“Annie loved pretend stuff. But Jack was eight and a half. He liked real things.”

The author introduces the contrasting personalities of Jack and Annie in this quote. Jack’s preference for “real things” highlights his skepticism and realistic approach. He does not quite believe that they’ve their way to the Cretaceous Period, and he approaches the dinosaurs like a scientist. In contrast, Annie’s love of “pretend stuff” signals her openness to the imagination. She accepts their circumstances and that something magical has happened, even if she can’t explain it. This initial dichotomy sets up the siblings’ differing responses to the magical events they experience.

“‘That must be the highest tree house in the world,’ said Annie.”

Annie’s observation emphasizes the tree house as a symbol of awe and wonder, which contributes to the theme of Dreaming and Magic. By describing the tree house as the “highest” in the world, Osbourne imbues it with grandeur and a magical quality. This sense of scale is both physical and symbolic, reflecting the limitless possibilities and adventures it represents. Annie’s comment about its size contributes to the excitement of the tree house.

“He noticed bookmarks were sticking out of many of the books.”

Books are a recurring motif and a key part of the theme of Learning Through Exploring. The bookmarks protruding from the books demonstrate that each book holds a potential adventure.