The Magic Key

Magic Key

by Roderick Hunt

The teaching notes for the Oxford Reading Tree Biff, Chip and Kipper books are full of practical suggestions for using the storybooks, saving you hours of preparation time. They have been updated in line with the simple view of reading and the renewed Primary Framework for Literacy. They now
include guidance for group/guided reading, comprehension and word recognition, and assessment. These replace the existing Teaching Notes and Guided Reading Cards.

The storybooks are unchanged, but notes for parents/carers and teaching assistants have been added to the inside covers. These notes replace the existing Take-Home Cards.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Adventure

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[[ J o ] · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Short and quick review from memory before I re-read and re-review at a later date:

Basically my whole childhood right here. I have plans, probably in a few years, to read every single of these books and re-live all the Biff, Chip and Kipper adventures.]

[Rumaisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

pure unparalleled literary prowess

[Ayeshajan Mufti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why didn’t Biff and Chip go on an adventure during the magic? Disappointing.

[Emkoshka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with my Turkish host family's children. This story reached new lows of lameness in the Oxford Reading Tree series. The children undergo the Borrowers experience, shrinking to mouse size and playing with a giant pencil and pin before trying to break into their dollhouse. They then cower from a mouse that's more afraid of them. They return to normal size and then have the audacity to call it an 'adventure'!

[Amina · Rating 5 out of 5]

too good

[Tooba Wahaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

My younger siblings used to get the entire set of these books at the beginning of every school year, from elementary up to Grade 4. I was older and went to a different school, so I never got to read them.
When I finally read the books for the first time, I became so invested in this story , the magic key, the house, and the kids going on random adventures.
Ever since then, at the start of every new academic year, I used to finish the entire set as soon as my parents bought it for my siblings.

✨These books are such a wholesome memory for me. I still remember being scolded by my parents for never touching my own textbooks, yet staying awake late to read children’s books. (Even now, instead of preparing for my ophthalmology exam, I’m writing a review for a children’s book.) I remember always searching for adventures, convincing my friends to join in my mischief, and creating countless chaotic memories.

Now that I look back, I think that’s when I first started loving books

[Nicola · Rating 1 out of 5]

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

This was a random selection. She didn't find it particularly appealing or interesting. I didn't either; the idea of shrinking and entering the dollhouse was cool but the text wasn't the best.

[Charlie Evered · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling use of language and imagery by hunt to grip the reader in to biffs clumbsy chaotic life. One simply cannot put this book down. Perchance is kipper not a dog but just a mere reflection of biffs personality. Perchance, 5stars

[Theo Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of a magical adventure in Oxford Reading Tree series.

[oluwayemisi lateef · Rating 5 out of 5]

TT

[Andrea Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 favourite book of all time would read over and over again

[Amy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I can remember reading. I think it will always keep a special place in my heart

[Seher]

the book is attractive for kids and interesting as well

[Mj]

idk

[Adan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Biff, Chip, Kipper and of course don't forget WILMAAAAA
Oh I love this series

[Sharjeel Haider Jaffri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am giving 3 stars because the story was not interesting. There are only 2 characters that's why the story is not interesting.

[DrosoPHila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably one of the better ones in the series, but to put that in context, the rest of them aren't very good.

[Ruqayyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were my childhood- I still have them, since I was four- all except one which mysteriously disappeared. But ahh I love them

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant for children learning how to read!
Great childhood memories of this series, as a very small child learning how to read.

[Ches · Rating 5 out of 5]

PEAK

[Muhammad Khan]

ggtt

[Melody Chikoti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my early childhood memories are in these books! When the key glowed I too got lost in the adventures of Kipper.

[Chanelle Ambersley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic Key is one of the books in the series 'The Magic Key'. It is a book that follows three children - Biff, Chip and Kipper; and their parents, grandmother and dog. Whilst I was growing up this story taught me to use my imagination in creating my own short stories. The fact that these stories are not real showed me how broad my creativity could really be.

As someone who has always enjoyed reading, I would have preferred if the stories were longer. But I do understand now that this may be a reason for most children's love of these stories; their ability to be interested and move on to another short story.

Most reviews have recommended these stories for ages 4 to 9; but I feel that it is not challenging enough for KS2 learners and would be better suited to develop the reading of KS1 children only.

I believe that these books are being used in the right way in most schools. They have been written in a way that engages a child and encourages them to develop their reading skills.

[Shima Uddin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderick Hunt is famously known for his storybooks of Biff and Chip. His books follow the lives of three children Biff, Chip and kipper as they experience many adventures caused by the magic key. There are many stages to the sequence of books, with the starting age from four to nine. These books are used to develop the understanding and reading of standard English. The illustrations in the books also hold great importance as from a reader’s perspective you get to use your imagination and feel as if you’re a part of the adventure which almost makes you believe that the magic key can actually exist in reality.

[Flan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Magic Key books in primary school from years 1-3 and these are the most memorable books of my time! I absolutely loved these when I was kid and I really want to get my hands on my own copy for nostalgia's sake.

We had a reading system in our school where you had to complete all the stages of The Magic Key until you could read books of your choice - and I distinctly remember becoming one of the first "free-readers" of my year! :D
I doubt they still use these books which is a shame really - they were so entertaining.

[Fameeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biff, Chip and Kipper books are by far the most memorable books from my primary school and i have to say my all time favourite has got to be the magic key!
It constitutes an adventure which really lets you use your imagination and it is great for children to use as a model for their own short stories as the adventure is imagined rather than real. Exciting and motivational book great for children learning to read.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, Roderick Hunt, what a vital part of my growing up you were.

I’m fairly certain it’s a British rite of passage to read a Roderick Hunt book. They are the books you have to read at school, the ones that will move you towards the entirety of the literary world.

And boy, were they ever fun!

It doesn’t matter how old I get, I’m still more than capable of recalling details from his stories.

They certainly left a lasting impression!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These and all the many books in the Magic Key series are absolutely brilliant adventure stories.
The illustrations are a feast for the eyes, packed with humour and emotion.

[Chihiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was young. I love ORT! That key will make some trouble. Biff, Chip and Kipper have a lot of adventure, these are very funny!

[Cristina]

It is fiction
It is about a magic key