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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
This is the first in the Magic Tree House series to be adapted as a graphic novel, and the first in the series overall.
In Dinosaurs Before Dark, Jack and Annie discover the magic treehouse in the woods of Frog Creek, Pennsylvania and begin to understand how the magic works. In this first volume, readers get a good sense of who Jack and Annie are- both very likeable characters (Annie is curious, gentle, and loves animals. Jack is intelligent, cautious, and protective of his little sister.) The pair is a good example of a positive brother-sister relationship. The story has a bit of adventure and just enough suspense to keep young readers interested without being too scary.
The graphic novel adaptation was done very well. I enjoyed seeing some hints in the illustrations as to books in the Magic Tree House series that are yet to come! -Diana F.
In Dinosaurs Before Dark, Jack and Annie discover the magic treehouse in the woods of Frog Creek, Pennsylvania and begin to understand how the magic works. In this first volume, readers get a good sense of who Jack and Annie are- both very likeable characters (Annie is curious, gentle, and loves animals. Jack is intelligent, cautious, and protective of his little sister.) The pair is a good example of a positive brother-sister relationship. The story has a bit of adventure and just enough suspense to keep young readers interested without being too scary.
The graphic novel adaptation was done very well. I enjoyed seeing some hints in the illustrations as to books in the Magic Tree House series that are yet to come! -Diana F.
I couldn't stop smiling while I was reading this! It was so fun to return to the Magic Treehouse, and the graphic novel format was a great way to tell this story. The illustrations were so bright and colorful, and Jack and Annie's facial expressions communicated so much of what they were thinking. I will be reading the other graphic novels in this series when they come out!
*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I just realized that I can read the Magic Tree House books before bed if I want to, as a little treat.
Shoutout to Jack’s note taking (e.g., “small brain?”) and Annie’s eagerness and tenderness (e.g., naming a Pteranodon “Henry”).
Shoutout to Jack’s note taking (e.g., “small brain?”) and Annie’s eagerness and tenderness (e.g., naming a Pteranodon “Henry”).
The appeal of these books is completely lost on me. I don't find them to be particularly enjoyable or informative. My son was a little bored too. Oh well.
For more on this and other Dinosaur books tune in to this episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-222-dinovember
For more on this and other Dinosaur books tune in to this episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-222-dinovember
A great adaption of a beloved series!
This graphic novel is an adaption of the first book in the Magic Tree House series. The pages are colorful and a great blend of animation and realistic detail. The illustrations are detailed with a good balance of dialogue on the pages. The images often speak for themselves. allowing readers to engage with the art more. The text captured from the book to the graphic novel is good, with most text being spoken text. The transition between chapters captures the intensity and excitement between chapters.
A great option for fans of the Magic Tree House series and a good alternative introduction to the series.
This graphic novel is an adaption of the first book in the Magic Tree House series. The pages are colorful and a great blend of animation and realistic detail. The illustrations are detailed with a good balance of dialogue on the pages. The images often speak for themselves. allowing readers to engage with the art more. The text captured from the book to the graphic novel is good, with most text being spoken text. The transition between chapters captures the intensity and excitement between chapters.
A great option for fans of the Magic Tree House series and a good alternative introduction to the series.
I loved these books when I was a kid and thought I'd reread for nostalgia. As an adult, they aren't 5 star reading, however I give it 5 stars anyway because it's great reading for the intended audience age range.
I read the Magic Tree House books as a kid and this immediately transported me back. I had so much fun reading this, even though it's super short and definitely written for children. Reading this made me want to dig out my old copies of the books so I can read them as the graphic novels are coming out!
Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.
Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.
I had just started the Magic Tree House novel set with my six year old when I learned about this new reimagining of an old favorite. As an educator, I'm a huge fan of graphic novels. They captivate my third grade students, providing a bridge between early chapter books and the longer ones they'll encounter in the years to come. They are colorful and engaging, and Dinosaurs Before Dark did not disappoint. The plot remains almost identical to the original, which will thrill parents and educators who remember reading these years ago, but the vibrant colorful illustrations add so much to the story (props to twin sister illustrators (Kelly and Nichole Matthews).
My only critique would be the missed opportunity to add some inclusivity to the novel by not changing Jack and Annie's ethnicity. There is nothing in the original books to hint at their background, and it would have been a wonderful addition to this book to show BIPOC characters.
Kids from 6 to 12 will be thrilled to read this one, and it shouldn't matter if they've read the novel version or not. I can see students who HAVE read the novel version enjoying a more illustrated version, and also kids who have not read the chapter book wanting to after reading this graphic novel. I will be purchasing for my classroom.
My only critique would be the missed opportunity to add some inclusivity to the novel by not changing Jack and Annie's ethnicity. There is nothing in the original books to hint at their background, and it would have been a wonderful addition to this book to show BIPOC characters.
Kids from 6 to 12 will be thrilled to read this one, and it shouldn't matter if they've read the novel version or not. I can see students who HAVE read the novel version enjoying a more illustrated version, and also kids who have not read the chapter book wanting to after reading this graphic novel. I will be purchasing for my classroom.
How was this even more enjoyable than the book!?
There isn't much to say about this one because it pretty much follows the same exact plot as the original story, BUT the art was FANTASTIC. I'm not sure why I felt myself more invested in the graphic novel than the originally published novel, but I quickly devoured this. I'm particularly excited to see how many of these books they actually end up adapting. Right now it seems to be book for book, but that may end up slowing down considering the amount of books that exist in this series. Overall, I would say that if you loved or even just liked the first book then I would recommend picking this one up.
There isn't much to say about this one because it pretty much follows the same exact plot as the original story, BUT the art was FANTASTIC. I'm not sure why I felt myself more invested in the graphic novel than the originally published novel, but I quickly devoured this. I'm particularly excited to see how many of these books they actually end up adapting. Right now it seems to be book for book, but that may end up slowing down considering the amount of books that exist in this series. Overall, I would say that if you loved or even just liked the first book then I would recommend picking this one up.