The Magic Tree House is a popular book series written by Mary Pope Osborne, and one of the exciting adventures in the series is the encounter with a dragon. In this particular book titled "Dragon of the Red Dawn," the main characters, Jack and Annie, are transported to ancient China through their magical tree house. As Jack and Annie explore ancient China, they learn about the Dragon Emperor and the power of a dragon. The Dragon Emperor is searching for his lost dragon, and Jack and Annie are determined to help him find it. They embark on a thrilling journey, filled with challenges and mysteries, as they seek to reunite the emperor and his dragon. Throughout the story, the author highlights the importance of friendship, bravery, and resourcefulness.
Witch Pix — Salem MA Attractions Reviews
Last weekend I had the pleasure of sitting down with Hope, the owner of Witch Pix in Salem. We chatted for a bit and she gave me an overview of how things work at her studio. The following day she invited me back for a photo shoot so I could get the full experience and today on the blog as part of the Salem Reviews we’re going to chat all about it!
The day we first met up, Hope gave me a walk around of Witch Pix. She explained that when you arrive for your shoot, you’re first brought over to the clothing area. You’re given a large bin with handles to put your coats and personal belongings into for safe keeping and you’re assisted in picking an outfit. All of their clothes are tied/open in the back so it doesn’t matter your body shape, it’ll be easy to find clothes that work for you. They do also carry clothes for kids and men, so you can bring the whole group along if you like. It’s not all just women’s clothes. Next, you’re moved over to the hats! Again, you’re assisted in picking one that suits your outfit and fits you properly.
Finally…the photo shoot. I am the first to admit I am wayyyyy more comfortable behind the camera as opposed to in front of it. I have spent many years of my life behind the camera, so being the subject of the pictures was awkward at first for me. However, the shoot went really well and I was given a ton of guidance on how to stand, how to pose and what to do which made it easier. I felt comfortable and the guidance was super helpful. I was brought into multiple sets including one with a crystal ball, one with a broom and one with a cauldron. This meant I was going to be given a diverse selection of pictures to chose from which is a huge plus and means you’re likely to find pictures you love.
Once we finished shooting I was assisted in taking the outfit back off (which, by the way, was over my regular street clothes. No need to take off your normal clothing.) and we went over to the computers. After the pictures were processed, which only took a few minutes, I was able to look through them all. They apply different filters to some of the pictures so you can have different effects. They offer regular color, sepia, night shot and sepia night shot. This means they have different tones, much like how Instagram filters change the appearance of an image.
Pricing at Witch Pix depends on what you’re looking for…you can get a handful of prints all the way up to a flash drive of every picture taken. The employees help you figure out pricing and you can make your order.
Now, I know my readers always want to know what it comes down to…would I do it again? Was it worth it? Would I suggest it to someone visiting Salem?
My answer to all of the above is yes. Despite having some anxiety about being in front of the camera I was made to feel comfortable and spent most of the shoot smiling happily. The end product was a lot of fun to see and the whole experience was positive.
I think a visit to Witch Pix is a fun idea for single people in Salem, groups of friends, families and more. If you’re looking for a fun “witchy” or “spooky” photo session, they’re your go-to. Hope even mentioned at one point that if you want to book the studio for a group, they will shut the place down for your group. I think this could be such a fun option for birthday parties or bachelorette parties and Hope did say they have done photo shoots with those exact groups.
If you want to check them out, the can be found on Instagram, Facebook and their website is here. They are located at 172 Essex St. Salem, MA 01970 inside the Witch City Mall.
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Witch Pix
Specialties Witch costume fantasy photo shoots with you as the star! Experience Salem with Style! Unique entertainment for friends, couples, and families - all sizes and ages. Be A Witch! Be A Wizard! Dress Up! Photo Shoots! Trained stylists guide you to the perfect handmade costume. Within minutes your ready for the shoot! Experienced photographers direct you through poses and set the tone for dramatic, spooky, and candid photo shoots. Use of 4 camera filters create galleries rich in color, flattering with sepia tones and w. read more
Throughout the story, the author highlights the importance of friendship, bravery, and resourcefulness. Jack and Annie must work together and use their knowledge and courage to overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. Along the way, they discover the significance of the color red in Chinese culture and the historical legend of dragons.
Location details
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172 Essex St, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
| Weekday | Schedule | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | Closed | |
| Tue | 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
| Wed | 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
| Thu | 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
| Fri | 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
| Sat | 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
| Sun | 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
4.8 984 reviews
Welcome to Salem, Where Every Day Is Halloween
In Salem, Massachusetts, there are taxi cars painted a cauldron-slime green and branded “Witch City Taxi.” The city’s mascot is an ominous flying witch. Everything here is, indeed, a bit witchy: Welcome to America’s hub of all-things Halloween. The New England city’s spooky attitude is no coincidence. It is, after all, where the Salem Witch Trials took place from 1692 to 1693 in the then-Puritanical community.
The city’s past may be dark, but fast-forward several centuries and Salem transforms into a fun, freaky-kitsch vacation destination that attracts more than 500,000 curious tourists each year. Local commuter lines are filled with people dropping Rs and sucking down sugar-soaked Dunkin’ Donuts coffees, only now wearing witch hats or animal ears. Parking lots become places for couples to slip into capes or to reapply face paint before they step out into the dressed-up wild.
On the last weekend of October, I headed to Salem with photographer Chris Maggio to see the commotion. The Boston Red Sox were playing in the World Series (they won!) and a torrential Nor’easter (or “Nor’easta,” if you’re from these parts) was about to hit. These two weekend events meant crowds of Halloweengoers were lost in a fog of plastic ponchos, with a Sox hat here or there. On Saturday, Maggio and I met at the giant statue of Roger Conant, one of the first settlers of the area. Conant’s colonial-era contemporaries are alive and well, at least in the form of wide-brim-hat-wearing 17th-century period actors from the live play Cry Innocent. They swarm the streets and lure people to Old Town Hall, where they can view a private witch trial for $25. The show technically lasts for 45 minutes, but according to one actor, who told me in his Old English drawl, the length really depends on the severity of the cross-examination.
A few steps away, we found the Witch City Mall, a tiny shopping center on Essex Street. Inside, there are stands heaped with Salem-themed hoodies in every highlighter hue, an area with fold-out chairs designated for palm reading, a lone smoke shop named VapeLife, and a Polish bakery that smells like pierogies. It is also the home of the photo studio Witch Pix. The space is open year-round and lets customers dress up as witches, wizards, and warlocks to get their portraits taken in front of saturated sunsets and mystical forest backdrops. According to owner Hope Hitchcock, it is a “white glove” service, which means that the staff picks out the clothing and styles the patrons. Fun fact: The broomsticks are from the same supplier as the film Bewitched.
On Sunday, the rain stopped and people shed their ponchos. Costumes were on full display. Standouts included a woman with a painted mouth of fun house teeth that stretched from her lower lip to neck and a bald man who wore dainty devil’s horn nubs on his head. One person wore a very life-like mask of Bette Midler’s character from the 1993 blockbuster hit Hocus Pocus. That movie turns 25 this year and was partially shot in Salem. How cool is that? I’d say it’s wicked cool.
A gaping mouth by the Salem Wax Museum.
The dragon in the story represents strength, wisdom, and magic. It is portrayed as a majestic creature with the power to bring harmony and prosperity. Through their adventure, Jack and Annie develop a deep respect and admiration for the dragon, understanding its role in the culture and traditions of China. "Dragon of the Red Dawn" not only entertains its young readers with its exciting storyline but also educates them about Chinese history and culture. This book is a fascinating introduction to ancient China and its mythical creatures. Children are drawn into the enchanting world of dragons, while learning valuable lessons about teamwork and cultural diversity. Overall, the Magic Tree House book, "Dragon of the Red Dawn," takes readers on a captivating journey to ancient China where Jack and Annie encounter a dragon. The story encourages curiosity, imagination, and understanding of different cultures, making it a beloved adventure for young readers..
Reviews for "Learn the Ancient Art of Dragonology with the Magic Tree House"
1. Emily - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House Dragon." I found the storyline to be quite predictable and repetitive. The main characters, Annie and Jack, didn't develop much throughout the book, and their interactions felt forced and unnatural. Additionally, the dialogue was quite simplistic and lacked depth. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and unengaging.
2. Michael - 2/5
I couldn't bring myself to finish "Magic Tree House Dragon." The writing style seemed more suited for a younger audience, and the plot lacked any real excitement or intrigue. The descriptions were also quite sparse, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. I was also hoping for more information about the mythical dragon in the title, but it was barely mentioned in the portion that I read. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not enjoyable to read.
3. Sarah - 3/5
While "Magic Tree House Dragon" wasn't my favorite book, I can see how it would appeal to younger readers. The simple language and fast-paced plot could be engaging for children who are just starting to read chapter books. However, as an adult reader, I found the story to be lacking in depth and character development. The magical elements also felt a bit cliché and predictable. Despite these flaws, I believe the book has its merits for its intended audience.
4. Daniel - 2/5
I couldn't understand the hype surrounding "Magic Tree House Dragon." The plot felt rushed and disjointed, and the characters lacked depth and individuality. The book seemed to rely heavily on predictable plot devices and lacked originality. Additionally, I found the writing style to be quite simplistic and repetitive. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed with this book.
5. Melissa - 1/5
I found "Magic Tree House Dragon" to be a tedious and uninteresting read. The plot was incredibly predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. It seemed like the author was just going through the motions without adding any real substance to the story. The setting and descriptions were also quite generic, failing to transport me into a captivating world. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.