Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark
Jack and Annie discover a treehouse full of books that whisks them back 65 million years to the age of dinosaurs, where they meet friendly creatures and take a thrilling ride on a Pteranodon. The only real scare is a brief T-rex chase near the end, and everyone makes it home safe and sound.
A wonderful read-aloud from about age 5 and a satisfying first solo chapter book for ages 6 and up.
Chapters to know about
A T-rex appears suddenly at the watering hole and chases Jack back to the treehouse; he briefly faces it alone before escaping safely.
A mother Anatosaurus charges at Annie with a roar when Annie picks a flower from near the nest; the animal calms once Annie backs away.
The T-rex scene is a great jumping-off point to talk about how Jack uses his book knowledge to stay calm under pressure, which makes it a fun moment to pause and discuss.