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The iconicMagic Tree House book seriesbegan in 1992 and has been going strong ever since.
Decades later, Osborne is still writing them.
The author also promotes children’s literacy through theClassroom Adventures/Gift of Booksprogram, donatingMagic Tree Housebooks to schools.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How does it feel to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the books?
It doesn’t feel real.
In some ways, I feel like I just started writing them.
It’s still an adventure and a challenge and I’m still having fun.
So I guess as long as I keep having fun I’ll keep writing them.
I was originally contracted to do four books, so I thought that would be the link.
What’s the latest news on theMagic Tree Housemovie?
Why did you pickChristmas in Camelotto turn into a movie?
It wasn’t the first book, but it was the firstMerlin Mission.
It’s longer, it’s deeper.
The regularMagic Tree Housebooks are half the length.
They’re for beginning readers and theMerlin Missionsare for more advanced readers.
What moved you to start the Classroom Adventures/Gift of Books program?
I would go to schools all over the country and get feedback from teachers and from kids.
After 20 years, I decided to give back to the teachers.
Did any of those suggestions from children make it into the books?
Oh yeah, in the beginning, I totally went by the popularity of different suggestions.
I take suggestions and then I get kids to vote on the most interesting ideas.
So that would be the next one I did.
What’s the process for designing the covers?
I’m such a great admirer of the illustrator, Sal Murdocca.
Sal works as hard at his book covers and his art as I do on the stories.
So sometimes I’ve literally had to pack a story into the cover.
I’m not sure now that I’m writing the story, how does that cover work?
Where did the idea for the books initially come from?
Random House wanted me to do a series.
I tried magic whistles, magic artist’s studios, a magic cellar.
I like to tell kids that sometimes the simplest ideas are the hardest ones to find.
