About the Author

MARY POPE OSBORNE is the author of the New York Times number one bestselling Magic Tree House series. She and her husband, writer Will Osborne (author of Magic Tree House- The Musical), live in northwestern Connecticut with their three dogs. Ms. Osborne is also the coauthor of the companion Magic Tree House Fact Trackers series with Will, and with her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce.

SAL MURDOCCA has illustrated more than 200 children's trade and text books. He is also a librettist for children's opera, a video artist, an avid runner, hiker, and bicyclist, and a teacher of children's illustration at the Parsons School of Design. Sal lives and works in New York with his wife, Nancy.

Reviews

Gr 1-4-The adventures of Jack and Annie continue in the four books by Mary Pope Osborne included here: Stage Fright on a Summer Night; Good Morning, Gorillas; Thanksgiving on Thursday; High Tide in Hawaii. In these tales, brother and sister journey in their magic tree house to different times and places and land in William Shakespeare's London, the African rainforest to learn about gorillas, help prepare the first Thanksgiving, and hang ten in old Hawaii. Each trip is easy enough to navigate with no mishaps or danger on the horizon for the siblings, which should be reassuring to young listeners. Once the pair finds the answer to the clue provided by their magical guide, Morgan LeFay, they are quickly transported back to the woods near their home. The four stories are linked together because there is a "special magic" to be found in each place. Osborne's narration sets the right tone whether she is speaking as Shakespeare or as little sister Annie. Some background music sets the scene for each foray. A great addition for libraries with Magic Tree House fans.-Robin Lensing, Pawtucket Public Library, RI Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.