Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1992)

This fantasy, the first in the Magic Tree House series, begins in a mysterious treehouse filled with stacks of books. When Jack wishes to see a Pteranodon for real after looking at a picture of one, he and Annie are transported through time and have some thrilling adventures in the prehistoric past. Though not outstanding, the dialogue, the plot, and the artwork sprinkled throughout will appeal to young readers.

ALA Booklist (Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 1992)

With an entertaining blend of fact, farce, and fantasy, Osborne tells the story of Jack and his sister, Annie, who take a trip in a magic tree house and land in a time 65 million years ago. They find dinosaurs and volcanoes and adventure. She leads most of the time; he worries a lot and takes notes, but he saves her when she's chased by a duckbilled anatosaurus. Later, Annie saves Jack with the help of a flying pteranodon. And they get home before dark. This First Stepping Stone Book is the first in a projected Magic Tree House series about time travel. Shared imaginative play is a great way to lure new readers to the pleasure of books. In fact, veteran storyteller Osborne builds the power of reading into the story: it's the books in the tree house that give the kids the magic to travel and see far, far away. (Reviewed Oct. 1, 1992)

Kirkus Reviews

In classic E. Nesbit tradition, Jack's wishes go awry while he and his sister Annie, seven, are time traveling. Reluctantly followed by her eight-year-old brother, Annie enters a mysterious treehouse full of books. Examining a dinosaur book, Jack blurts, I wish I could see a pteranodon for real''—whereupon one flies in, with a rushing wind. Like Dorothy and Toto, they're blown to a land of adventure: the treehouse takes them to the Cretaceous Period, where they meet a triceratops and a duck-billed dinosaur and find a gold medallion engravedM.'' Elation gives way to terror when a tyrannosaur shows up; Annie escapes, but Jack is cut off while retrieving his pack and the book. Just in time, the pteranodon flies him back to the treehouse, and a hasty wish spins them safely home, to ponder several questions: Whose treehouse? Why all the books? Who is M''? In theFirst Stepping Stone'' series, this initial ``Magic Tree House'' book is a fast-paced tale offering both mystery and dinosaurs—powerful enticements for newly independent readers. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction/Young reader. 6-9)"

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-- This enjoyable time-travel fantasy is a successful beginning chapter book. Jack and his younger sister find a tree house filled with books. When he wishes he could really see the Pteranodon pictured in one of them, it appears at the window. The children have been transported back to the Cretaceous period. They begin to explore and are soon threatened by a Tyrannosaurus. The Pteranodon comes to their rescue, and they figure out enough about the magic that carried them back in time to be able to use it to return home. There is plenty of suspense and magic here, and enough dinosaur information to please science buffs. Characterization is sketchy and older children will find the plot predictable, but readers just past the easy-to-read stage will find it satisfying. It should attract those who devour Ruth Chew's books. --Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ