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“Magic Tree House” Graphic Novels Announced

By | October 27th, 2020
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Cover by Kelly and
Nichole Matthews
The Associated Press reports American children’s author Mary Pope Osborne’s fantasy series Magic Tree House are being adapted into graphic novels by playwright Jenny Laird, and artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews. The adaptation of the first book, “Magic Tree House: The Graphic Novel — Dinosaurs Before Dark,” will be published by Random House on May 4, 2021.

Begun in 1992, Magic Tree House follows the adventures of siblings Jack and Annie, who discover a tree house owned by Morgan Le Fay (who’s portrayed as a kindly librarian), and are sent on missions through history, including their inaugural adventure in prehistoric times. The series, originally illustrated by Salvatore Murdocca, has had 34 entries (the most recent of which, Animal Rescues: Late Lunch With Llamas, was published this year), as well as the spin-off series Magic Tree House: Merlin Mission, and non-fiction companions for each book.

“I’m so excited for Jack and Annie’s time travel adventures to reach a new generation of readers who are drawn to the thrilling visual experience that graphic novels provide,” Osborne said in a press release. “As with all of my books, I hope these adaptations will inspire children to learn more about world history and instill in them a lifelong love of reading.”

Jenny Laird is an award-winning playwright whose previous work include musical theater adaptations of the books; she is also currently working on a animated Magic Tree House series. Kelly and Nichole Matthews, who are twin sisters and a comic art team, have previously illustrated R.L. Stine’s “Just Beyond” series at BOOM! Studios, as well as “Pandora’s Legacy,” “The Power of the Dark Crystal,” and “Toil and Trouble.”


Christopher Chiu-Tabet

Chris is the news manager of Multiversity Comics. A writer from London on the autistic spectrum, he enjoys tweeting and blogging on Medium about his favourite films, TV shows, books, music, and games, plus history and religion. He is Lebanese/Chinese, although he can't speak Cantonese or Arabic.

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