"Magic Tree House: Dolphins at Daybreak" is the ninth book in the popular children's series written by Mary Pope Osborne. In this adventure, siblings Jack and Annie are transported to the ocean where they find themselves on a mission to solve a riddle and help free a group of captive dolphins. The story begins when Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house in the woods near their home. This magical tree house allows them to travel through time and space to different historical eras and locations. In this book, they are whisked away to a deserted island during the time of the dinosaurs. However, their mission quickly becomes clear when they spot a group of dolphins held captive in a lagoon.
However, their mission quickly becomes clear when they spot a group of dolphins held captive in a lagoon. Jack and Annie soon learn that the dolphins are being held by an evil wizard who plans to use their magic to take over the world. With the help of a friendly dolphin named Kathleen, the siblings must solve a riddle to release the dolphins from their captivity.
Witch Hat Cookies
Halloween is around the corner but we don’t celebrate it. Halloween seasonal foods tempt though, every time I browse Pinterest. I have a dislike for gory and ugly looking food. Can you understand why anyone would want to eat anything that looks like bloody brains, slime, or worms? Give me cute looking food like these Witch Hat Cookies, and I can get on board with that.
My daughter is grown up but when she was a kid still in school she liked cute Halloween food. These Halloween Brownies, Spider Web Cookies, Chocolate Cake with Meringue Ghosts, a variety of Halloween Cupcakes, Hoot Owl Cookies and Spider Cookies, Blood Spattered Cookies, and Oreo Bats should tell you how much she loved them. I’ve even made savoury Halloween treats like Herbed Boo Ghosts and Barmbrack!
This year most my daughter’s cousins are around and the eldest of them has a little boy. He’s at an age where he enjoys fun treats. This basically meant I could give into the temptation to make something cute for Halloween. Witch Hat Cookies were my pick this time.
Witch Hat Cookies are easy enough to make. You need three ingredients – chocolate cookies/ biscuits, coloured icing/ frosting and chocolate kisses. The cookies are the brims of the hat, the chocolate kisses are the domes, and the icing makes the hat bands.
If you’re really short of time, you can use Oreos or any other brand of flat, thin and round chocolate biscuits. I don’t like Oreos so I made the chocolate biscuits. They’re not very fancy but rustic, and I like to think that’s part of their charm. Children aren’t particularly bothered with fancy looking stuff. My grandnephew told me he thought they looked quite nice and tasted really good!
The cookie recipe below makes not too sweet chocolate cookies. The sugar in the chocolate kisses and the icing/ frosting will balance it out. If you choose to make your own cookies you can use this recipe or another one you prefer. Just remember you want a recipe without much leavening as flatter looking cookies are better here.
I used royal icing on my cookies because they dry and harden. It adds a nice texture and also keeps well in my warm climate unlike buttercream. You ca use buttercream too. To make royal icing, beat an egg white till soft peaks form. Beat in a little lime juice, vanilla extract and enough icing sugar till it reaches required consistency (a little thick). Divide and colour as desired.
This recipe (sponsored by Amy’s Kitchen) makes 12 witch hats (aka sorcerer hats).
Along the way, they encounter other marine creatures such as sharks and squid, and learn about the importance of protecting the ocean and its inhabitants. As with other books in the Magic Tree House series, "Dolphins at Daybreak" combines adventure, fantasy, and educational content. The story is filled with interesting facts about dolphins and the marine ecosystem, making it a great book for young readers who are curious about the natural world. It also touches on themes of teamwork, bravery, and compassion. Overall, "Magic Tree House: Dolphins at Daybreak" is an engaging and educational book that takes readers on a thrilling journey to the ocean. It is a perfect choice for children who enjoy adventure stories and are interested in learning about marine life..
Reviews for "Unmasking the historical figures in Magic Tree House 9"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Magic Tree House 9" to be incredibly dull and lacking in excitement. The plot seemed repetitive and predictable, with the characters facing yet another magical adventure without any real stakes or consequences. The writing style was also quite basic and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with the story or the characters. Overall, I was disappointed with this installment of the series and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1 star - I can't believe I wasted my time reading "Magic Tree House 9". The story was incredibly far-fetched and unrealistic, even for a children's book. The characters seemed one-dimensional and lacked any real development or growth throughout the book. The plot felt forced and rushed, with events happening without any logical explanation. I couldn't suspend my disbelief long enough to enjoy this book, and I certainly won't be continuing with the series.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Magic Tree House 9" felt like a rehashed version of previous books in the series. It lacked originality and creativity, with the same formulaic structure and predictable outcome. The writing style was also quite simplistic and didn't engage me as a reader. Additionally, the characters didn't feel relatable or well-developed, making it difficult for me to care about their adventures. Overall, I was disappointed with this installment and would recommend other books in the series instead.