In my last column, I wrote about Dr. Seuss’s birthday (March 2) which is now celebrated as National Read Across America Day. In keeping with the reading theme, in my next several columns, I would like to review a few of my family’s favorite children’s books and book series.

All of the books and book series that I will review are available at my local library and I hope are available in a library near you as well. Check out a few and read them together as a family. Enjoy!

Magic Tree House Book Series

Author: Mary Pope Osborne

The Magic Tree House book series features the adventures of siblings Jack and Annie as they travel around the world in a magic tree house to many different historical time periods and places. The books are educational as well as entertaining, teaching history and science in an engaging way.

There are many books in the series covering topics such as dinosaurs, space, ancient Egypt, the first Olympic games, the American Revolution, and the pilgrims, just to name a few. In my opinion, the series is best read in order; however, the books can be enjoyed individually. Many of the books have nonfiction companion “Fact Trackers” that provide more in-depth information about a topic.

The Magic Tree House book series is geared toward children in the six to nine-year-old age range who are beginning to read chapter books; however, all of my children enjoy these books, from my two-year-old up to my eleven year old. The books are quick to read, full of action and adventure, and are great for children to read on their own or for parents to read aloud to kids.