Magic Tree House is a popular series of children's books written by Mary Pope Osborne. The twenty-sixth installment in the series is titled "Good Morning, Gorillas." In this book, the main characters, Jack and Annie, travel to the mountains of Africa. Their mission is to find a rare mountain gorilla as they try to solve a puzzle. The main idea of the book is the adventure and excitement that Jack and Annie experience while searching for the gorillas. The story captures their encounters with local animals, resilient vegetation, and the fascinating wildlife of Africa.
All this time, you thought witches were supposed to be brewing up potions in those big, bubbling cauldrons. But what if we told you that instead, those massive black pots were full of a more popular poison: beer?
Those latter two accessories have historically also been tools of the once-female-dominated ale brewing trade, a connection that historians have been puzzling out for decades. As far as Halloween decorations and elementary school literature is concerned, witches are frequently portrayed as a craggy old woman with wispy gray hair, a big hooked nose, a pointed black hat, and maybe a broom.
The story captures their encounters with local animals, resilient vegetation, and the fascinating wildlife of Africa. Throughout the book, the author provides descriptive details about the African landscape, allowing readers to visualize the lush forests, dense jungles, and towering mountains. The gorillas they encounter are portrayed as majestic creatures with their own challenging world.
The Ale-Soaked Medieval Origins of the Witch's Hat
The tall pointed hats we associate with witches in pop culture were first worn by women hawking homemade beer.
October 31, 2018, 9:22pm Illustration via Getty Images/lezhepyoka; composite image by Munchies Staff.All this time, you thought witches were supposed to be brewing up potions in those big, bubbling cauldrons. But what if we told you that instead, those massive black pots were full of a more popular poison: beer?
As far as Halloween decorations and elementary school literature is concerned, witches are frequently portrayed as a craggy old woman with wispy gray hair, a big hooked nose, a pointed black hat, and maybe a broom. Those latter two accessories have historically also been tools of the once-female-dominated ale brewing trade, a connection that historians have been puzzling out for decades. Yep—historically speaking, those ladies in big pointy hats might have actually been brewing ale.
AdvertisementIllustration of a 17th century alewife by David Loggan, via Wikimedia Commons.
Women who brewed ale at home were known in medieval Europe as “alewives,” and they did so as part of their normal routine of domestic duties. While in contemporary America, beer brewing is often dominated by hyper-masculine stereotypes and entrepreneurship, ale brewing—much like butter churning or bread baking—was considered well within the domain of the woman’s sphere of work within the home. It was as much of a necessity of life as any of those other chores, given that fermented beverages were often safer to drink than water. And like butter, cheese, or any other homemade foodstuffs, if a household could produce enough beyond their own immediate needs, the women of the house often took their goods to market to make a little extra money.
In order to catch as many eyes as possible, and to signal from a distance what they were selling, these “brewsters” wore tall hats. As a cottage industry, there was very little oversight or regulation to the home-grown brewing businesses, according to Rod Phillips in the comprehensive text Alcohol: A History. But there were also large-scale commercial breweries, widely owned by men, which were leveraging new technologies and making larger quantities of product. As these operations grew and took on the appearance of a "real" profession, with guilds and trade associations, women were by and large excluded.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, small-scale ale producers, mostly brewsters, began to face accusations of a whole host of immoralities that caused irreparable damage to their reputations. According to Judith Bennett, the preeminent historian of women brewers in this period of England’s history, both the public and the male-dominated brewing industry accused brewsters of diluting or adulterating their ale with cheaper brews, and thus of cheating customers. Brewsters were also accused of selling tainted ales that could make drinkers sick, perhaps intentionally. And generally speaking, at this time, a woman having a working knowledge of herbal concoctions and medicines was highly suspect, and might face rumors that she was using her knowledge for nefarious ends. Thus, the sign of the humble alewife’s hat came to be associated with all the same evil maliciousness of a poison-peddling witch.
The tall pointed hats we associate with witches in pop culture were first worn by women hawking homemade beer.
The author also emphasizes the importance of conservation and respecting the animals and their habitats. As with all Magic Tree House books, "Good Morning, Gorillas" combines adventure, mystery, and educational elements. The siblings use their problem-solving skills and knowledge gained in previous adventures to overcome obstacles and complete their mission. The book subtly teaches children about the importance of research, teamwork, and appreciating different cultures and animals. With engaging and age-appropriate language, "Good Morning, Gorillas" captivates young readers, encouraging them to explore different parts of the world through the power of imagination. The series aims to inspire curiosity and a love for reading while providing valuable lessons and knowledge. Magic Tree House is a beloved series that has captured the hearts of children for years, and "Good Morning, Gorillas" continues to uphold its reputation for excellent storytelling and educational value..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Secrets of Magic Tree House 26"
1. Emma - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 26". The plot felt recycled and predictable, and I didn't feel any connection to the characters. The writing also seemed rushed and lacked depth. Overall, it just didn't live up to the standard set by previous books in the series. I wouldn't recommend this one.
2. Tom - 1/5 - This was by far one of the worst books in the "Magic Tree House" series. The story was boring and lacked excitement. It felt like a rehash of previous adventures, with nothing new or interesting to offer. The characters were dull and one-dimensional, and there was no character development. I was incredibly disappointed and wouldn't waste my time reading this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I've been a fan of the "Magic Tree House" series for years, but "Magic Tree House 26" was a letdown. The storyline felt forced and uninspired, with little to no suspense or excitement. The writing was also repetitive and lacked creativity. It felt like the author was just going through the motions, rather than delivering a captivating story. I hope the next book in the series is better, as this one was a disappointment.
4. Mike - 2.5/5 - While "Magic Tree House 26" had its moments, overall it fell flat for me. The plot was predictable and the writing style didn't engage me like previous books in the series. I found myself skimming through the pages, waiting for something interesting to happen. The characters lacked depth and the adventure felt rushed. It's not the worst book in the series, but it definitely didn't leave a lasting impression.