Mary Pope Osborne

Mary Pope Osborne, born in 1949, is a prolific American author renowned for her Magic Tree House series, which has achieved massive global sales. Her early life was marked by frequent moves due to her military family's postings, leading her to live in various locations including Austria. This nomadic childhood, she has stated, fostered a sense of adaptability rather than distress.

After studying drama and then comparative religion at the University of North Carolina, Osborne embarked on extensive travels through Asia, an experience that profoundly shaped her perspective and imagination. Upon settling in New York City, she pursued a diverse range of jobs before embarking on her writing career. Her first book was published in 1982, and she has since authored numerous children's and young adult books, with the Magic Tree House series beginning in 1992 and becoming her most significant contribution to literature.

Mary Pope Osborne's childhood was characterized by frequent relocations due to her father's military service, leading her to reside in places such as Salzburg, Austria, and various parts of the United States. She found stability not in staying put, but in the act of moving. Following her college education, where she initially studied drama before shifting to comparative religions, Osborne undertook a significant journey through Asia. This extensive travel, which included visiting countries like India, Nepal, and Afghanistan, profoundly influenced her worldview and creative output. During her travels, she experienced a serious illness that led to hospitalization, where she read 'The Lord of the Rings.' Osborne has described this journey as irrevocably changing her, providing a wellspring of inspiration for her writing.

Osborne began her writing career in 1982 with a semi-autobiographical novel. She has since penned over 60 books for children and young adults, spanning various genres. Her work has garnered numerous accolades and appeared on prestigious 'Best Books' lists. The Magic Tree House series, launched in 1992, has become her most famous creation, selling over 134 million copies worldwide. The series was inspired by her experiences working with teenagers and observing their engagement with stories set in exotic locales. The books are noted for their engaging narrative structure, often ending chapters with cliffhangers, and their educational value in sparking interest in history and vocabulary development.

Beyond her prolific writing, Mary Pope Osborne has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting children's literacy. She has served as president of the Authors Guild and chaired its Children's Book Committee. Osborne actively engages with young readers by visiting schools and speaking about the importance of books. She has also channeled proceeds from adaptations, such as the Magic Tree House anime film, into her educational initiatives. In 2012, she established the Magic Tree House Classroom Adventures Program, which offers free online educational resources for teachers and provides books to underserved schools in partnership with organizations like First Book. This program aims to foster a love of reading and help children achieve grade-level reading proficiency.

“Moving was never traumatic for me, but staying in one place was.”

“That journey irrevocably changed me. The experience was gathered that serves as a reference point every day of my life. I encountered worlds of light and worlds of darkness--and planted seeds of the imagination that led directly to my being an author of Adult's books.”

“Without even leaving my home, I’ve traveled around the globe, learning about the religions of the world.”

“The girl was a lot like me and many of the incidents in the story were similar to happenings in my childhood.”

“for a child to value someone who writes books is so extraordinary.”