The Time Garden

Four siblings spend their summer vacation at their great-aunt's mysterious old house on the Massachusetts coast. After discovering a magical thyme garden in the backyard, they realize the herb allows them to travel through time. The children embark on multiple time-traveling adventures, visiting different periods in American history. Their journeys bring them face-to-face with historical figures and events, while they must navigate the complexities and potential consequences of interfering with the past. The group works together to solve problems both in the past and present, learning to be responsible with their newfound powers. Their bond as siblings grows stronger as they support each other through challenges and discoveries. This fourth installment in Eager's Tales of Magic series explores themes of family unity, the relationship between past and present, and the weight of choices. The story balances fantasy elements with historical details to create a tale that entertains while subtly educating young readers about American history.

Readers describe The Time Garden as a fun, imaginative entry in Edward Eager's Tales of Magic series. Many note it works well as a standalone story even for those unfamiliar with the other books. Readers appreciated: - The historical settings and time travel elements - References to other children's literature like The Secret Garden - The humor and witty dialogue between characters - How the magic thyme plant creates unique rules for time travel Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers felt the historical details overshadowed character development - Several mentioned confusion about the time travel mechanics Ratings: Goodreads: 4.18/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (120+ ratings) One reader noted: "The clever wordplay with 'thyme' vs 'time' adds an extra layer of fun." Another wrote: "Not quite as engaging as Half Magic, but still delightful for young readers who enjoy fantasy."

Half Magic by Edward Eager Four siblings discover a magical charm that grants wishes by halves, leading them through time-traveling adventures in different historical periods.

The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Weston Phillips A boy receives a toy castle with a working portcullis and a knight who comes to life, transporting him to a medieval world where he must complete a quest.

Magic by the Lake by Edward Eager Four children encounter a magical lake during summer vacation that sends them on adventures with mermaids, pirates, and desert islands.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander An assistant pig-keeper embarks on a journey through a fantasy realm based on Welsh mythology, encountering magical creatures and ancient prophecies.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs An orphaned boy moves to his uncle's house filled with magical objects and must find a clock hidden in the walls before it triggers the end of the world.

🌿 Edward Eager wrote The Time Garden as part of his Tales of Magic series while working as a playwright and lyricist for Broadway shows. 🕰️ The magical thyme garden in the book was inspired by the herb gardens at colonial Williamsburg, which Eager visited during his research. 🌺 The book cleverly connects to other stories in the series by having the children meet characters from "Knight's Castle" and "Magic by the Lake" during their time travels. 📚 Unlike many children's fantasy authors of his era, Eager openly acknowledged his debt to E. Nesbit's work, even having his characters reference her books within the story. 🏰 The children's adventures in The Time Garden include meeting Thomas Jefferson, witnessing the American Revolution, and experiencing the Civil War – making it both a fantasy and historical fiction novel.