clearly show the setting and action, allowing text to be limited to speech bubbles and lightening the reading load for those who are intimidated by chapter books. Whether it is the story or the format that attracts them, readers will have fun sharing the adventure.
Since this is the first of the series, it covers the discovery of the tree house and how the kids find out that it is magical. The incredible size of the tree and the height of the tree house from the ground emphasize that it is unusual. The stacks of books inside reveal an astonishing range of topics; bats, robots, mythology, dinosaurs...which hint at possiblities for future exploration. It is also easy to differentiate the personalities of the siblings from their body language and expressions. And while readers are caught up in the story they will also learn a few facts about dinosaurs.
School libraries, classroom collections, and public library children's departments will want several copies because it is sure to be in demand.
I am a long-time fan of the Magic Treehouse book series by Mary Pope Osborne. I read most of them several years ago with my older daughter - and they really sparked her interest to learn more about a variety of different topics. I looked forward to reading them again with my younger daughter. She is a much more reluctant reader and has not really latched onto the ones that we read. I was really excited to see that first book in the series was being offered as a graphic novel. I think this is such a great idea and the perfect way for the series to adapt with the times and capture the attention of a whole new generation of readers. My younger daughter is much more willing to read graphic novels and this was a fun one for us to read together. The artwork was stunning - I loved it. The artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews did a great job with bringing the story to life. It was everything that I've always loved about the Magic Treehouse in a revamped, modernized package. I'm really excited to see to see how many they make into graphic novels and how quickly. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Children's for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series!
While I was just a couple years too old to have been a reader of the original Magic Tree House series, as a librarian I am impressed how enduring the books have proven to be. They are consistently borrowed from my elementary school library. That said, there are two questions I am asked multiple times every single day: 1) Where are the scary books?, and 2) Where are the GRAPHIC NOVELS? In my fifteen years as an educator, I've not seen anything appeal to young readers as much as graphics. I'm eager to add this and subsequent Magic Tree House graphic novels to my collection, and I'm confident they'll be just as if not even more popular than the chapter books. The design, text, illustrations, and story will make for some very happy readers. Just like in the original, siblings Jack and Annie come upon a mysterious tree house full of books including one about dinosaurs. Ultimately they find themselves walking amongst the dinos! Now how to get home? That's the question!
What a great adaptation of a childhood classic of mine. I found this to be a nice re-visit to this world and the characters. The colors and the images really bring this one to life.
*Disclaimer, I have received a free e-copy of this title, this shill not affect my thoughts or opinions towards it*
This was such a cute great illustrational version of the first ever magic treehouse book. I thought it was very cute and reminded me when I first read the original book as a kid. The illustrations do add a very nice touch the story overall with all the beautiful colors. Overall 3/5 stars.
I loved this! Of Course the story was classic, but the art was beautiful and added so much to it. The coloring and the art in general was gorgeous, and was easy on the eyes to look at. I thought the story (from what I remember from the original book) felt a bit rushed along, but that wasn't enough to make me dislike the book in general.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for sharing this graphic novel adaptation of a classic in exchange for an honest review. I loved the illustrations and how well this kept true to the story. I can’t wait to read more of the graphic novel adaptations.
Beautiful full colored version of the first book in the popular Magic Tree House series. Its the kind of book that you go, "Wait, how has this not already been out?!" It's so smart to makes these books into graphic novels. And I know they will be just as beloved as the original series.
A fantastic graphic novel rendition of the classic Mary Pope Osborne book. I know this one will be popular at the library!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
A fantastic adaptation of a classic chapter book! I didn't think it was possible to make this series more engaging and adventurous but the graphic novel format takes it to the next level. The wonderful illustrations and colors add to the adventure of being in the land of dinosaurs. I would highly recommend for those starting to get into reading but aren't confident enough to tackle the original chapter books.
3.5 stars
I remember absolutely loving the MAGIC TREE HOUSE books when I was in elementary school, and I read nearly all of them. And to this day, even after technically growing out of them, I still find them fun and enjoyable.
Adapting the series into graphic novel format is honestly such a good idea that I had never considered before. It brought a new take on this beloved series while still keeping the integrity of the original and I loved revisiting Jack and Annie and their adventures.
Perfect for fans of the original series.
The Magic Tree House series has been loved by many beginning readers who have eagerly followed the adventures of Jack and Annie. Ever since the tree house first appeared and whisked the two back to prehistoric times, Jack and Annie have been learning and doing. Now, in a new twist on an old theme, the books have gone graphic. First, to come, is Dinosaurs Before Dark, a title certain to be enjoyed in its new format.
So, have a child you know, sit back, spend time with Jack and Annie, explore the wonderful illustrations and…become an enthusiastic reader.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
I’ve always loved Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Treehouse series, and the graphic novel of Dinosaurs Before Dark brought me back. The illustrations were fantastic, and the dialogue and plot remained pretty on-point. I read this version after having not read the books in a decade, and it still made perfect sense. reading the original version of the book afterward, I could see a few details that were missed in the graphic novel, but not many, and none that hurt the story.
Thanks NetGalley and Random House Children’s for the eARC.
Jack and his little sister Annie are on their way home from school when they come across a treehouse filled with books. After making a wish, they are transported to another time - with dinosaurs! They set off on a fun adventure filled with dinos.
I love this adaptation of the Magic Treehouse! This was such a fun read with great pictures. So many of my students love the Magic Treehouse series - I check it out daily. I can’t wait to add this entire graphic series to my library, they will be thrilled! This is such a great graphic novel for younger students.