Magic Tree House is a popular children's book series written by American author Mary Pope Osborne. The series revolves around the adventures of two siblings, Jack and Annie, who discover a magical tree house filled with books that can transport them to different time periods and places. In the ninth book of the series, titled "Dolphins at Daybreak," Jack and Annie are transported to the Caribbean islands during the 19th century. They arrive on a sandy beach and are soon approached by a friendly dog named Teddy. Together, they embark on a quest to find a special "M" thing to help Morgan, the mysterious owner of the magic tree house. During their journey, Jack and Annie encounter various challenges and obstacles, including a vicious shark and a fierce storm.

The curse of robert the doll 2022

Dolls utilized in the supernatural are not new, but have gained a renewed interest due to the story of Annabelle and the TV series “Chucky.” Their background stories vary, some claim to be true, but they always garner a response from viewers. While Annabelle is indeed a real doll that is blamed for some scary instances, the movies take it to a whole other level by creating sequels of completely fictional events and even changing her overall look. Chucky is probably the most famous doll, possessed by a fictional serial killer seeking a human host via voodoo antics.

Throughout several sequels and an upcoming second season on television, he has been included in a much larger mythology and involved other memorable characters including his female counterpart, Tiffany. There are many other examples of supernatural dolls or puppets that can be explored, but one that isn’t as well known is Robert the Doll.

Travel Channel and Discovery+ are delving into this history with their latest entry of “Shock Docs” entitled THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL. The lore is similar to others like him where supposed accidents or extreme cases of bad luck occurred after interactions with Robert. The documentary succeeds more when discussing the history of the Otto family, residents of Key West who owned the doll after bringing it to Florida from Germany. The doll stayed in the family and we get to indulge in rumors of how the doll came to be possessed.

What falters and takes away any credibility are the reenactment sequences. While these would be effective in a Hollywood production, these supposedly true stories rely on jump scares and outrageous events that only the heavily intoxicated would believe. Some of the people interviewed are referred to as victims of Robert without providing any evidence to support these theories.

This may be a fun, late-night viewing, but only to be enjoyed if not taken seriously.

SHOCK DOCS: THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL premiered Friday, September 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Travel Channel and is streaming on discovery+.

Jovy grew up loving all kinds of horror movies which is ironic because his parents hated them. CANDYMAN still scares the shit out of him and it doesn’t help that he lives in the Chicago suburbs. He loves venturing into lesser-known exploitation films of the 70s and being introduced to new movies. Along with movies, Jovy loves horror video-games and books, including comics. Some of his favorite franchises include SILENT HILL, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and the RESIDENT EVIL games.

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The Story Behind the World’s Most Terrifying Haunted Doll

Here is something that most people would agree is true about Robert the Doll: He’s terrifying.

Ostensibly a little boy in a sailor suit, his careworn face is only vaguely human. His nub of a nose looks like a pair of pinholes. He is covered in brown nicks, like scars. His eyes are beady and black. He wears a malevolent smirk. Clasped in his lap he’s holding his own toy, a dog with garish, popping eyes and a too-big tongue lolling crazily out of its mouth. Here are some other things that people also agree is true about Robert: That he’s haunted and that he has caused car accidents, broken bones, job loss, divorce and a cornucopia of other misfortunes.

Robert is now 117-years-old and lives at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, in a new display case which was recently donated by someone “who is a fan of Robert’s,” says Cori Convertito, curator of the museum. But the comfortable new digs—complete with humidity control and UV-filtering glass to preserve the artifact—do not seemed to have reformed Robert. The museum still gets regular reports of evils attributed to the doll.*

Before Robert came to the museum in 1994, he was the property of Robert Eugene Otto, an eccentric artist and member of a prominent Key West family. (Yes, the doll and the owner had the same name, but the boy answered to “Gene.”) Robert was a childhood birthday gift from Otto’s grandfather, who bought the doll during a trip to Germany. Otto’s relationship with the doll continued into adulthood.

The Steiff Company, which manufactured Robert, thinks he started life as part of a set of dolls fabricated for a window display of clowns or jesters. Courtesy Key West Art & Historical Society

“What people really remember is what they would probably term as an unhealthy relationship with the doll,” says Convertito. “He brought it everywhere, he talked about it in the first person as if he weren’t a doll, he was Robert. As in he is a live entity.”

After some digging, the museum traced Robert’s origins to the Steiff Company, the same toy maker that first manufactured a Teddy bear in honor of Theodore Roosevelt. Robert was most likely never intended to be sold as a toy—a Steiff historian told the museum that Robert was probably part of a set fabricated for a window display of clowns or jesters.

“Which is kind of adorable,” says Convertito, “Especially with his impish behavior it kind of suits his personality really well.” Robert’s little sailor suit was not supplied by the company; it was probably an outfit that Otto himself wore as a child.

According to legend, young Otto began to blame mishaps on the doll. While this could have been laughed off as childish storytelling, adults also started noticing odd occurrences, especially as Otto and Robert grew older. As an adult, Otto lived in a stately home he called “The Artist House,” where Robert could be seen positioned at the upstairs window. Schoolchildren swore that he would appear and reappear, and they avoided the house. Myrtle Reuter purchased the Artist House after Otto’s death in 1974, and also became Robert’s new caretaker. Visitors swore they heard footsteps in the attic and giggling. Some claimed Robert’s expression changed when anyone badmouthed Otto in his presence. Rueter said Robert would move around the house on his own, and after twenty years of antics, she donated him to the museum.

Robert’s sailor suit is not original to the doll. It may have first belonged to one of his former owners, Robert Eugene Otto. Courtesy Key West Art & Historical Society

But far from banishing Robert to obscurity, his arrival at the museum marked a turning point for the doll.Since Robert arrived, visitors have flocked to the museum to get a look at the mischievous toy. He has appeared on TV shows, he has had his aura photographed, he is a stop on a ghost tour, and he’s inspired a horror movie. He has a Wikipedia entry and social media accounts. Fans can buy Robert replicas, books, coasters and t-shirts, and the most adventurous can even volunteer to be locked in with Robert after dark.*

And they can—and do—write to him. “He gets probably one to three letters every day,” says Convertito. But they aren’t typical fan letters; they’re often apologies. Many visitors attribute post-visit misfortunes to failing to respect Robert (or even openly disrespecting him) and they write begging forgiveness. Others ask him for advice, or to hex those who have wronged them. Convertito says they have received more than a thousand letters, which they keep and catalog.

Robert also receives emails and homages. At some point, it became known that Robert had a sweet tooth so people leave and send him candy. Once he received a box containing eight bags of peppermints, a card, and no return address. (Exercising caution, the museum staff does not consume treats sent to Robert.) Guests leave him sweets, money and, occasionally, joints. “It’s completely inappropriate,” says Convertito. “We are still a museum.”

Convertito is Robert’s caretaker—once a year she administers a check-up, taking him out of the case and weighing him to assess whether the humid Florida weather has adversely affected his straw-filled body. She is also his proxy, receiving and reading all his emails and letters and running his social media feeds.

The Fort East Martello Museum in Key West has been Robert’s home since 1994. Courtesy Key West Art & Historical Society

Several years ago she photoshopped Robert’s knobby face onto the now-famous picture of Kim Kardashian popping a bottle of champagne into a glass balanced on her behind. It was in order to attract attention to a campaign that would score the museum a grant if they garnered enough votes. Through the combined forces of Kardashian’s and Robert’s celebrity and the doll’s social media reach—he has almost 9,000 Facebook likes—the museum won by a “landslide.”

Occasionally, Convertito corresponds on Robert’s behalf. She tries to send something to every child who writes him (“Gene always had that childlike temperament around him and we feel like Robert would want to be kind to children.”) and she has also responded to more poignant ones, such as an email from a girl who was being bullied at school.

So, does Convertito think Robert is haunted?

“I don’t know. I really don’t,” she says. “I’ve never had a bad experience with him. I’ve never felt uncomfortable. It’s always been a very basic relationship and I have a job to do and I go and do it. And whether there’s something to it or not, he just allows me to get on with my job.”

* A version of this story originally appeared on October 26, 2016. It was updated in October 2021 with the latest news on Robert the Doll.

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Dive into Iman Joy El Shami-Mader's collection of disembodied limbs, chimerical monstrosities, and unicorn cats.

The Curse of Robert the Doll

Considered the most haunted doll in the world, Robert the Doll lives behind glass in a museum in Key West, Florida, where every year thousands of visitors who fail to follow his rules find themselves cursed. Victims have experienced illness, injury, accidents and even death. But what makes Robert curse his victims? What evil entity lives inside this doll? This latest Shock Docs installment explores the true origin of Robert the Doll, uncovers the story of Robert's first owners in 1905, and seeks to find out why this doll is so nefarious.The Curse of Robert the Doll featuring Quinn Aune and Jenna Sue Berry is streaming with subscription on MAX, and streaming with subscription on Discovery+. It's a documentary and horror movie.

During their journey, Jack and Annie encounter various challenges and obstacles, including a vicious shark and a fierce storm. However, their determination and resourcefulness allow them to overcome these obstacles and continue their search. Along the way, they also learn about the importance of teamwork, bravery, and protecting the environment.

Where to WatchThe Curse of Robert the DollNow

The book introduces young readers to the fascinating world of dolphins and the marine ecosystem. As Jack and Annie explore the underwater world, they witness the beauty and intelligence of dolphins, as well as the threats they face from humans. Through their experiences, readers learn about the importance of conservation and the need to protect these incredible creatures. "Dolphins at Daybreak" is an engaging and educational adventure that captivates children through its exciting story and relatable characters. It encourages young readers to use their imagination, explore different time periods, and appreciate the wonders of the natural world. The book successfully combines elements of fantasy, history, and science, making it a beloved choice among children and educators alike. Overall, "Magic Tree House #9: Dolphins at Daybreak" is a wonderful addition to the series, captivating young minds and fostering a love for reading, history, and the environment. With its relatable characters, thrilling adventures, and educational content, it continues to inspire and delight readers of all ages..

Reviews for "Discover Ancient Civilizations in Magic Tree House 9"

1. Jennifer - 1 star

I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 9". The story felt rushed and the characters lacked depth. It almost seemed as if the author was trying to meet a deadline and didn't put much thought into the plot. The dialogue was dull and unrealistic, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. Overall, I found it to be a boring and forgettable read.

2. Alex - 2 stars

I had high expectations for "Magic Tree House 9" based on the previous books in the series, but this one fell short. The writing style seemed juvenile and simplistic, which made it difficult for me to engage with the story. Additionally, the plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear focus. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a captivating adventure.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I found "Magic Tree House 9" to be a bit repetitive and predictable. The formulaic structure of the story became tiresome after a few chapters. It felt like the author was recycling ideas from previous books in the series without adding anything new or fresh. I also didn't feel a strong connection to the characters, as they seemed one-dimensional and lacked depth. It was overall a mediocre read that failed to capture my attention.

4. Mark - 1 star

I couldn't get into "Magic Tree House 9" at all. The pacing was incredibly slow and the plot was confusing. The author introduced too many unnecessary subplots and it became difficult to keep track of what was happening. I also found the dialogue to be unrealistic and filled with clichés. I was hoping for a thrilling adventure, but instead, I got a dull and convoluted story. Definitely not my cup of tea.

5. Emma - 2 stars

I found "Magic Tree House 9" to be lacking in originality and creativity. The storyline felt recycled and didn't offer anything new or exciting. I've read previous books in the series and this one felt like a weak addition. The pacing was slow and it took a long time for the story to get interesting, but even then, it wasn't enough to hold my attention. I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and imaginative read.

Embark on a Whirlwind Adventure with Magic Tree House 9