The Magic Tree House is a popular children's book series written by Mary Pope Osborne. It follows the adventures of siblings Jack and Annie, who discover a magical tree house filled with books that transport them to different times and places in history. In the ninth book of the series, titled "Dolphin Diaries," Jack and Annie find themselves in the ocean with dolphins. This adventure takes place in the Caribbean Sea, where the siblings must find a pearl to help save a pod of dolphins from an evil magician. Throughout the book, Jack and Annie learn about dolphins and their habitat. They encounter various dangers, including a shark attack and a hurricane, but with the help of the dolphins, they are able to overcome these obstacles and find the pearl.
Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl. Wash your hands, then scoop the mixture into your palms and rub gently into your hands and fingers. Leave on for 10 minutes, then gently wash clean. The mixture will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a few days.
T here s always room for a raucous solstice party that lasts all night, but personally, I m partial to a quiet, chill evening, a glass of mead or rosé while watching the sunset, and some restorative summer solstice rituals. Of course, there is also the Shakespearean version of the solstice which appears in A Midsummer Night s Dream, a tale of magic, mischief, and fairy folk.
They encounter various dangers, including a shark attack and a hurricane, but with the help of the dolphins, they are able to overcome these obstacles and find the pearl. The Magic Tree House series is known for its educational content, incorporating historical facts and important lessons for young readers. In "Dolphin Diaries," children can learn about marine life, conservation, and the importance of teamwork.
The Summer Solstice is a time for celebration!
Historically, the summer solstice has had a firm place amongst most cultures and religions. A time to celebrate the longest day and the gifts that mother nature blesses us with. In fact, some cultures take the summer solstice with as much celebration as Christmas and birthdays!
When is the summer solstice?
This question also sits in with ‘what is the summer solstice?’ in many ways! Firstly, the day is not fixed to a specific date. The summer solstice is when the sun has reached its northernmost point from the equator. Typically, this happens in mid-June around the 20th, 21st, or 22nd of the month. This year, 2023, it rests on the 21st of June.
What does Solstice mean?
Fascinatingly, the word solstice comes from the Latine word solstitium. The literal translation is the sun – sol, standing still – stitium. This standing still of the sun is a reflection of the feeling the never-ending day that the longest hours of sunlight brings. Likewise, we also have the winter solstice of the shortest day! This is a reflection of the sun feeling like it stands still in the sky and hardly rises at all!
So, what can you do to celebrate the summer solstice?
You will be glad to know you won’t have to become a pagan or druid to celebrate the summer solstice! There are plenty of ways that you can get involved! In almost all cultures the thing that unites their celebrations is giving thanks to the earth and gratitude for nature. With that in mind, there is an almost endless way that you can enjoy the longest day. Here are our top 5 ways to celebrate the summer solstice.
Start the Day With the Sun
One of our favourite ways is to rise with the sun. Starting the day early and getting out into nature is the best way to begin any day but on the longest day, it feels even better! Firstly, connecting to the rhythms of the day allows us to feel more connected to the earth. Secondly, it creates this magical time where your day hasn’t really begun yet giving you plenty of time to take your morning slowly. Make a cup of tea, take it out and sit somewhere you can listen to the bird song get louder as the sun gets higher. in 2020, the sunrise for the summer solstice will be at an early bird 4.46 am but first light beginning around 3.30 am!
Spend the Whole Day Outside
This is actually something we don’t do very often. Even for those of us that love the great outdoors and being in nature rarely commit to a full day outside unless we are camping! Honestly, it takes a little bit of preparation beforehand. Start by creating a picnic basket of delicious goodies and pack a bag with everything you may need for your adventure. See if you can spend the whole day out and about, walking, sitting, watching, and listening.
Give Gaia an Offering
The solstice is celebrated across almost every religion and culture in some way, even if it is historically. In most of these traditions, mother nature is celebrated and offerings are made! Some use it as a time to dedicate their meditations and prayers to the earth, others spend hours singing and chanting in hopes for abundance as they transition to the shorter days. For some, physical offerings are made, and gifts are given. You could create a small shrine in your home using leaves, sticks, and flowers or create a mandala in your garden using the gifts of nature around you. Whatever you do or dedicate, do it with love for the earth.
Get Creative, Get Connected
In Sweden, the summer solstice is known as mid-summer and is one of the most celebrated times of the year. Families and friends gather together for feasts and fun, dancing, singing, and creating. Gather your loved ones and enjoy a (sensibly socially distanced of course) al fresco lunch together! A beautiful tradition in Sweden is the creation of flower crowns. Starting the day with a walk to pick wildflowers they then create beautiful flower crown to wear for the remainder of the day!
Watch the Sunset
Who doesn’t love watching the sunset!? For the 2023 summer solstice, the sun will set at 9.22 pm but the last light won’t be until nearly 10.30 pm! That gives you plenty of time to enjoy the day especially if you also woke up for sunrise!
How to Celebrate Summer Solstice in 2023
We will be celebrating the Summer Solstice in Santorini this year, if you want to experience the longest day of the year while watching a stunning sunset – then this is the place for you!
Traditionally in the UK, thousands of people have flocked to festivals and sites like Stone Henge to dance and unite in celebration. Check out the links below to some upcoming Summer Solstice events in the UK.
If you have joined one of our retreats before you probably already know that we love to spend time outdoors and celebrating the gifts of mother nature! Join us on one of our retreats in the UK or yoga holidays abroad and embrace our love for adventure with us!
During the day before, day of, and day after the solstice, the sun appears to stand still, setting in the exact same spot on the horizon each day. This is especially noticeable in the far northern reaches of the world, where the midnight sun never seems to set, which contributes to the romantic and enduring images of a Swedish midsummer.
Mary Pope Osborne's writing style is engaging and accessible for young readers. The stories are filled with adventure and suspense, making them a favorite among children. The Magic Tree House series has been praised for its ability to entertain and educate at the same time. In conclusion, "Magic Tree House 9: Dolphin Diaries" is an exciting and educational book that takes readers on a journey to the Caribbean Sea. With its blend of adventure and factual information, this installment of the series is sure to captivate young readers and inspire their curiosity about the world around them..
Reviews for "The Magic of Imagination in Magic Tree House 9"
1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I really didn't enjoy Magic Tree House 9. The storyline felt repetitive and predictable, with Jack and Annie going on yet another time-traveling adventure. I felt like I was reading the same book over and over again. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, I was disappointed with this installment in the series and it didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mike - ★★☆☆☆
I was not impressed with Magic Tree House 9. The writing style felt too simplistic and aimed for a much younger audience than I expected. The plot was weak and lacked substance, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book. The historical facts included were minimal and didn't provide enough educational value. I was hoping for a more captivating and thought-provoking read, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me.
3. Lisa - ★★☆☆☆
Magic Tree House 9 didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt rushed and the pacing was off, which made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the story. The dialogue between characters was stilted and unrealistic, and I found myself cringing at some of the interactions. Additionally, the illustrations were not as detailed or vibrant as in previous books, which was disappointing. Overall, I found this installment in the series to be lackluster and not as engaging as I had hoped.
4. Tom - ★☆☆☆☆
I couldn't get into Magic Tree House 9 at all. The writing style was simplistic and the story felt forced. The time-traveling concept has become stale and repetitive, and it seemed like the authors were simply running out of ideas for fresh adventures. The characters lacked depth and were one-dimensional, making it hard for me to invest in their journey. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and it didn't hold my interest.