The "Cast of the Winter Witch" is a fantasy novel written by Ronald O'Sullivan. Set in a magical world, the story revolves around a young witch named Maeve who possesses the ability to control and manipulate ice and snow. Maeve is the winter witch, a rare and powerful being who is feared and revered by the inhabitants of the realm. Throughout the book, Maeve embarks on a thrilling adventure to save her village from a dark and ancient evil. Along the way, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. These include her loyal and brave childhood friend, Finn, who assists her in her quest.
The stars of the Magic Tree House series are siblings Jack and Annie, who discover a magical tree house filled with books. Tapping on a book sends them on mystery missions (often involving time travel) throughout the world. On each trip, Jack and Annie have to navigate suspenseful (but not too scary) situations to gather a collectible object or achieve a historically important goal. Kids get a dose of adventure, while also learning some history and factual information along the way.
For more about Mary Pope Osborne and her books, check out these interviews with her Magic Tree House Series Author Interview and 20th Anniversary of the Magic Tree House Interview With Mary Pope Osborne. One of the reasons Osborne receives so many letters from young readers is that her letters to readers make them feel that they have a personal connection with her.
These include her loyal and brave childhood friend, Finn, who assists her in her quest. There is also a wise and mysterious sage named Eldrid, who provides Maeve with guidance and wisdom. As Maeve delves deeper into her journey, she must face numerous challenges and obstacles.
Tap the Magic Tree - by Christie Matheson (Hardcover)
An innovative, refreshing debut picture book about the changing seasons and the magicNand true interactivityNof turning a page. Matheson invites the reader to tap, rub, touch, and wiggle illustrations to make an apple tree bloom, produce fruit, and lose its leaves. Full color.
Book Synopsis
The acclaimed interactive picture book about the changing seasons. "Like Hervé Tullet's Press Here, Matheson's Tap the Magic Tree proves you don't need apps for interactivity," praised the New York Times.
Every book needs you to turn the pages. But not every book needs you to tap it, shake it, jiggle it, or even blow it a kiss. Innovative and timeless, Tap the Magic Tree asks you to help one lonely tree change with the seasons. Now that's interactive--and magical!
It begins with a bare brown tree. But tap that tree, turn the page, and one bright green leaf has sprouted! Tap again--one, two, three, four--and four more leaves have grown on the next page. Pat, clap, wiggle, jiggle, and see blossoms bloom, apples grow, and the leaves swirl away with the autumn breeze. The collage-and-watercolor art evokes the bright simplicity of Lois Ehlert and Eric Carle and the interactive concept will delight fans of Pat the Bunny. Combining a playful spirit and a sense of wonder about nature, Christie Matheson has created a new modern classic that is a winner in every season--and every story time!
And don't miss the follow-up, Touch the Brightest Star!
From the Back Cover
There is magic in every tree.
The tall, silent one in the woods.
The small, bumpy one in the park.
Even the bare brown tree in your backyard.
As the seasons change, trees change, too.
They sprout leaves. The leaves change color.
Sometimes flowers bloom. Sometimes apples grow.
Trees shelter birds and feed squirrels and bees.
There is magic in every tree.
And in this book, you become the magician.
How?
Tap, clap, wiggle, jiggle,
and then . . .
turn the page.
Review Quotes
"Proves you don't need apps for interactivity. [A] child makes the seasons change by following Matheson's instructions; each turned page shows the result. You can imagine this book wearing out after repeated tapping, swishing, counting and shaking, but you won't ever have to recharge its battery." -- New York Times
"The conceit of this clever picture book is that the changing seasons occur as if by magic. Readers are shown a bare brown tree and are implored to, "Tap it once. Turn the page to see." As they do, green leaves appear. . . .Simply a treasure to behold." -- School Library Journal
"Matheson invites readers to take an apple tree through a seasonal round using taps and page turns in place of touch-screens. . . . A universal theme, developed in an unusually clean, simple presentation. and, at least, with no need for batteries." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Take an apple tree through the seasons by tapping, brushing, shaking, and clapping. . . . It's a good on-the-way-to-bed activity." -- Publishers Weekly
"Although simple in presentation with ample white space, the artwork provides a glorious rendition of the four seasons of a tree. No iPad is needed to make this interactive book totally satisfying." -- Booklist
From battling treacherous creatures in enchanted forests to deciphering cryptic riddles in ancient ruins, she must use her wit, courage, and winter magic to overcome these trials. In addition to the main characters, there are also several memorable supporting characters that Maeve encounters along her path. These include the mischievous pixie twins, Willow and Ivy, who provide moments of comic relief and aid Maeve with their unique magical abilities. There is also the stoic and honorable knight, Sir Geoffrey, who initially doubts Maeve but eventually becomes her ally and protector. As the story progresses, Maeve's powers and self-confidence grow, and she starts to discover the true extent of her abilities. She learns to control her magic more effectively, creating magnificent ice sculptures and summoning blizzards to aid her in battles. However, she also faces moments of doubt and vulnerability, questioning her own strength and the destiny that has been thrust upon her. As the climax approaches, Maeve confronts the winter witch, a powerful entity that seeks to engulf the realm in eternal winter. In an epic showdown, Maeve must draw upon all her skills and inner strength to defeat the evil winter witch and save her world from destruction. The "Cast of the Winter Witch" is a captivating and enchanting tale, filled with magical landscapes, fantastical creatures, and memorable characters. It is a story of bravery, friendship, and the power of believing in oneself. Through Maeve's journey, readers are taken on an extraordinary adventure filled with wonder and excitement..
Reviews for "Charm of the Ice Queen: Unlocking the Winter Witch's True Potential in Cast if the Winter Witch"
1. John - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Cast of the Winter Witch" as a fan of fantasy novels, but unfortunately, it fell short. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the characters lacked depth and development. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, with too many subplots that were left unresolved. Overall, I found it difficult to fully engage with the story and ended up feeling disappointed.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Cast of the Winter Witch" was a major letdown for me. The writing style was dull and monotonous, making it difficult to stay invested in the story. The world-building was also lacking, with little description or creativity. I found myself not caring about any of the characters and their struggles, as they felt flat and one-dimensional. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and immersive fantasy read.
3. Mike - 2/5 - "Cast of the Winter Witch" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. The pacing was inconsistent, causing the story to drag at times and rush through important events at others. The magical elements introduced in the book were not well-explained, and the resolution felt rushed and anti-climactic. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and lacking the depth needed to make it a memorable read in the fantasy genre.