Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-4

Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie in this boxed set featuring books 1-4 of the #1 bestselling chapter book series!

Meet Jack and Annie! Jack and his younger sister, Annie, are just regular kids. But when they discover a tree house in the woods, something magical happens. Jack and Annie are whisked back in time to the Age of Dinosaurs, a medieval castle, ancient pyramids, and treasure-seeking pirates.

Books in this set include: Dinosaurs Before Dark (#1), The Knight at Dawn (#2), Mummies in the Morning (#3), and Pirates Past Noon (#4).

The Magic Tree House series has been a beloved favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading—and adventure—in every child who joins Jack and Annie!

Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid?
• Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
• Magic Tree House Graphic Novels: Jack and Annie's original adventures come to life with full-color, vibrant art, perfect for graphic novel fans and reluctant readers
• Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
• Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
• Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures

Widely regarded among parents, teachers, and librarians for its power to instill a passion for reading, Mary Pope Osborne’s award-winning, #1 New York Times best selling Magic Tree House series is an international phenomenon and has sold more than 134 million books worldwide since its debut in 1992. The books have been translated into 33 different languages in over 30 international markets. All Magic Tree House books are available in print, as ebooks and Listening Library audio books, which are all narrated by Mary Pope Osborne. Visit WWW.MAGICTREEHOUSE.COM for more information about the series, activities, and more.

MARY POPE OSBORNE is an ardent advocate and supporter of children’s literacy, and the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children and young adults, including novels, retellings of mythology and folklore, picture books, biographies, and mysteries. From 1993–1997, Ms. Osborne served as president of the Authors Guild, the country’s leading organization for published authors. She has traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad, visiting schools and speaking on issues related to children’s literacy. She spoke at the UN regarding the importance of worldwide literacy and was profiled on NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams for her continued efforts. Mary has donated over 350,000 books to underserved children across the country through her Gift of Books program. She resides in Connecticut. The creator of the Magic Tree House series, Ms. Osborne is also the coauthor of the companion Magic Tree House Fact Trackers series with her husband, WILL OSBORNE, and her sister, NATALIE POPE BOYCE.

Follow Mary on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryPopeOsborne

The Magic Tree House Classroom Adventures Program is a free, comprehensive set of online educational resources for teachers developed by Mary Pope Osborne as gift to teachers, to thank them for their enthusiastic support of the series. Complete with free online resources including lesson plans, curriculum guides, and creative activities, the Classroom Adventures Program incorporates every book in the series, including the nonfiction Fact Tracker titles, enabling teachers to build upon students’ interest in Jack and Annie’s adventures, while simultaneously meeting core curriculum standards across a multitude of subjects. Educators can learn more at WWW.MTHCLASSROOMADVENTURES.ORG.

Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1–4 by Mary Pope Osborne, with illustrations by Sal Murdocca, introduces readers to the magical adventures of siblings Jack and Annie. The collection includes the first four books in the beloved Magic Tree House series: Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Knight at Dawn, Mummies in the Morning, and Pirates Past Noon. Together, these stories combine history, fantasy, and adventure in a way that sparks curiosity about the past while encouraging courage, teamwork, and a love of learning. Although each book tells a separate adventure, they are connected by the mysterious tree house that carries Jack and Annie through time.

The series begins in the quiet town of Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, where eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister, Annie, discover an unusual tree house hidden deep in the woods. Filled with books about different places and time periods, the tree house appears ordinary at first. However, when Annie points to a picture in one of the books and wishes they could visit that place, the tree house begins to spin. Moments later, they find themselves transported to another time entirely. Neither child understands who owns the magical tree house or why it has appeared, but they quickly realize that it offers incredible opportunities for exploration.

In Dinosaurs Before Dark, Jack and Annie arrive in the age of dinosaurs. Jack is cautious and enjoys reading facts, while Annie is fearless and curious, often rushing toward new discoveries without hesitation. Their contrasting personalities complement each other throughout the adventure. As they explore the prehistoric world, they encounter enormous creatures such as Triceratops, Pteranodons, and Tyrannosaurus rex. At first, the experience is thrilling, but it soon becomes dangerous as they realize they are surrounded by animals that ruled the Earth millions of years ago. Working together, they avoid several life-threatening situations before finding their way back to the tree house. Along the way, they discover a mysterious gold medallion that hints someone has visited the tree house before them.

The second adventure, The Knight at Dawn, takes Jack and Annie to medieval England. They arrive near a magnificent castle filled with knights, nobles, servants, and hidden passages. Fascinated by the sights, Annie eagerly explores while Jack carefully observes everything around him. What begins as an exciting visit soon becomes complicated when they are mistaken for intruders. The children must navigate the unfamiliar customs of castle life while avoiding capture. They meet armored knights, experience the grandeur of medieval feasts, and learn about life inside a fortress during the Middle Ages. Their courage and quick thinking help them escape danger and return safely home, but they also become increasingly curious about the mysterious owner of the tree house.

In Mummies in the Morning, the magical tree house transports the siblings to ancient Egypt. They find themselves inside one of the great pyramids, surrounded by magnificent tombs, priceless treasures, and mysterious hieroglyphics. The atmosphere is both exciting and eerie as they explore dark corridors and hidden chambers. Jack relies on his growing knowledge from books, while Annie's adventurous spirit encourages them to continue exploring despite the uncertainty. Their journey introduces them to Egyptian history, burial traditions, and the importance of preserving the past. Along the way, they encounter unexpected surprises that deepen the mystery surrounding the magical tree house while teaching them about one of history's most fascinating civilizations.

The fourth book, Pirates Past Noon, brings Jack and Annie to a tropical island during the age of pirates. Hoping for another exciting adventure, they soon discover that pirate life is far more dangerous than they imagined. They are captured by a crew of ruthless pirates searching for hidden treasure. The children must use intelligence, bravery, and teamwork to escape the pirates while navigating unfamiliar waters and mysterious islands. The story captures the excitement of treasure maps, sailing ships, secret caves, and daring escapes while also showing that courage often means staying calm and thinking carefully under pressure.

Throughout these four adventures, Jack and Annie grow both individually and as siblings. Jack begins each journey as cautious and analytical, preferring to rely on facts and careful planning. Annie approaches every situation with enthusiasm, imagination, and optimism. Although their personalities differ, they consistently support one another, proving that their greatest strength lies in working together. Jack often provides knowledge and practical thinking, while Annie encourages action and reminds her brother that sometimes bravery requires taking risks. Their relationship demonstrates the value of trust, cooperation, and respecting each other's strengths.

As the adventures continue, the mystery surrounding the tree house slowly deepens. Jack and Annie begin noticing clues suggesting that someone has intentionally left the tree house for them to discover. The books encourage readers to wonder who created this magical place, why it exists, and what purpose the children's adventures might ultimately serve. These unanswered questions provide an ongoing sense of curiosity that carries through the entire series.

A defining feature of the Magic Tree House books is the way they blend education with entertainment. Each adventure introduces readers to a different historical period or setting while presenting accurate information in an engaging and accessible way. Young readers naturally learn about dinosaurs, medieval castles, ancient Egypt, and pirate life as they follow Jack and Annie's exciting experiences. The stories inspire curiosity about history, geography, archaeology, and science without ever feeling like traditional lessons.

Sal Murdocca's black-and-white illustrations complement the storytelling by bringing key scenes and characters to life. His artwork helps readers visualize both the historical settings and the emotions of the young adventurers, making each journey feel even more immersive.

Overall, Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1–4 is a delightful introduction to one of children's literature's most enduring adventure series. Mary Pope Osborne combines fast-paced storytelling, memorable characters, educational themes, and imaginative fantasy to create books that encourage curiosity, courage, and a lifelong love of reading. Through Jack and Annie's unforgettable journeys across time, young readers discover that every adventure offers an opportunity to learn something new, face challenges with confidence, and appreciate the incredible stories hidden within history. These first four books lay the foundation for a series that continues to inspire generations of readers to explore the world through both imagination and knowledge.