Magic Tree House #29: Christmas in Camelot is the twenty-ninth book in the Magic Tree House series, written by Mary Pope Osborne. In this installment, the main characters Jack and Annie are transported back in time to the mythical land of Camelot. They arrive at the castle of King Arthur and are greeted by the knight Sir Lancelot. Jack and Annie soon discover that Camelot is in trouble. The knights of the Round Table are missing, and without them, King Arthur's kingdom is vulnerable to attack from the evil sorceress Morgana. Jack and Annie embark on a quest to find the missing knights and save Camelot.
After the rise of Christianity in England, the old Pagan custom of lighting candles at Imbolc was incorporated into the Roman Catholic Church and renamed Candlemas. On the eve of Candlemas, candles would be distributed among the congregation and paraded around the church in a Festival of Light. After a service to honour the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, more candles to be used in the church during the following year would also be blessed and consecrated by the priest. The church practice of celebrating Candlemas continued in England until the 16th century, at which time during the Reformation it was discontinued being considered to closely allied with Pagan practices and magical accessories.
During the evening an especially large candle would have been lit while the family gathered around ready for a feast, during which plans and promises to be kept through the new season would be discussed and debated until it burned out. Today one of the main features of many coven initiations is a procession of candlelight leading the initiate into the circle from which their new beginnings as a Witch takes place.
Jack and Annie embark on a quest to find the missing knights and save Camelot. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and obstacles. They meet a magical dog named Teddy who befriends them and aids them in their mission.
Crepes, Storytelling, and Candlelight: Candlemas Traditions in Switzerland
Candlemas is one of my favorite holidays. Similar in some ways to Imbolc, it’s a gentle holiday, illuminated by small flames that remind us of imminent spring, whatever the weather outside tells us. Winter, with its persistent cold and dark, is my husband’s least favorite season, and we’re in the middle of a Nor’easter as I write. Our section of Appalachia gets a bit of snow every winter, maybe an inch or so three or four times a season, but right now we’ve gotten a good three or four inches overnight, and a thick layer of ice is promised. In this 100-year-old house of ours, our heating system has to work extra-hard to keep us warm enough. Needless to say, he -- and, to a lesser degree, the rest of us -- are hoping for a little Candlemas magic to bring the winter to an early end.
In the Swiss Alps -- a mountainous region where snow is profligate and winter has long carried with it a level of dread (for more reason than we have, considering the threat of avalanches) -- Candlemas is a part of the Fasnacht cycle. Fasnacht is akin to Carnival and Mardi Gras, all reaching their peak at the end of February. Later in the month, masked parades that have been held since long before Christianity came to the region will proceed down dark village streets. These parades are meant to drive off the spirits of cold, disease, and the hungry wilderness, while stirring awake the spirits that bring spring and all its gifts: longer days, warmth, fertility of the earth and the creatures that walk upon it. In Swiss folklore, the fairies -- led by a fairy queen and often taking the form of flowers -- do endless battle with the frost giants, who send their children in the form of avalanches to destroy villages in the winter. At Candlemas, we hope the fairies, or fertility spirits, will gain some ground against the frost giants. Through our rituals, we support them with our spiritual power and material offerings. Masked and costumed jesters in the German areas of Switzerland traditionally bar-hop on Candlemas, performing comical dances and songs in troupes . This is a development of the long-held ritual of traveling maskers performing plays, ballads, and songs to usher in the spring.
In French-speaking countries, Candlemas is called La Chandeleur, and crepes and pancakes are traditional fare, golden and round like the sun. While making them, if you can hold a coin in your left hand while flipping the crepe in your right hand, and the crepe lands flat on its other side in the pan, then you’ll have prosperity throughout the year. Additionally, you might keep the first crepe on top of an armoire to ensure a good harvest and deter bad luck from the household (folklore promises that it won’t mold, but I’ve yet to test that dubious claim). It’s likely that this is meant as an offering for the household spirit , who is often associated with cupboards and other storage places throughout Europe. Pancakes, crepes, and similar flatbreads have a long lineage , originating as far back as the Stone Age -- they're a truly ancient food.
Ever since we began celebrating Candlemas, it’s been our tradition to eat a candlelit fondue dinner with vegetables, apples, and chunks of crusty bread. This year, I also plan to make a crepe cake layered with whipped cream, chocolate ganache, and a cherry pudding for dessert. I’d like to add a couple more traditions into the mix as well: after dinner, read aloud a story about the fertility spirits battling the frost giants; maybe sing some songs about spring and summer. (I can already hear us singing “Wild Mountain Thyme” around the table.) We’ll leave tea lights burning in the bay window overnight (safely nestled in my collection of fairy lamps), and in the morning, we’ll see what the groundhogs say about the remainder of the season.
In pagan mythology Imbolc marks the recovery of the Goddess as she sleeps on after the birth of the Sun God, and she acknowledges his growing maturity as he gains strength to become the new light of the year. After his rest and recuperation during winter�s annual hibernation, the Sun god�s light begins to purify the earth. Although he is still young he is also lusty and his growing power can be felt in the lengthening of the days. As his power grows and warms the earth so too does the early beginnings of spring appear as nature rebirths itself again.
The children must solve riddles and puzzles, face their fears, and learn important lessons about bravery and loyalty. As Jack and Annie search for the missing knights, they also learn about the true meaning of Christmas. They witness acts of kindness and generosity from the people of Camelot, and discover the importance of giving and spreading joy during the holiday season. In the end, Jack and Annie successfully find the missing knights and help restore peace to Camelot. They return to the magic tree house knowing that they have made a difference in the lives of King Arthur and his people. Christmas in Camelot is a heartwarming and adventurous tale that combines elements of fantasy, history, and holiday spirit. It teaches important values such as friendship, courage, and the importance of helping others. Readers of all ages will be captivated by the magical world of Camelot and inspired by Jack and Annie's bravery and determination..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Past with Jack and Annie in Magic Tree House 29"
1. Alex - 2/5 - "I was really disappointed with 'Magic Tree House #29'. The storyline was dull and predictable, and the characters were flat. It felt like the authors were just going through the motions without any real creativity or originality. I expected more from this series, especially considering it has been successful in the past. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it."
2. Emily - 1/5 - "I found 'Magic Tree House #29' to be incredibly boring and uninteresting. The plot was slow-paced and lacked any excitement or depth. The writing felt repetitive and juvenile, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The characters were one-dimensional and didn't have any meaningful development. I wouldn't waste my time on this book."
3. Mark - 2/5 - "I have been a fan of the Magic Tree House series for a while, but 'Magic Tree House #29' was a letdown. The storyline felt rushed and poorly executed, and the magic element that usually adds intrigue to the series was lacking. I felt like the authors were just trying to churn out another book without putting much effort into it. I hope future installments can recapture the magic of the earlier books."
4. Sarah - 2/5 - "I was really excited to read 'Magic Tree House #29', but it didn't live up to my expectations at all. The plot felt disjointed and it was difficult to follow the events unfolding. Additionally, the writing style felt rushed and didn't have the same charm as previous books in the series. It was a disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it to others."