About Us

Get to know the brilliant mind behind the captivating Magic Tree House series - Mary Pope Osborne. Learn about her inspiration, journey, and passion for storytelling.

• Early Life and Love of Reading: Mary Pope Osborne was born on May 20, 1949, in Fort Shafter, Hawaii, but she grew up in the United States. She loved reading books from an early age, especially stories that took her on adventures and to different parts of the world.

• A Passion for Travel: Osborne's love of travel greatly influenced her writing. She has traveled to many countries around the world, and these experiences have inspired many of the settings and historical details in the Magic Tree House series.

• Background in Education: Before becoming a full-time writer, Mary Pope Osborne worked as a teacher. This experience with young readers shaped her approach to writing books that are not only entertaining but also educational.

• First Published Book: Osborne's first book was Run, Run, Run, published in 1982. It was a picture book about a rabbit, but it was her Magic Tree House series that brought her widespread fame and success.

• The Inspiration for Magic Tree House: The idea for the Magic Tree House series came from a combination of Osborne's childhood love for stories of time travel and history, as well as her own memories of climbing trees and imagining different adventures. She created a magical treehouse that could transport children to various historical times and places, allowing them to experience history firsthand.

• Collaborative Work: Osborne worked closely with her husband, Will Osborne, who is also a writer. Together, they co-authored the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series, which provides non-fiction information about the historical topics explored in the main series.

• A Focus on Historical Accuracy: Mary Pope Osborne is committed to historical accuracy in her books. She works with historians and experts to make sure that the events, places, and characters in her stories are as accurate as possible.

• A Love for Writing: Osborne has written over 40 books, with Magic Tree House being her most famous. Her books have been translated into over 30 languages, making her one of the most widely read children's authors.

• Awards and Recognition: Mary Pope Osborne has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Golden Kite Award for children's literature, which recognizes excellence in writing for children.

• Mentorship and Inspiration: In addition to writing, Osborne is passionate about mentoring young writers. She often visits schools to talk to students about writing and reading, encouraging them to explore their own creative talents.

• Personal Interests: Mary Pope Osborne enjoys various creative pursuits outside of writing, including painting and acting. She has also written plays, and her Magic Tree House books have been adapted into stage productions.

• Family: Osborne is married to Will Osborne, and they have two daughters. Their family has been supportive of her career, and she often mentions how her personal experiences with her family have enriched her writing.