Review Detail

Magic Tree House Deluxe Edition: Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1)

Kids Fiction 520

Great Gift Edition of a Classic

December 15, 2020 (Updated: June 06, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Jack and Annie live in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania and spend plenty of time outside playing. When they locate a treehouse that they've never seen before, they find that it is full of books. Since Jack loves to read, he delves into the titles, and before they know it, the two have been whisked back to the time of the dinosaurs. They make friends with a Pteranodon, and Jack makes notes about their encounters. They also observe a Triceratops and an Anatosaurus at close range with no ill effects, even feeding them flowers, but when a Tyrannosaurus Rex comes on the scene, they no it is not a soft, friendly dinosaur! Luckily, when Jack needs help, he is saved by Pteranodon and taken safely back to the tree house, where he and Annie are able to read the book about Pennsylvania and travel back home. They realize that no time has passed since they left, and their mother is none the wiser about their adventures. During their time in the past, they find a medallion with an "M" on it that will figure largely in future adventures.

Good Points

First graders who are strong readers need books just like this-- heavily illustrated, with large text and formulaic plots that are still interesting and engaging. When the stories also include fascinating history, readers will obsessively collect the books to reread. This was certainly true of my own children, and I was always sad that there wasn't a series like this when I was a child. Aside from the Ruth Chew fantasy books, there weren't a lot of easy fantasy chapter books. This series has continued on for so many years because it understands the needs of young readers, and provides them with thrills, mystery, history, and a pair of siblings that get along most of the time!

Antonio Caparo's illustrations are lovely, and seeing the pages in full color is such a treat! Readers of the original Magic Treehouse book might miss Sal Murdocca's iconic illustrations, but young readers won't care.

My children were huge fans of this series, and these Deluxe Editions are great presents for any 6-year-old you might know!