This week, Joe sits down with legendary children’s author Mary Pope Osborne to celebrate the legacy of the Magic Tree House books and the generations of readers who grew up with Jack and Annie’s adventures. Together, they discuss the original spark that inspired the series, how the personalities of Jack and Annie developed over time and the early days of writing for young readers during the rise of early chapter books. Mary also shares behind-the-scenes stories about adapting the series into graphic novels, audiobooks, musicals, and animation, along with the process of designing some of the most recognizable covers in children’s literature. The conversation also explores Mary’s writing routine, the books that challenged her most creatively, the incredible memories she’s collected from readers over the years and what it means to see The Magic Tree House continue to connect with new generations of kids today. Filled with nostalgia, creativity, laughter, and heartfelt reflection, this episode is a celebration of storytelling, imagination, and one of the most beloved children’s series of all time. Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Link to our full book list: Find all the books mentioned in Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026)! Who’s in this episode:  Mary Pope Osborne – YouTube, Website, Instagram Time stamps: Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!  Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices