Mary Pope Osborne's Shadow of the Shark was published in 2015 as part of the best-selling Magic Tree House series. Osborne's Thanksgiving on Thursday did not fare well, here, at American Indians in Children's literature. Her Shadow of the Shark is just as bad. I tweeted as I read it, on September 15, 2016, made the tweets into a Storify (inserting comments between the tweets), and used the copy/paste function to paste the Storify here.
- Her name... doesn't it call to mind Disney's Pocahontas?!
- These goofy hyphenated Indian-sounding names (oh dang, I used a hyphen, too) are dreadful. So many writers come up with names like these for characters. But heck. A little research, please! Osborne could have looked for someone who speaks one of the Mayan languages, and found out what their word is for jaguar, and used that, right? Or a translation of it, from that language into English? Maybe Osborne thinks there's no Mayan people around? Surely, though.... doesn't she listen to, or read, national news? Like this story?
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By: Bianca Schulze, on 1/2/2016
Blog: The Children's Book Review (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Mary Pope Osborne, Philip Reeve, Linda Ashman, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Nicola Davies, Random House Books for Young Readers, Leuyen Pham, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Rosanne Parry, Scholastic Press, Philomel Books, Balzer + Bray, Running Press Kids, Shannon Hitchcock, Salina Yoon, Adele Griffin, Joyce Hesselberth, Chris Grabenstein, Sarah Mcintyre, Sal Murdocca, Elizabeth Rose Stanton, Brooke Boynton Hughes, Paula Wiseman Books, Best Books for Kids, Best Kids Stories, Feiwel & Friends, Mike Curato, HMH Books for Young Readers, Toni Yuly, Henry Holt and Co. books, Best New Kids Books, Dan Gemeinhart, Bloomsbury USA Books, Annabel Wright, Chloe Bonfield, Lois Sepahban, Katrina Nannestad, Susan B. Katz, Eiko Ojala, J.J. Austrian, Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Kirby Larson, Book Lists, Oliver Jeffers, Farrar Straus and Giroux, featured, Michelle Markel, Add a tagTake a look at our selection of hot new releases and popular kids' books and let us know which titles and covers catch your eyes. There are so many amazing new kids books coming in 2016!
Add a CommentBy: Bianca Schulze, on 7/5/2014
Blog: The Children's Book Review (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Book Lists, Chapter Books, Series Books, Scholastic, Kids Series, featured, The Mortal Instruments, Cassandra Clare, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Mary Pope Osborne, Jeff Kinney, Best Sellers, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amulet Books, Magic Tree House, Random House Children's Books, Veronica Roth, Hunger Games Trilogy, Divergent, Spirit Animals, Teens: Young Adults, Best Kids Stories, Series List, Add a tagThanks to World Cup Soccer, the new Magic Tree House book, Soccer on Sunday, has the series on top of The Children’s Book Review’s best selling kids series list.
Add a CommentBy: Bianca Schulze, on 6/1/2014
Blog: The Children's Book Review (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Mo willems, Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Book Lists, Shannon Hale, featured, Mary Pope Osborne, Magic Tree House, Rachel Renee Russell, Dork Diaries, Ben Hatke, Spirit Animals, Zita the Spacegirl, Best Kids Stories, Elephant & Piggie Books, Add a tagFor graphic novel fans there's a new Zita the Spacegirl book from Ben Hatke, and, for younger readers, Mo Willems has the bestselling duo Elephant & Piggie meeting a new friend. Fans of Dork Diaries, Magic Tree House and Spirit Animals will be super excited to see new books, too.
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By: Tracy Bartley,
on 8/1/2013
Blog: First Book (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: book list, Mo Willems, Book lists, Books & Reading, Rosemary Wells, Eric Carle, Back to School, Mary Pope Osborne, Add a tag
Elephant and Piggie: I Broke My Trunk – Mo WillemsGerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In I Broke My Trunk! Gerald tells Piggie the long, crazy story about breaking his trunk. Will Piggie end up with a long, crazy story of her own? Another hilarious escapade starring the Geisel Award-winning duo & vetted by an early-learning specialist
Yoko’s Paper Cranes – Rosemary WellsEver since Yoko moved with her Mama from Japan, she misses her Obaasan and Ojiisan (her grandma and grandpa) very much. She especially misses doing origami with them. Luckily, Yoko knows just what to do for Obaasan’s birthday. Yoko’s Paper Cranes is a story about making paper cranes and letting them fly with your heart to those you love, even if they are thousands of miles away.
Un Alce, Veinte Ratones – Clare BeatonCount the animals from one to twenty while searching for the cat in this lively hide-and-seek selection that introduces animals like frogs, whales, monkeys, ducks, hens and elephants. (Spanish language edition)
Healthy Kids – Maya Ajmera
Photographs showcase the many ways kids around the world can be healthy.
Officer Buckle and Gloria – Peggy RathmannOfficer Buckle knows more about safety than anyone else in Napville, but his dull presentations put his audiences to sleep. Enter Gloria, Napville’s new police dog. Gloria knows just how to liven up the safety speeches – as long as Officer Buckle’s back is turned! Full color.
Daniel’s Mystery Egg (Bilingual) – Alma Flor AdaDaniel encuentra en huevo. ¿Qué animal saldrá de aquí?
Daniel finds an egg. What kind of animal will it hatch?
Magic Tree House #42: Good Night For Ghosts – Mary Pope OsborneJack and Annie are on their second mission to find—and inspire—artists to bring happiness to millions. After traveling to New Orleans, Jack and Annie come head to head with some real ghosts, as well as discover the world of jazz when they meet a young Louis Armstrong!
The Duckling Gets a Cookie? – Mo Willems
The Duckling asks for a cookie – and gets one! Do you think the Pigeon is happy about that?
Very Hungry Caterpillar (Bilingual) – Eric CarleEric Carle’s classic story is now available as First Book’s newest BILINGUAL First Book Marketplace Special Edition.This bilingual edition is available exclusively through the First Book Marketplace!
Piggie Pie! – Margie Palatini and Howard Fine
Gritch the Witch wants piggies for dinner, but when she shows up at Old MacDonald’s farm, the pigs go undercover.
Drummer Hoff (Stories to Go!) – Barbara Emberley
DRUMMER HOFF is a lively folk verse all about the building of a cannon. Brightly dressed in full uniform, each soldier brings a part for the remarkable machine. Corporal Farrell brings the barrel, Sergeant Chowder brings the powder, General Border gives the order-but it’s Drummer Hoff who finally fires it off and explodes the whole rhyme.
The post 11 Books for Back To School 4-8 yrs appeared first on First Book Blog.
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By: Tracy Bartley,
on 7/2/2013
Blog: First Book (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Magic Tree House, First Book Partners, First Book Supporters, Classroom Adventures, Books & Reading, Authors & Illustrators, Mary Pope Osborne, Add a tag
Mary Pope Osborne, longtime friend and partner of First Book, is offering her readers the opportunity to apply directly for free collections of her beloved titles through her very own Classroom Adventures Program. These books are provided for by grants which Ms. Osborne awards through her Gift of Books Program within Classroom Adventures and through the deep discounts First Book is able to negotiate with publishers.Titles in Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series come with non-fiction Fact Trackers, allowing students to experience historically and scientifically significant facts throughout the storyline. Jack and Annie, the two main characters, travel through time and experience various places and historical events. This creates a fun and effective environment for educators to teach these events to students while achieving multiple core standards across the subjects. Teachers report back that using the Magic Tree House series in this manner truly inspires students to read and enjoy learning!
In 2011, Ms. Osborne provided Magic Tree House books to every 4th grader in Newark and has recently donated thousands of books to 3rd and 4th graders in other cities as well. Her Gift of Books program through First Book has provided more than 800 grants and 220,000 books to students across the country.
Teachers can access lesson plans and other free resources on the Classroom Adventures website that may be used with Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House titles and then receive those titles at steep discounts from First Book.
A new partnership with Share My Lesson, featuring free lesson plans developed by educators, program leaders, and available to all, will also continue to expand First Book’s outreach to under-served populations.
The post Mary Pope Osborne supports First Book through Classroom Adventures appeared first on First Book Blog.
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By: Cuppa Jolie,
on 8/7/2011
Blog: The Official SCBWI 10th Annual New York Conference Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Mary Pope Osborne, Add a tag
Mary Pope Osborne has written many books for kids. She is best known for her MAGIC TREE HOUSE series.
Mary starting writing thirty years ago.
When she first started, an editors took interest and told her it was great, but that they needed to see if she could rewrite. She grabbed hold.
Mary suggests: If you get an editor who responds to you and shows any interest, grab hold because they don't do that lightly.
She says she's never been mean to myself as a writer and does not believe in writers block. She is okay with writing badly. She knows she can go back and fix it.
Mary wrote 4 young adult novels and 4 picture books, but still wasn't getting her head above water as an author.
Became interested in Greek mythology and pitched an idea to do a collection of stories. She began doing many retellings. She continued to write many books until an editor asked her write a series which became Magic Tree House.
Mary through herself into four of the books, and then Random House asked her to do four more. School visits became key for her. A local bookstore helped her get the visits. She believes those visits helped with the series success.
Magic Tree House has had the same editor and illustrator all these years. Wow!A fun side note: Mary admits that she thinks the first book wasn't written well and Random House has let her rewrite the first, DINOSAURS BEFORE DARK, for the 20 year anniversary of the series.
Still today she questions when she should stop. Thinks she will when she dreads writing another one, but right now she's having a great time.
Mary admits she has boxes of things that never have never been published.
Tip: If you have a book coming out, meet the people who sell your books (meet the sales reps). Thank them, and remember them.
Tip: You should be an Authors Guild member if you've published even one book.
Tip: When you're stuck, get out of your chair, leave it and it will come to you through your subconscious. Also, keep notebooks all around because you never know when the answer will come to you.0 Comments on Mary Pope Osborne: All About a Career in Children's Books as of 1/1/1900Add a Comment
By: Molly Blaisdell,
on 11/28/2010
Blog: Seize the Day (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Mary Pope Osborne, magic tree house, Golden Coffee Cup, art reflection molly blaisdell, Add a tagClick here to learn more about the Golden Coffee Cup.
Today’s "signing a book" high five is from one Mary Pope Osborne, author of the Magic Tree House series.
I love folks who get their audience. They understand the purpose of creating content for children. They don’t write with hubris. They're not fancy -- "look how well I can write stuff" is not going on. The writing is invisible. I love an author who is about disappearing so that kids jump into world created by the author.
Hope the magic of disappearing helps. We are winding down now. I hope as you reach for your goal (you are almost, almost there!)you take time to be glad for the journey. Snap! Snap! Snap! I hope your stuff is as hot as Ms. Osborne’s.
See y’all tomorrow for another steaming hot cuppa.
Hey this is just a good thought and I believe it will help you on this journey:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
— Mark Twain0 Comments on Day 28: The Golden Coffee Cup -- Magic as of 1/1/1900Add a CommentBy: Phoebe, on 11/22/2010
Blog: The Children's Book Review (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Richard Scarry, Mary Pope Osborne, Robert Ingpen, Candice Ransom, Marilyn Scott-Waters, Ages Four to Eight: Books for pre-school to second grade, Goodie Bag: Books to share and give, Ages Nine to Twelve: Books for third through sixth grade, Book Lists: Specialty picks, Seasonal: Holiday Events, David Shannon, Mercer Mayer, Chris Plehal, James Bernardin, Jean Marzollo, Sal Murdocca, Sarah Hollander, Add a tagBy Bianca Schulze and Phoebe Vreeland, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 22, 2010Last year, Lauren Thompson’s holiday book, The Christmas Magic, let us in on one of Santa’s little secrets: Santa gets a “tingling in his whiskers” when the Christmas magic is on its way. I believe that the tingling has begun. Perhaps even a little jingling, too!
From nicely illustrated carols to tales for the naughty and nice, our holiday gift to you is this list of wonderful Christmas books.
by David Shannon
Reading level: Ages 3-7
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press (September 1, 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: Readers of all ages will vividly remember trying to peek at hidden gift packages; writing scrolls of wish lists to Santa; and struggling to behave at formal Christmas dinner parties. Always in the background, we know Santa Claus is watching, soon to decide if David deserves a shiny new fire truck or a lump of coal under the tree. From playing with delicate ornaments to standing in an endlessly long line for Santa, here are common Christmas activities–but with David’s naughty trimmings. A surefire hit that is destined to be an annual classic.
Note: Fans of No, David! will be thrilled with Shannon’s latest addition. Pairing it with Too Many Toys would make a great gift. It’s Christmas, David is also available in Spanish.
Add this book to your collection: It’s Christmas, David! or llego La Navidad, David! (Spanish Edition)
From nicely illustrated carols to tales for the naughty and nice, our holiday gift to you is this list of wonderful Christmas books.
The Twelve Days of Christmas in Washington, DCby Candice Ransom (Author), Sarah Hollander (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 5-7
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sterling (October 5, 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publish
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By: Chris Singer,
on 11/4/2010
Blog: Book Dads (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: adventure, Book Review, chapter books, early readers, mary pope osborne, book dads, magic tree house series, dads reading, Children's Book (Age 5-8), Contributor: Peter Wingard, book reviewsmagic tree house books, peter wingard, random house kids, Add a tag
Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osbourne and illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Reviewed by: Peter Wingard
About the author:
Mary Pope Osbourne is an American author currently living in Connecticut. She grew up in a military family and by the age of 15 had lived in Oklahoma, Austria, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina. She has over 80 books to her credit including the best selling Magic Tree House series.About the series:
The Magic Tree House series begins with “Dinosaurs Before Dark”. In this book we meet the two main characters, Jack and his little sister Annie. In the woods near their house in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, Annie discovers the longest rope ladder the two have ever seen. The rope leads them to a tree house at the very top of the tree. Via this tree house Jack and Annie experience many adventures.The Magic Tree House is an award winning series and has been translated into over 20 languages and sold over 53 million copies.
My take on the series:
Grab a book, curl up in your favorite reading spot and let you imagination run wild. Time virtually stops. This is essentially what happens to Jack and Annie in the tree house when they grab a book about dinosaurs and Jack whispers, “I wish I could see a Pterodactyl for real.” The next thing they know they are transported back in time to prehistoric times and come face to face with a Pterodactyl. Through books and the Magic Tree House Jack and Annie experience adventures throughout time.Each book is a new adventure for Jack and Annie. Where will they go next, on a pirate ship in Pirates Past Noon (#4)? Or Down the Amazon in Afternoon on the Amazon (#6)? What will they experience next, a tornado in Twister on Tuesday (#23)? Or the Olympics in Hour of the Olympics (#16)?
This series is great for early readers and with such a vast number of titles there is sure to be an adventure or two every reader will find interesting.
We found this series of books at our local bookstore while looking for short chapter books for our first grader as he was devouring every non-chapter book we put in front of him. He has already read several of the books and is always looking for others at the library. After reading several books from the series I feel confident recommending them, especially for readers making the transition to chapter books.
By: Nisha T.,
on 6/18/2010
Blog: First Book (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Books & Reading, First Book, BigUniverse, cheerios, Father's Day, Literacy Links and Articles, Random House, Mary Pope Osborne, reading rockets, Magic Tree House, Spoonfuls of Stories, Summer Learning, Add a tagGive the Gift of Reading this Father’s Day
Don’t forget to wish Dad a Happy Father’s Day this Sunday, June 20th. If you’re still stumped for a last-minute gift, consider making and online donation to First Book in honor of your dad or whomever you choose. After making a donation you can send him an e-card to remind Dad how special he is.Big Universe: Read, Create and Share Children’s Books Online
This site is a great resource for reading, writing and learning. The site offers book suggestions, reading quizzes, and even the opportunity for kids to create their own children’s books. Parents and educators can even help kids share their creations with other students using the site’s virtual bookshelves.Magic Tree House Series Goes Digital
Now fans of Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House Series can cherish them forever as e-books. All forty-three titles have been converted to digital versions. Random House is now proud to offer this classic children’s book series in print, audio and digital.4th Cheerios New Author Contest
Have you ever dreamed of seeing your ideas in print? Through Cheerios’ Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest aspiring authors have the chance to submit their children’s books in the hopes of being selected as the winner. The winning story gets published and packaged in Cheerios boxes and released for purchase as well.More Tips from Reading Rockets to Curb Summer Learning Loss
Keeping kids engaged in learning activities over the summer can be a challenge. Here are some more great ideas to keep kids interested and having fun while they learn. From planting a garden and neighborhood book clubs to interactive websites and writing activities, this list is sure to keep your child busy during the summer months.Add a Comment
By: Camille,
on 4/26/2010
Blog: Book Moot (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: series books, mary pope osborne, magic tree house, Add a tagI am sharing this information in honor of ALL the Magic Tree Housebooks that were checked out to students starting the TAKS test tomorrow. If they finish early, they will have Jack and Annie's adventures to look forward too.
Mary Pope Osborne's series continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the children in my school district.RandomHouse Children’s Books and Kids Crooked House Team Upto HostMagic Tree House Essay ContestGrand-Prize Winner Receives Custom Designed Kids CrookedHouse PlayhouseInspired by Mary Pope Osborne’s bestselling Magic TreeHouse Book SeriesNEW YORK, NY – April26, 2010 - Random House Children’s Books and Kids Crooked House are kickingoff an essay contest for kids to promote adventure, imagination, andcreativity: themes that are all reflected in Mary Pope Osborne’sbestselling Magic Tree House series.The grand-prize winner will be awarded their own Magic Tree House: a customdesigned playhouse by Kids Crooked House, creators of the most whimsicalplayhouses for children. Ten runner-up winners will receive a Magic Tree Housebook autographed by Mary Pope Osborne, beloved author of the wildly popular New York Times bestselling series that hasno1 Comments on Magic Tree House Essay Contest, last added: 4/27/2010Display Comments Add a Comment
By: Greg P.,
on 4/23/2010
Blog: First Book (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Advisory Boards, Authors & Illustrators, Book Relief, Philanthropy, First Book Events, New Orleans, Random House, Mary Pope Osborne, Magic Tree House, A Good Night for Ghosts, Jack and Annie, First Book-Greater New Orleans, Add a tag
Mary Pope Osborne reads to New Orleans school children.
Mary Pope Osborne, author of the popular children’s book series, Magic Tree House, and Random House Children’s Books teamed up with First Book to provide 4,000 books to children in need in 27 Recovery School District schools in New Orleans this month. On April 19th and 20th, Osborne visited with and read to children from six of the schools that received books. She also spoke about her enthusiasm for working with First Book and her inspiration for writing on WWLTV Eyewitness Morning News.
Ms. Osborne said, “Working with First Book in New Orleans was an inspiring adventure. Together we visited a number of schools and put new books into the hands of young readers. Our shared belief is that reading provides the path toward greater possibilities for the future — and every child deserves the opportunity to set out on the journey.”
Will Osborne, Marlene Pete (Treasurer, First Book-Greater New Orleans), Lynetta Rhodes (Co-Chair, First Book-Greater New Orleans) and Kyle Zimmer (President and CEO, First Book) cheer Mary Pope Osborne as she accepts a proclamation from the mayor in her honor.
Ms. Osborne donated new copies of Magic Tree House #42: A Good Night for Ghosts, in which Magic Tree House characters Jack and Annie travel back in time to meet a young boy named Louis Armstrong and encourage him to share his gift of music with the world.
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By: Greg P.,
on 4/14/2010
Blog: First Book (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Authors & Illustrators, Book Relief, Philanthropy, First Book Events, New Orleans, Random House, Mary Pope Osborne, Magic Tree House, A Good Night for Ghosts, Jack and Annie, Recovery District, Add a tagMary Pope Osborne, author of the wildly popular Magic Tree House series, and Random House Children’s Books are teaming up with First Book to provide 4,000 books to children in 27 Recovery District schools in New Orleans. On Monday and Tuesday of next week, Ms. Osborne will personally visit with and read to children from six of the schools that are receiving books.
In anticipation of the New Orleans Jazz Festival that begins later that week, Ms. Osborne and Random House will be donating new copies of Magic Tree House #42: A Good Night for Ghosts, in which Magic Tree House characters Jack and Annie travel back in time to meet a young unknown boy named Louis Armstrong and encourage him to share his gift of music with the world.Mary Pope Osborne said, “When my husband Will and I visited New Orleans shortly after Katrina, we were tremendously moved and inspired by the spirit of the city and its people. New Orleans has always been one of our favorite cities in the world, and on that trip we promised all the kids we met that Jack and Annie would soon visit New Orleans in the Magic Tree House and have an adventure with a young Louis Armstrong. We are now very happy to share that adventure—and the magic of reading—with them.”
Check back next week to hear from Mary Pope Osborne herself!
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By: Chandler A.,
on 6/30/2009
Blog: First Book (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Holes, Louis Sachar, Rick Riordan, Mary Pope Osborne, Michelle Obama, Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading, Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks, Kyle Zimmer, Jonathan Stroud, Magic Tree House, Random House Children's Books, Clementine, First Family, The Lightning Thief, President Barack Obama, Heroes of the Valley, United We Serve, Disney Publishing Worldwide, Philanthropy, First Book Events, Marla Frazee, Sara Pennypacker, Add a tag
Last Thursday, June 25th, I was lucky enough to join the President, the First Lady, and hundreds of Congressional family members to prepare 15,000 backpacks with books and other items for the children of servicemen and women. With the incredibly generous support of Random House Children’s Books and Disney Publishing Worldwide, First Book was able to donate 30,000 books (two for each backpack!) with a retail value of almost $250,000.The service event highlighted ‘United We Serve,’ President Obama’s call to all
Americans to engage in service projects and create meaningful impact in their towns and communities. The ‘United We Serve’ summer service initiative began June 22nd and runs through the National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11th. The initiative is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency dedicated to fostering service in communities across the country.Curious about the books the President and the First Lady helped us pack? Here’s the list — full of great choices for your own summer reading!
- Clementine by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Marla Frazee
- Magic Tree House #28: High Tide in Hawaii by Mary Pope Osborne
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
- The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
- Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud
- Holes by Louis Sachar
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By: Writing for Children,
on 12/8/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Book review, Mary Pope Osborne, Amy M. O Quinn, Christmas picture book, Ned Bittinger, Rocking Horse Christmas, Add a tag
Today is Day 1 of a series of picture book reviews for the holidays from Amy M. O’Quinn.The 12 Days of Christmas & Other Winter Holiday Picture Books for Kids - Day 1
Title: Rocking Horse Christmas
Written by: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrated by: Ned Bittinger
Hardback: 32 pages
Ages: 4-8
Publisher: Scholastic 1st edition (October 1997)
ISBN-10: 0590929550In Rocking Horse Christmas, a little boy finds a rocking horse under the tree and names his new friend Shadow. The boy and his horse immediately begin their magical journey to faraway places. They ‘rock’ to the West and lasso an outlaw. They ‘rock’ to the East and joust with knights. Later, they go on an imaginary safari on an African plain, race in the Kentucky Derby, and fight a Tyrannosaurus Rex in the land of dinosaurs. The boy and his horse are inseparable, and their adventures are new every day.
But, as all children do, the boy begins to grow up and leave the toys of his childhood behind. The rocking horse watches sadly from the bedroom window as his boy gets older and begins to pursue other interests. Eventually someone moves the rocking horse to the attic where he stays for many years, wondering why his boy has never come back.
Then one year on Christmas Eve, a blizzard strikes and breaks the attic window. Shadow is knocked over and covered with snow. But suddenly he hears a child’s voice when a little boy and his father come into the attic to check on the broken window. They find the rocking horse lying on the floor. When Shadow looks into the eyes of the father, he knows at once that this man is the boy of yesteryear. The man tells his own little boy of the rocking horse, “He’s my oldest friend in the world.”
Of course, the little boy claims Shadow as his horse, and the two of them begin adventures of their own. They ‘rock’ away and fly through the air all Christmas Eve…and they don’t come home until dawn.
This beautiful Christmas story is delightful. The rocking horse is outgrown and put away, but never forgotten. And the memories are never forgotten either as a special friend and the gift of imagination passes from one generation to the next.
The illustrations by Ned Bittinger are full of detail—exquisite and a feast for the eyes. They are actually paintings rendered in oil on linen, and the colors are rich and vibrant. Mr. Bittinger’s work compliments and completes this touching Christmas story by Ms. Osborne, and the pair has truly created a heartwarming holiday masterpiece that is sure to become a treasured book for generations to come.
**************
Amy M. O’Quinn is a pastor’s wife and former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six. She is also a freelance writer who enjoys jotting down ideas around the fringes of family life. She specializes in non-fiction, and her work has been published or acquired by magazines including Jack and Jill, US Kids, Guideposts for Kids, Learning Through History Magazine, Highlights, GEORGIA Magazine, Homeschooling Today, International Gymnast, etc. She is also a product/curriculum/book reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and a regular columnist for TEACH Magazine. The O’Quinns live on the family farm in rural south Georgia. You can find Amy’s blog, Ponderings From Picket Fence Cottage, at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/picketfencemom.
Amy M. O Quinn, Christmas picture book, Mary Pope Osborne, Ned Bittinger, Rocking Horse Christmas2 Comments on The 12 Days of Christmas & Other Winter Holiday Picture Books - Day 1, last added: 12/10/2008Display Comments Add a Comment
By: Carl,
on 9/17/2008
Blog: Boys Rule Boys Read! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Mary Pope Osborne, Star Wars books, Sardine, Magic Tree House, Add a tag
ALL RIGHT!!! A manly man named Cy has responded to our cry of distress! Our blog is danger of a hostile takeover by the girls of Mrs. Smith's 4th-grade class at Metrolina Scholar's Academy. (see yesterday's post) Let's hear Cy's brave response to this brazen attack: hey, its cy, from Mrs. Smith's third grade. I'm not letting any girls take over.boys in Mrs. Smith's class(fourth and third). write in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Very good, Cy! But did he just stop there? NO!! He got out his manly pencil and wrote two reviews!!Star Wars Pop-up by Matthew ReinheartIf you don't know much about the Star Wars galaxy, this is the book for you. The pop-ups are huge. The book has almost everything about the Star Wars galaxy. but I think that the working light sabers are the coolest. I recommend this book.Sardine 5 by Emmanuel GuibertDon't turn this book away Just because the main character is a girl, this series is full of missing brains to scamcorders. when I read this book, I was laughing all night. If you have questions, read the book.OK, Cy!! You've made want to read the Sardine series! We've had them at our library, but they're checked out now. Maybe I'll get it from one of the others.But wait!! Cy was not the only boy to stride out bravely to defend our blog; Evan also came forth with a review:Magic Tree House: Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope OsborneJack and Annie get to go to ancient greece. I liked it because I like the olympics and history. I recommend it for people who like to learn because I learned that girls use to not be able to watch the olympics in ancient greece.Good work, Evan! I like the Olympics too. Did you get to watch much of it? If you read the book You Wouldn't Want to Be a Greek Athlete: Races You'd Rather Not Run by Michael Ford (I reviewed it on January 11, 2008), you'd see why girls couldn't watch the ancient Olympics!!But we need more, guys! We had five girls write in yesterday and two today. We need to hear from three boys to match their numbers--more to outnumber them! And what about the rest of you guys out there? Are you going to let your fellow boys be over run?Calling for reinforcements,CarlPS--If you write in, you'll not only defend the blog, you'll be able to get a free book from the Imaginon or Matthews libraries!1 Comments on A Call To Arms!, last added: 9/17/2008Display Comments Add a Comment
By: Writing for Children,
on 8/12/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Mary Pope Osborne, Billy Burgess, dinosaurs before dark, Book review, Add a tagReviewed by: Billy Burgess
Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before DarkBY: Mary Pope Osborne
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Sal Murdocca
PUBLISHED BY: Random House Children’s Books
ISBN-13: 9780679824114
Publication: 1992
Ages: 4-8
Jack and his sister Annie stumble across a tree house in the woods that contains dozens of books. He opens a book on dinosaurs and they are magically transported back to the days of dinosaurs.
Jack finds a golden medallion in the grass with a fancy M engraved on it. The explore the dinosaur world. The meet a friendly Pteranodon and a nasty Tyrannosaurus. How will Jack and Annie find their way home?
This is a charming book that children will love. It teaches them about dinosaurs, reading books and using your imagination.
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Billy Burgess lives in Missouri and has been writing since he was a child. Two of his articles, You Never Forget Your First Rejection & A Book At Hand, will be published in an upcoming issues of Once Upon A Time Magazine, and his article, Where is Scrooge McDuck Hiding at?, was published in the June 2008 issue of the SFC Newsletter for Writers. His short stories, Full Moon, will be published in the SFC Magazine in October 2008; The Greeting Card, will be published in the SFC Magazine in February 2009; and The Blue T-Shirt, will be published in the My Light Magazine in October 2008. He has written several book reviews that have appeared on the SFC website. Besides writing, Billy is a cartoon aficianado of cartoons from the 80s such as Duck Tales, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc. Billy hopes to write better cartoons for television some day. Billy is a collector of anything of Garfield. Billy has a habit of keeping every book that he reads, and now has his own personal library.
Billy Burgess, book review, dinosaurs before dark, Mary Pope Osborne0 Comments on Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark - A Review as of 8/12/2008 11:53:00 AMAdd a Comment
By: Aline Pereira,
on 5/8/2008
Blog: PaperTigers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Children's Books, Picture Books, Illustrators, Mary Pope Osborne, Day of the Dragon King, Gary Soto, Jerry Pinkney, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Too Many Tamales, Add a tagHot Springs, N.C., a beautiful little town on the French Broad River, deep in the heart of Appalachia, may not appear to be the most multicultural environment at first glance, but check out what my nephew and his wife, who live there, have been reading to their boys, aged 7 and 5. Quoting from a recent email:
“A copy of Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto and Ed Martinez came home for good the other day when the librarian decided the cover was too damaged for further circulation. Our house rabbit had reduced its size by about 20% - apparently those tamales looked pretty good to him too.
“Recently we’ve been reading the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne. Quite compelling, full of historical facts and adventurous enough to enthrall a second grader. Day of the Dragon King concerns the rescue of a legend written on bamboo before it is to be burned. So far we’ve been to Pompeii, a medieval Irish monastery and a Civil War field hospital; later books deal with even more magical and fantastical themes.
“Last week the boys had me read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi for several nights in a row (yes, I do the voices - can’t help it). I had picked up [Caldecott Award winner] Jerry Pinkney’s adaptation of this classic Rudyard Kipling story from the library because the illustrations caught my eye. The artwork is beautiful.”
Thanks for the field report, Melody! Keep ‘em coming
0 Comments on Field Report as of 5/8/2008 10:29:00 AMAdd a Comment
By: Rita,
on 8/16/2007
Blog: rhcrayon: The Blog! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: lotr, the secret life of funny duck, Add a tagSo, you know how if you don't laugh for too long, your (humor-)immune system goes down? After having been mopey over computer woes for days, with no choice except to keep "fixing" my machine, today I mentioned our kitchen trash smelled horrible.
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"Okay," Damon said, surprising me. I was expecting him to ask how come I didn't take out the trash, but he totally hopped to it. "Could you put another bag in?" he added, already bent over and tying up the offending, old trash.
So I hopped to it, too. Grabbed a tall kitchen bag; lined the can.
Then I hear Damon hiss, in low, raspy voice, "Bag innn . . . "
"Shire . . . "
I was so startled, I definitely laughed too long and hard at that one.
Sigh.
r
Conference and Comic Con pictures/posts still coming. Someday!
We like this series in our house too. We started reading them to my son when he was in kindergarten, now he rereads them from time to time. They are easy for him now, but they make references to interesting events that send us on a quest for additional information about pirates or Rome or pyramids. So, thumbs up from us too.
Trina´s last blog ..Splat the Cat
I never heard of these before until Peter brought up the idea of reviewing the series. They look like a lot fun and I will definitely be introducing these with Tessa in a few years. Thanks Trina for the comment!