I think the prolific Magic Tree House book series only took off after I had moved on from the children’s chapter book scene. My four-year old, however, really enjoys them, particularly the audio book versions narrated by Mary Pope Osborne herself. It’s at the point where he insists we play Magic Tree House, and I get to play Annie to his Jack.
We pick these up at the library, but I’m curious if they are still popular among their intended audience. And, like Bunnicula, I think these books would translate well to film, particularly a TV series.
Yes, they are super popular with the early reader set.
New ones are still being published, and they are still very popular. As recently as last year, at least, they were on the NYTimes’ list of bestselling Children’s Book Series.
I’ve read all of them to my six year old. She was obsessed with Magic Tree House for a while.
these are all my seven year old boy wants to read. He loves Magic tree house books.
My son really liked them a few years ago when he was seven or eight.
My 5 year old likes them a lot. He also listens to the audio books. My 7 year old will still listen to the audiobooks, but he prefers the Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott–sort of the Harry Potter for the under-11 (or so) set. Of course, my 5 year old likes Droon too.
My 6-almost-7 year old loves these books. They are far and away her favorite at the moment.
Yep, they’re hugely popular. Most of the young readers I know love them. (For some reason I can’t get my 6yo to touch them. She will only read one sort of book at a time, and right now she’s fixated on Nate the Great.)
Whatsit Jr. was interested by them, until he discovered graphic novels/comics, and now all he reads is the Bone series, and Sardine in Outer Space, and the occasional Captain Underpants.
MillCal had to get and read every signle one of them when she was younger. She still has the entire series up until she lost interest, all in order in her bookcase. But now that she’s reading things like The Golden Compas and Twilight, she’s not interested in them anymore.