Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs After Dark by Mary Pope Osborne and Jenny Laird, Illustrated by Kelly and Nichole Matthews
Genre
Children's Graphic Novel
Target Age Group
5-10, 1-5 grade
Summary
Jack and Annie find a magical tree house that transports them back in the past to prehistoric times. The story follows Jack and Annie as they go on an adventure trying to make it home without getting caught or possibly eaten by the dinosaurs they encounter along the way.
Justification for Choosing
I selected this book because it was one of my favorite series as a child and I was excited to see that it had recently been adapted into a graphic novel series. This book, and the entire Magic Tree House series is timeless; it was popular 20 years ago, and it still requested by patrons today. I was interested to read this book to learn how reading this story in a graphic novel format would differ from the original novel.
Evaluation
For this review, I will be evaluating the book's plot, setting, and illustrations.
The story’s plot is exciting and keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering if Jack and Annie will make it back home safely. The story is highly relatable for young readers as Jack and Annie use realistic language and have complex personalities that makes them easy to connect with. The book seamlessly blends multiple genres, including historical fiction and fantasy, which adds to its appeal and increases the chance that it will be loved by a wide variety of readers. The mix of a thrilling setting with magical adventures creates a captivating experience that can entertain and educate young readers. Since the story has some elements of fantasy in it, readers will have to suspend disbelief that Jack and Annie could travel in time because of a magic tree house and a few books. The story ends a way that is satisfying for readers, but they will likely finish this story and want more. This is most ideal since this is the first book in a series of graphic novels.
Setting:
The setting of the story is throughly developed, especially with the scenes inside the treehouse and when Jack and Annie travel back in time to the Cretaceous period. The vivid illustrations and attention to detail make readers feel like they are right there with the characters. The story does a good job at making sure the setting is historically accurate, particularly in the portrayal of the past, by including the names of real dinosaurs and accurately depicting an environment filled with dinosaurs. This level of detail not only enhances the reader's immersion in the story but also provides an educational element, making the adventures of Jack and Annie both exciting and informative.
Illustrations:
The illustrations in this graphic novel are very bright and colorful, making them incredibly eye-catching for young readers. The simple and clean style ensures that the images are not too complex, which is great for children who can easily get distracted by overly detailed artwork. The straightforward illustrations help maintain the reader’s focus and make the story more accessible for everyone. The illustrations play a crucial role in progressing the narrative, as they vividly portray the characters' reactions and elements of the setting that are not explicitly stated in the text. This visuals add depth to the story and they help young readers understand and engage with the plot, making the overall reading experience more immersive and enjoyable.
Overall Rating: 4/5
References
Laird, J., and Osborne, M. P. (2021). Magic Tree House: The Graphic Novel Dinosaurs Before Dark (K. Matthews & N. Matthews, Illus.). Random House Books.
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