Magic Tree House books are colorful, fantastical, and a fun way for children to explore the world around them.
There are a number of children’s books suitable for a variety of ages but the Magic Tree House series is a true classic when it comes to books for children.

The colorful design and playful stories are designed for kids between seven and ten years old.
Children can get to know ninjas, dinosaurs, historical events, and weather phenomena through these easily accessible fiction books.
While you can read all Magic Tree House novels as standalone books, they are so much more fun when you start with the first one and explore them one page at a time.
In this article, we take a look at the right reading order of all 60 Magic Tree House books for children.
About The Magic Tree House Series
Written by Mary Pope Osborne, the Magic Tree House books take their inspiration from the author’s travels around the world.
The original Magic Tree House series follows Annie and Jack. The two children discover a magic book in their tree house one day.
This wonderful book takes them on travels to events in the past.
From Ancient Egypt and the Middle Ages to Japan and the Ice Age, the children discover history in a playful way through time travel.
In the second series, known as the Merlin series, Annie and Jack follow the wise wizard Merlin.
Some of the books in the Merlin series take place in fictional locations, such as Merlin’s Camelot.
Some of the Magic Tree House books are so engaging that they were turned into theater plays and musical adaptations performed by kids.
The Japanese production company Media Factory also created an anime film about Jack and Annie. Directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori, the animation film came out in 2012.
In 2016, movie production company Lionsgate acquired the film rights and they are working on a Magic Tree House movie.
All 60 Magic Tree House Books In Order
There are over 60 Magic Tree House books in the entire series. Here is our recommended reading order for all Magic Tree House children’s books.
Dinosaurs Before Dark
Jack and Annie discover a magical book in their tree house. Before they can find out where it came from, the book takes them to the time of the dinosaurs.
Pros
- The very first Magic Tree House book is so much fun to read for children.
Cons
- Some readers find this book is more for older children as it doesn’t contain a lot of pictures.
The Knight At Dawn
In the second book, Jack and Annie are whisked away to the Middle Ages where they meet a mysterious knight.
Pros
- This magical history lesson is ideal for parents and grandparents to read with their children and grandchildren.
Cons
- Some of the little readers found this book not very interesting.
Mummies In The Morning
The magic book takes Jack and Annie to Ancient Egypt where they discover the dark secrets of a mummy.
Pros
- This is the ideal book for a gentle bedtime story.
Cons
- There are a few dark scenes in this book, so not for easily frightened readers.
Pirates Past Noon
There is a treasure waiting for Jack and Annie but they have to maneuver troublesome seas and Pirates first.
Pros
- This is a fantastic story to teach children more about good and evil.
Cons
- Some readers found the stories incredibly short.
Night Of The Ninjas
In this Magic Tree House book, Jack and Annie are taken to Ancient Japan where they meet a real, live ninja.
Pros
This Magic Tree House fiction book is ideal for children who want to learn a little more about ninjas.
Cons
Some little readers felt that the ending wasn’t good enough. They hoped Jack and Annie would become ninjas.
Afternoon On The Amazon
Jack and Annie have to navigate the treacherous dangers of the Amazon. From killer ants to vampire bats, they try to escape and find themselves lost in the jungle.
Pros
- This children’s story is ideal as a conversation starter between children and parents.
Cons
- Some parents felt that the storyline was a bit thin with this book.
Sunset Of The Sabertooth
Jack and Annie only wear bathing suits when they are whisked away to the freezing Ice Age. But the cold is not their only problem when a large cat suddenly appears.
Pros
- This charming story is not just suitable for young children but for teachers and anyone who is looking to learn English.
Cons
- This is a practical book but doesn’t have a long plot.
Midnight On The Moon
Every child dreams of going to the moon one day. When the magic book takes Annie and Jack to the moon, they are overjoyed but also worried that they won’t get back home.
Pros
- This is a well-written book for children with lots of background information.
Cons
- While most young readers liked this story, it is not the best book in the Magic Tree House series from Osborne.
Dolphins At Daybreak
Jack and Annie suddenly find themselves in the middle of the ocean. Luckily, there are kind rescuers at hand who save them and show the children their world.
Pros
- This is a truly engaging story about ocean life and the animals living underwater.
Cons
- Some young readers found this book not as interesting as the Magic Tree House ninja book.
Ghost Town At Sundown
In this fun book, Annie and Jack end up in the Wild West where they track down horse thieves and a haunted town.
Pros
- This is a super quick story that children can read in a day.
Cons
- There aren’t a lot of pictures that make the story more visually appealing.
Lions At Lunchtime
There are so many adventures waiting for Annie and Jack in the wilderness of Africa. From wildebeest herds to wild cats, the two children explore the plains with a wise Masai.
Pros
- This Magic Tree House book has short chapters which makes it easier as bedtime stories.
Cons
- Some young readers found the book a bit too serious and they suggested that it is more fun to play football on the Serengeti.
Other Magic Tree House Books In Reading Order
In addition to the Magic Tree House books we looked at, there are also plenty of other books in this series.
- Polar Bears Past Bedtime
- Vacation Under the Volcano
- Day of the Dragon King
- Viking Ships at Sunrise
- Hour of the Olympics
- Tonight on the Titanic
- Buffalo Before Breakfast
- Tigers at Twilight
- Dingoes at Dinnertime
- Civil War on Sunday
- Revolutionary War on Wednesday
- Twister on Tuesday
- Earthquake in the Early Morning
- Stage Fright on a Summer Night
- Good Morning, Gorillas
- Thanksgiving on Thursday
- High Tide in Hawaii
- A Big Day for Baseball
- Hurricane Heroes in Texas
- Warriors in Winter
- To the Future, Ben Franklin
- Narwhal on a Sunny Night
- Late Lunch with Llamas
- Camp Time in California
- Sunlight on the Snow Leopard
- Rhinos at Recess
- Time of the Turtle King
- Christmas in Camelot
- Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve
- Summer of the Sea Serpent
- Winter of the Ice Wizard
- Carnival at Candlelight
- Season of the Sandstorms
- Night of the New Magicians
- Blizzard of the Blue Moon
- Dragon of the Red Dawn
- Monday with a Mad Genius
- Dark Day in the Deep Sea
- Eve of the Emperor Penguin
- Moonlight on the Magic Flute
- A Good Night for Ghosts
- Leprechaun in Late Winter
- A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time
- A Crazy Day with Cobras
- Dogs in the Dead of Night
- Abe Lincoln At Last
- A Perfect Time For Pandas
- Stallion at Starlight
- Hurry Up, Houdini!
- High Time for Heroes
- Soccer on Sunday
- Shadow of the Shark
- Balto of the Blue Dawn
- Night of the Ninth Dragon
- Danger in the Darkest Hour (Super Edition)
Final Thoughts
The Magic Tree House series is a fun way for children to learn more about history, weather events, different continents, and the world around them.
The colorful books are easy to understand for children between six and eight years old, although the most recent Magic Tree House books are also suitable for 8+ years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can A 7-Year-Old Read Magic Tree House?
Yes, the original Magic Tree House books were designed for children between the ages of 6 and 8.
Later Magic Tree House books, such as the Merlin series, are also suitable for older children aged 8 and over.
What Is The Longest Magic Tree House Book?
The longest Magic Tree House book is the super edition “Danger in the Darkest Hour”. It has 192 pages.
Does The Magic Tree House Series Need To Be Read In Order?
You don’t have to read all the Magic Tree House books in reading order as most of the books are standalone stories.
However, they all fit nicely together, so it is a good idea to read the different themes of the Magic Tree House books in the right order.
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