Book Review of Dinosaurs Before Dark: Magic Treehouse: The Graphic Novel
The Children’s Book Review
Dinosaurs Before Dark: Magic Treehouse: The Graphic Novel
Written by Mary Pope Osborne
Adapted by Jenny Laird
Illustrated by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews
Ages 5+ | 176 Pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers | ISBN: 9780593174685
What to Expect: History, magic, adventure, and reading
Beginner readers have loved the Magic Treehouse series for more than two decades, offering fun and accessible stories that blend learning and adventure seamlessly. Now, these new adaptations from Random House present the classic stories in graphic novel format, encouraging a new generation of readers to discover a love of literacy.
Jack and Annie have no idea who the mysterious treehouse in the woods belongs to – it just appeared, out of thin air. Jack’s not sure he wants anything to do with it, but neither sibling can resist taking a peek when they discover the treehouse is full of books! There are books on everything: from medieval knights to cooking, and even a book on their very own town, Frog Creek.
However, things start to get even weirder when Jack opens the book on dinosaurs and accidentally makes a wish. Swept magically back in time to the era pictured in the book, Jack and Annie will get to see dinosaurs for real – but will they be smart enough to get back home before dark?
With the same relatable characters and reader-friendly language as the original chapter books, Dinosaurs Before Dark – the first adaptation in the new graphic novel series – also builds visual literacy through full-color comic-style illustrations that encourage readers to search for meaning through images as well as text.
Perfect for visual learners, reluctant and beginner readers, and anyone who loves the original chapter books, Dinosaurs Before Dark: The Graphic Novel is an excellent new start to what promises to be a popular series.
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About the Authors
Mary Pope Osborne is the author of the New York Times #1 bestselling Magic Tree House series as well as co-author of the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series, along with her husband, Will, and her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce.
For more information, visit the Magic Tree House® website at MagicTreeHouse.com!
Jenny Laird is an award-winning playwright. She collaborates with Will Osborne and Randy Courts on creating musical theater adaptations of the Magic Tree House® series for both national and international audiences. Their work also includes shows for young performers, available through Music Theatre International’s Broadway Junior® Collection. Currently the team is working on a Magic Tree House® animated television series.
About the Illustrator
Kelly and Nichole Matthews are twin sisters, and a comic art team, living just north of the Emerald City under the watchful eyes of their cats and dog. They get to do their dream job every day drawing comics for a living (when they’re not playing video games). They’ve worked for Boom Studios!, Archaia, the Jim Henson Company, Hiveworks and now Random House!
Follow them on Instagram @kickingsh0es and Twitter @kickingshoes
What to Read Next If You Love the Magic Treehouse Series
- The Boxcar Children Series
- The 13-Story Treehouse Series
- The Gemstone Dragons Series
- Imagination Soup’s 25 Books Like The Magic Tree House Books (Read Alikes)
Dr. Jen Harrison reviewed Dinosaurs Before Dark: Magic Treehouse: The Graphic Novel. Discover more books like Dinosaurs Before Dark: The Graphic Novel by reading our reviews and articles tagged with History, Magic, Reading, and Adventure.