15 Books in 1: L. Frank Baum's Original "Oz" Series. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, The Road to Oz, The Emerald City of Oz, The Patchwork Girl Of Oz, Little Wizard Stories of Oz, Tik-Tok of Oz, The Scarecrow Of Oz, Rinkitink In Oz, The Lost Princess Of Oz, The Tin Woodman Of Oz, The Magic of Oz, and Glinda Of Oz.

Average customer rating:

Classic Stories revisited

difficult to read

all the books none of the pictures

Look For Border's Edition

The books of OZ
15 Books in 1: L. Frank Baum's Original "Oz" Series. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, The Road to Oz, The Emerald City of Oz, The Patchwork Girl Of Oz, Little Wizard Stories of Oz, Tik-Tok of Oz, The Scarecrow Of Oz, Rinkitink In Oz, The Lost Princess Of Oz, The Tin Woodman Of Oz, The Magic of Oz, and Glinda Of Oz.
L, Frank Baum
Manufacturer: Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Oz | Fantasy & Adventure | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Baum, L. Frank | ( B ) | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Ozma of Oz (Books of Wonder)

Return to Oz

ASIN: 0954840135

Book Description

This unique '15 books in 1' edition of L. Frank Baum's original "Oz" series contains the following complete works: "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", "The Marvelous Land of Oz", "Ozma of Oz", "Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz", "The Road to Oz", "The Emerald City of Oz", "The Patchwork Girl Of Oz", "Little Wizard Stories of Oz", "Tik-Tok of Oz", "The Scarecrow Of Oz", "Rinkitink In Oz", "The Lost Princess Of Oz", "The Tin Woodman Of Oz", "The Magic of Oz", and "Glinda Of Oz". For over a hundred years, L. Frank Baum's classic fairy stories about the land of Oz have been delighting children and parents alike. Now, for the first time, the entire Oz series is available in this single, great-value, edition!

Customer Reviews:

Classic Stories revisited.......2007-10-10

Frank Baum is a classic writer that had a beautiful writing style that children should revisit that Grandparents enjoyed. These stories should be available in every library in our country as classic tales. My daughter is reading more and her imagination is in full bloom with this collection of books. The publisher and person responsible for puting this collection together should be applauded!

difficult to read.......2007-08-13

This book is condensed, I mean two pages printed on one page so the lettering is very small and none of the original art work is included. I did not realize when I bought it that the letters would be small. I also thought the original art work would be included. It's not bad if you want to read it with a magnifying glass.

all the books none of the pictures.......2007-06-25

I was wondering how they could fit all 15 oz books into 1 volume. the answer is by having no illustrations, two columns per page, and very small print. I felt like I was reading a text book more than a childrens set of books. it still works for a bedtime story for my son (though he really wants pictures), but for something to keep my son occupied while we ride on the bus it's a bit big to tote around. the story's are as I expected, designed for kids with no really scary parts and super simple plots; dull for a grown up but good for younger kids.

Look For Border's Edition.......2007-04-25

I give this book 5 stars because it is "OZ". I purchased something similar, but much much better from Border's , two years ago. Available from Amazon, look for 'The OZ Chronicles'. Volume 1 and Volume 2 contain all of Baum's Oz books. Green Leather Hardcovers, great size print. Volume 3 contains Baum's other books and stories. Incredible find and value.

The books of OZ.......2007-02-07

Great to have all of the stories included in one book. I don't need to worry about finding all the books to read. Great buy!

Wizard of Oz, Marvelous Land, Ozma, Dorothy, Road, Emerald City, Patchwork Girl, Tik-Tok, Scarecrow, Rinkitink, Lost Princess, Tin Woodman, Magic, Glinda, Little Wizard Stories

Average customer rating:

What a book!
Stories Great, Edition Not
A very dated children's fantasy
An Magnificient Compilation
I've never read anything so bad!

Wizard of Oz, Marvelous Land, Ozma, Dorothy, Road, Emerald City, Patchwork Girl, Tik-Tok, Scarecrow, Rinkitink, Lost Princess, Tin Woodman, Magic, Glinda, Little Wizard Stories
L. Frank Baum
Manufacturer: Kahley House Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0978891422

Book Description

Although most children today are introduced to the world of Oz through the classic 1939 movie, L. Frank Baum has been captivating the hearts of the young, and not so young, for over a hundred years. This delightful compilation includes all fifteen books written by L. Frank Baum: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, The Road to Oz, The Emerald City of Oz, The Patchwork Girl Of Oz, Little Wizard Stories of Oz, Tik-Tok of Oz, The Scarecrow Of Oz, Rinkitink In Oz, The Lost Princess Of Oz, The Tin Woodman Of Oz, The Magic of Oz, and Glinda Of Oz. Perhaps there is no better, or fitting, introduction one could give to this compilation than the author's note that Baum himself writes in his very first book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Here he reveals the true intention of his work. Folklore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal. The winged fairies of Grimm and Andersen have brought more happiness to childish hearts than all other human creations. Yet the old time fairy tale, having served for generations, may now be classed as "historical" in the children's library; for the time has come for a series of newer "wonder tales" in which the stereotyped genie, dwarf and fairy are eliminated, together with all the horrible and blood-curdling incidents devised by their authors to point a fearsome moral to each tale. Modern education includes morality; therefore the modern child seeks only entertainment in its wonder tales and gladly dispenses with all disagreeable incident. Having this thought in mind, the story of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written solely to please children of today. It aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out.

Customer Reviews:

What a book!.......2007-05-07

For those who love the Wizard of Oz there's nothing quite like having the complete set of related stories. My kids and I are reading and re-reading, carry the book with us on vacations and keep it on the bedside table at home. Wonderful gift for children (and adults) of all ages!

Stories Great, Edition Not.......2007-04-13

I honestly cannot understand giving any Oz story a rating of one because of the content. These stories are classic. I AM giving this edition a one, though, because this is probably the poorest excuse for a book that I have ever seen.

My first and biggest issue with this edition is the fact that the editor/publisher chose not to have paragraph breaks. Each chapter is a paragraph. It's terrible. Next, as these pages are large (almost as big as a typical textbook), you would expect columns to be used. Not the case. It's just one long line after one long line on the pages. The publisher did not even choose to put the next chapter on a fresh page, merely spacing once and beginning anew. It's extremely frustrating.

The next thing that finally make me close the book was the abundance of errors in the text. I honestly do not think this is L. Frank Baum's fault. I feel these errors are there because the editor and publishers were so intent on putting this on the market that they overlooked important things. Mostly, I am referring to technical and mechanical errors, but a few sentences don't even make sense. And, the thing I just REALLY couldn't get over was the fact that all of the chapter titles are in capital letters, and then randomly there was a title with lowercase letters! Such inattention to a book is unacceptable to me. I AM returning this book and getting a nicer edition!

By the way, I did try to contact the publishing company about this, but its Web site is not properly functioning.

A very dated children's fantasy.......2007-04-08

Nowadays, with the popularity of Harry Potter, there has been something of a re-examination of children's literature, in particular, the idea that it can't also be enjoyable for adults to read. Even older works, such as The Chronicles of Narnia have been reappreciated. It was along these lines that I decided to read L. Frank Baum's Oz books, figuring that, if nothing else, they would be a quick read. In addition, I felt I would get a better understanding of Gregory Maguire's Oz books (Wicked and Son of a Witch), which are much more based on Baum than any movie. After reading all fifteen "books" that comprise The Complete Oz, I have to say, I'm a little disappointed.

Like most people, my exposure to Baum's works was limited to the fantastic adaptation of his first Oz book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, featuring Judy Garland. The cinematic adaptation only loosely follows the story, and there are many things that do not appear in the movie. Most importantly, while the movie pretty much explains the whole adventure as a dream, the book makes the land of Oz quite real; subsequent stories has Dorothy shifting back-and-forth from Kansas to Oz until several books in when she moves there permanently with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry (and Toto).

Although the characters change from story to story, the main characters are Dorothy and Ozma, the ruler of Oz. There are a number of other recurring characters, including the familiar Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Wizard and Glinda the Good Witch, along with others like Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead and the Shaggy Man. Each story typically has the characters exploring a new and strange land where they must solve some problem. Occasionally, the Emerald City of Oz is threatened by invaders, who are typically repulsed with great ease. Only the Nome King appears as an enemy in several books.

The problem with the Oz books is that, as imaginative as they are, they are not all that well-written. I realize I am applying an adult reader's scrutiny to stories designed for pre-teens, but I think only the youngest of readers would not see through Baum's plot holes and last-minute rescues. A standard Oz story would have certain characters in dire straits only to be rescued by Glinda or Ozma, who happen to be watching everything through a magic mirror. Everything is perfect in Oz...too perfect to create anything but the weakest form of danger. And I think even most young readers nowadays would find Baum's sugary language too cloying to be palatable. I suppose one hundred years ago, this may have fit with contemporary tastes, but there is just a lot out there that's better nowadays.

The Complete Oz is over 700 pages, but each page contains at least twice as much text as the page in a normal book. What the volume contains are only the fifteen stories: no illustrations or background material accompanies the text, which means that this massive volume is unlikely to even appeal to the only readers who might be able to enjoy it. Under some circumstances, I might even give this book two stars; I know, however, that I am not truly the target audience, so I am giving it an extra star to make up for that. Nonetheless, even if you feel that these might be good stories for children you know (and it is certainly G-rated stuff), you are better off buying these stories in a more kid-friendly format.

An Magnificient Compilation.......2007-02-14

I have been searching for a volume that contains all of the Oz stories, and this one is the "keeper". The editor did a great job with his type setting, making the stories more clear, and overall presentation of these classics. It's a great value at an honest price. I continue to recommend it to my friends and family.

I've never read anything so bad!.......2007-02-06

The stories in this book, and most everything I've been forced to read from this author, are extremely bad. They are the most shallow stories Ive ever read! There is no character depth, the landscapes are ill defined and unbelievable, the stories are so repetative there's no point in reading more than one (and why would you want to anyway!) and the story is so underdeveloped that the characters simply state what they are doing and thinking all the time! Besides that, the wonderful imagination I was lead to believe is displayed in these books is missing, as 9/10 of his characters are characters obviously based on the works of other great fiction/fantasy writers and myths/legends of various regions. The only things moderately inventive are the mechanical men, a fascination he takes too far in having at least one such character in all his books!

The Tin Woodman of Oz: A Faithful Story of the Astonishing Adventure Undertaken by the Tin Woodman, Assisted by Woot the Wanderer, the Scarecrow of Oz, and Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter

Average customer rating:

Two...count 'em Two...Tin Men!
The Tin Woodman of Oz: A Faithful Story of the Astonishing Adventure Undertaken by the Tin Woodman, Assisted by Woot the Wandere
A so-so Ozian effort
A wonderful adventure featuring 2 of the original characters
An Oz classic

The Tin Woodman of Oz: A Faithful Story of the Astonishing Adventure Undertaken by the Tin Woodman, Assisted by Woot the Wanderer, the Scarecrow of Oz, and Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter
L. Frank Baum
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0688149766

Book Description

Join the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow as they journey across the fantastic magical Land of Oz in search of the Tin Woodman's long-lost sweetheart. In a series of adventures sure to thrill Oz fans both old and new, these beloved friends face such challenges as a selfish giantess and a group of quarrelsome dragons--all to fulfill a promise made long ago to a beautiful Munchkin girl.

The Tin Woodman sits on the glittering tin throne of his splendid tin castle, ruling the Winkle Country of the Land of Oz with the help of his best friend, the Scarecrow. All is peaceful and well, but when a young wanderer named Woot asks the Tin Woodman how he came to be made of tin, the emperor recalls his days as a flesh-and-blood woodchopper and his love for Nimmie Amee, a Munchkin girl so fair that the sunsets blushed when they fell upon her.

The three quickly decide to set out on a daring quest to reunite the Tin Woodman with his lost love and ask Nimmie Amee to be Empress of the Winkie Country. During their travels, they battle dragons and loons, a mighty sorceress, and an all-too-hungry beast called the Hippo-gy-raf. Luckily, they are joined in their search by their old friend Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter, and are aided by Dorothy and Princess Ozma--the powerful fairy ruler of the Land of Oz. But just when they think their troubles are over and their quest is complete, they discover a surprise that leaves all of them truly astounded!

This deluxe edition of the rare first edition features all twelve of Oz artist John R. Neill's beautiful color plates, along with his nearly one hundred black-and-white drawings, making this a book sure to be treasured for years to come.

In a series of adventures sure to thrill OZ fans both old and new, the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow journey across the magical Land of Oz in search of the Tin Woodman's long-lost sweetheart, a beautiful Munchkin girl. This deluxe edition of the rare first edition features all twelve of Oz artist John R. Neill's beautiful color plates, along with his nearly one hundred black and white drawings, and is a great way to celebrate the upcoming centenary of Oz!

Customer Reviews:

Two...count 'em Two...Tin Men!.......2006-06-19

This book, for some reason, was one of the hardest for me to lay my hands on as a child. As an avid Oz, this was pure torture. I had always loved the Tin Woodman, so I was desperate to read a book dedicated to him. Finally, on my 11th birthday, I was given the book by a friend of mine...and, after all the anticipation, I am happy to report that the story did not disappoint. I was immediately captivated by the cover of the book, for--what was this--TWO tin men? That was all the encouragement I needed to immediately abandon reality and plunge into this book. Well, after reading this tale again as an adult, The Tin Woodman of Oz stands up as one of Baum's best. In a somewhat rare turn for the author, he gazes back upon a past book of Oz to explore the history of one of his all-time favorite characters--and he does his usual marvelous job. My favorite scene is the adventure with the giantess, Yoop, but this adventure really starts to thump like the heart of our favorite tin man when our heroes meet none other than the Tin Soldier. This is probably the darkest of all of the Oz books; after all, Baum describes the building of a man from the discarded parts of another! But it's always Baum's charming style that wins over and, somehow, he can handle what seems to be a macabre subject matter in a delightful fashion. As a boy, it was a great pleasure to read a book that starred an all male trio (very unusual for Baum) and I'm sure this contributed to making this Oz adventure one of my favorites of the series.

The Tin Woodman of Oz: A Faithful Story of the Astonishing Adventure Undertaken by the Tin Woodman, Assisted by Woot the Wandere.......2005-08-29

The Tin Woodman of Oz: A Faithful Story of the Astonishing Adventure Undertaken by the Tin Woodman, Assisted by Woot the Wanderer, the Scarecrow of Oz, and Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter by L. Frank Baum is the 12th book in the series and tells the story of when the Tin woodman searches for his lost love Nimmie Amee. In this marvelous tale we get to meet all our favorite charachters from the previous tales like Ozma, Dorothy and get to meet some new and not all together pleasent folks like Mrs Joop and the nice Woot, the pig professor. The story line is not the best developed of the oz books but I still loved it and I think that Baum has created a series on par with the lord of rings and the narnia stories.

A so-so Ozian effort.......2004-03-04

Following "The Lost Princess of Oz," one of the best Oz books by L. Frank Baum (in my opinion) was not an easy task, and "The Tin Woodsman of Oz" didn't quite measure up. When a child called Woot the Wanderer (a bizarre mixture of Button-Bright and Ojo the unlucky) meets up with the Tin Woodsman and Scarecrow, the Woodsman gets to thinking about Nimee Amee, the Munchkin girl he was engaged to ages ago before the Wicked Witch enchanted his axe, resulting in the mishaps that led to him being tin. Realizing he's still technically engaged to her, he, the Scarecrow and Woot set off to find Nimee Amee and make her Empress of the Winkies (the Tin Woodsman himself being Emperor).

The big problem with this book is that it doesn't really add enough to the Oz mythos. While certainly the universe didn't really change or evolve much from book to book, most of the better titles either told a really amusing story or added new and interesting characters. The only new characters we really meet this time out are Woot, who is just like most of Baum's child characters, and the Nick Chopper-clone Tin Soldier. The story itself isn't really that engaging either, save for a welcome addition of Polychrome and a side-plot where the characters are transformed into animals. That plot is resolved quickly and easily, though, as are a lot of the vignettes in this book -- encounters with dragons, a jaguar and a straw-eating monster in an invisible country all end quickly without particularly progressing the story or doing anything but adding a few chapters.

It's not a terrible Oz book, but ultimately, it's rather forgettable. Baum did much better in his time.

A wonderful adventure featuring 2 of the original characters.......2003-02-15

This book has a little bit of everything for Oz fans. It focuses on two of the original characters from The Wizard of Oz (the Tin Man and the Scarecrow), introduces two wonderful new characters (Woot the Wanderer and the Tin Soldier) and reintroduces us to the lovely fairy Polychrome. And even though Dorothy and Ozma don't feature in this book, they do appear in the middle to help the heroes out of trouble. As typical of Baum, this book features a quest, as the Tin Man decides that he must marry the Munchkin girl that he left behind when he became rusted in the forest and eventually rescued by Dorothy and the Scarecrow. And while there is no villain chasing the travelers throughout the story, there is Mrs. Yoop the Giantess who captures them at one point and of course the land of Oz itself which throws them several curveballs, like making them invisible for a stretch.

Because there is no one villain this book doesn't remain as focused as many of Baum's books do, but that is part of its charm. We lazily get to explore the wonders of Oz along with our heroes, enjoying several amazing encounters and slowly learning the true history behind Nick Chopper's transformation from meat person to tin man. Because the plot and therefore the entire tone of this book are so casual, Baum makes it easy to become comfortable with the situations and the characters. Baum once again proves why his Oz books rank right up there with the best of the young adult fantasy books being published today. The Tin Woodman of Oz belongs right up there on your bookshelf with the Harry Potter books and King Fortis the Brave, all wonderful examples of how excellent children's literature can be.

An Oz classic.......2000-08-15

Like all of L. Frank Baum's Oz books, "The Tin Woodman of Oz" has an effortless sense of memorability about it which not all Oz authors have been able to attain. It raises more interesting philosophical problems about identity and the nature of love than do most of the Oz books, and is, like most of Baum's writing, gently humorous and optimistic about the world and human nature. Some of the plot twists in the latter part of the book, which concern the repercussions of Nick Chopper's transformation into a Tin Woodman, may be disturbing for some young readers; but the questions these events raise are fascinating and could lead children into interesting discussions with their parents about what makes a person himself. Books of Wonder's beautiful edition includes all of John R. Neill's illustrations, including the endpapers and the color plates; this is the only one of the "Famous Forty" Oz books to include illustrations of the Wicked Witch of the East, of the Tin Woodman's long-lost love Nimmie Amee, and of the Tin Woodman himself as he appeared when he was a normal "meat" man. All of Baum's books are children's classics, and "The Tin Woodman of Oz" is no exception.

Average customer rating:

"When the children have had enough of them, I hope they will let me know"
A bit more stuffing, please...
A lotta fun!
The Scarecrow of Oz (Books of Wonder) by L. Frank Baum
A "Scarecrow" book light on the "Scarecrow"

The Scarecrow of Oz (Books of Wonder)
L. Frank Baum
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0688147194

Book Description

Come along on a magical journey to Oz with a whole new group of intrepid adventurers.

Trot, a young girl from California, and her peg-legged sailor friend, Cap'n Bill, find themselves on a perilous and exciting voyage when a whirlpool leaves them stranded in an underwater cave. There they are befriended by a most curious creature--the Ork. With four paddle-like wings, legs like a stork's, a parrot's head, and a tail like a propeller, the Ork proves to be a very welcome and helpful companion.

After escaping the cave, the three friends make their way to the magical Land of Mo, where it snows popcorn and rains lemonade. Here they find Button-Bright--lost once again and eager to join in their adventures.

Together, the four travel across the deadly desert and into the Land of Oz, only to find themselves in new troubles with the scowling King Krewl and Blinkie, a wicked witch. But when everything seems its worst, who should come to their rescue but the Scarecrow of Oz himself! Thanks to the Scarecrow's wondrous brains, our friends just might have a chance to prevail against their heartless enermes.

With twelve glowing color plates and over one hundred black-and-white drawings by Oz artist John R. Neill, this beautiful reproduction of the rare 1915 first edition is sure to be a welcome addition to every family's library.

Afterword by Peter Glassman. Join young Trot and her peg-legged sailor friend, Cap'n Bill, as they are swept off the high seas and into enchanted realms of excitement and adventure. When Cap'n Bill is transformed into a grasshopper by the wicked witch Blinkie, it's up to Scarecrow to save the day. A Books of Wonder Classic.

Download Description

Cap'n Bill and Trot rode very comfortably in the sunbonnet. The motion was quite steady, for they weighed so little that the Ork flew without effort. Yet they were both somewhat nervous about their future fate and could not help wishing they were safe on land and their natural size again.

Customer Reviews:

"When the children have had enough of them, I hope they will let me know".......2007-03-28

The Scarecrow of Oz is the ninth in the series and the only one which I did not pay much attention to as a child. It may justly claim to be one of the best structured of the Oz books, but the combination of characters and locations simply did not do much to capture my imagination back then. I liked Trot and Cap'n Bill, but I did not really like them as much as some of the other possible main characters.

As an adult I found that I admired the book much more-- even if the Scarecrow does not appear until much later, it is always good to see Button Bright back. The plot is also well-developed and Trot shows a side of her nature that fades later in the series when Baum sets her next to Dorothy and Ozma.

In short, a worthy entry into the Oz canon, if not a natural favorite.

A bit more stuffing, please..........2006-06-20

When I was a young Oz zealot, this was one of the books that I found the most disappointing--only because my beloved Scarecrow was not in the book enough for my taste. After all, the title promises that this book will be all about the Scarecrow--but it's not (unlike "The Tin Woodman of Oz," which is completely focused on the title character). Alas, our stuffed man only comes in towards the end of this book to save the day. Of course, as usual with any story written by Baum, there is plenty to recommend this tale. I particularly enjoyed the return of a wicked witch to the series (in the form of Blinkie) and John R. Neill's illustrations are excellent and, as is so often the case with the Oz books, really contribute to the story. I just wish we had a bit more of our Scarecrow in this one!

A lotta fun!.......2006-03-18

SURE, the Scarecrow doesn't actually show up until the middle of the book, but it's all just a lot of fun. I'm working my way through all the Oz books and I really enjoyed this one.

The Scarecrow of Oz (Books of Wonder) by L. Frank Baum.......2005-08-23

The Scarecrow of Oz (Books of Wonder) by L. Frank Baum being the 9th in the oz series tells the marvelous adventure of Trott, her friend Captain Bill and the mysterious and friendly Ork and their escapades in the land of Mo, Oz and other strange and marvelous worlds. One more we me our beloved friends from the older books such as Scarecrow of oz, Ozma and Dorothy. I would love to have read more about Dorothy and the older cast but perhaps we get to do this in later books in the series. As always, splendid discriptors, wondefull chrachters, and marvelous story telling from a true genius.

A "Scarecrow" book light on the "Scarecrow".......2003-11-27

In the pantheon of L. Frank Baum's brillian Oz series, I'm afraid I've got to mark this book down as just a so-so entry. It probably would have appealed to me more were it not for the grossly misleading title, "The Scarecrow of Oz." The titular character doesn't appear until about page 150 of a 260-page book, for starters, and while he certainly plays an important part in the events that follow, the book is not really about him at all. Instead it's the story of Trot and Cap'n Bill, two of Baum's non-Oz characters, being swept away to the land of Oz for the first time. For much of the book the story follows the formula of the most lackluster Oz books -- characters get lost in a magical fairy land and meet lots of strange and interesting creatures -- but it picks up when they enter Jinxland and are forced to face down King Krewl.

Book Description

The Scarecrow decides to search for his family tree and winds up discovering that he is the long-lost Emperor of the Silver Island. Along the way, he meets such colorful characters as the A-B-Sea Serpent, the lumpy mud men, Sir Hokus of Pokes, and others. Includes whimsical illustrations by John R. Neill.

Download Description

The moon shone brightly, but everyone in the Emerald City was fast asleep! Through the deserted streets hurried the Scarecrow. For the first time since his discovery by little Dorothy, he was really unhappy. Living as he did in a Fairyland, he had taken many things for granted and had rather prided himself on his unusual appearance.

Customer Reviews:

Thompson's first Oz effort.......2003-02-01

This book is Ruth Plumly Thompson's first foray into Oz writing (and it is entirely hers, despite the publishers' initial story that she had written it based on notes left by L. Frank Baum), and it is hardly her best work, but it isn't her worst, either. She does a good job working with Baum's characters, and the premise of the book is an attempt to solve one of the greatest mysteries left behind by Baum: why the Scarecrow is alive. I know some people have been dissatisfied with the explanation, but I have no problem with it. A weak point to this book is that it isn't especially tightly plotted, with some moments where the action stops for no reason.

Thompson seemed to want to make Oz more multicultural than Baum left it, and, to this end, she used this book to introduce an Arthurian knight and an Oriental kingdom. While this is admirable in a way, Thompson uses a lot of stereotypes in writing about foreign cultures. The Scarecrow considers the Oriental Silver Islanders to be "stupid," and is disturbed to find out that they eat cats. The illustrations are even worse in this respect. I would say these stereotypes are the only potentially offensive part of the book, though (unless you're of a similar mind to the Wogglebug fan who posted an earlier review, in reply to whom I can only say that the Wogglebug might be slightly meaner here than in Baum's books, but overall, he's just as Baum introduced him: a stuffy, stuck-up academic, who is rarely intentionally mean or unfriendly, but often rubs people the wrong way). I would say any Oz fan should read this at some point, but, if it's your first Thompson book, keep in mind that she gets better.

When Knighthood Was In Flower.......2003-01-13

The first of the 19 Oz titles she authored, Ruth Plumly Thompson's The Royal Book Of Oz (1921) has met with occasional opposition over the years, largely due to the bold steps Thompson took in addressing questions Oz creator L. Frank Baum's 13 original books left unanswered. Thompson was personally elected by Baum himself to become the next "Royal Historian of Oz," a fact that should carry more weight with sensitive fans. While Baum deserves enormous credit for creating and sustaining America's premier fantasy land, Thompson's books were almost always exceptional; her style was smooth, convincing, and full of the imagination necessary to further the series. Any author following Baum certainly had a difficult task ahead of them.

As The Royal Book Of Oz opens, Professor Wooglebug has lighted on the idea of composing a book of his own, one that will trace the genealogy of all members of the Oz Royal Family. While Scraps the Patchwork Girl and several of the others are content with and honest about their humble origins, the aggressive Professor brazenly stresses the importance of legitimate family relationships, bluntly declaring to the assembled that outstanding Oz citizen the Scarecrow has none. Thompson's portrayal of the Wooglebug as an arrogant interloper and snob has offended some, but Thompson was only taking the Wooglebug's already established sense of elitism to its logical conclusion. His superior attitude does not go unnoticed by the others, especially the sensitive Dorothy; or by the Scarecrow himself, who first inexplicably came to life while strapped to a beanpole in the Munchkin country. Embarrassed and despondent, the Scarecrow sets out alone to discover if he has a legitimate "family tree."

Thompson's ingenious solution to the cause of the Scarecrow's sentience was probably something even she thought a gamble. Returning to the Munchkin country and the exact site of his origin, the Scarecrow discovers that his former beanpole extends far into the earth, and while digging at its base, tumbles into a hole that inexplicably opens around it. He falls a great distance - Thompson suggests that the Silver Island kingdom into which he eventually emerges is one the opposite side of the earth. Greeted in a great royal palace by a throng of awed silver - skinned Asians, the Scarecrow discovers that he not only has 3 sons, 15 grandchildren, and thousands of loyal subjects, but a vast kingdom. For the Scarecrow is none other than the reincarnation of the country's former emperor, dead now some 50 years. Initially thrilled if a little dismayed, the Scarecrow comes to regret the enormous responsibility that his "family tree" and his subject's expectations bring.

Meanwhile, a thankfully limited expedition composed of Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion has set out in search of their missing patriot, who Dorothy suspects has been wounded by the Professor's remarks. Thompson must have been an admirer of Lewis Carroll, for, as in later Thompson titles, many of the team's adventures have a Wonderland - like character. In one dazzlingly executed chapter, Dorothy and the Lion find themselves trapped in the strange city of Pokes ("Pocus"), where the residents contently live in perpetual drowse and move more slowly than their pet snails. There the journeyers discover Arthurian knight Sir Hocus, who has been held captive by the sleepwalking spell for centuries. The strange, very specific physical laws that govern Pokes are cleverly set into motion, and Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion are quickly ensnared. In a later adventure, they find themselves in the city of Fix, where the large-footed inhabitants never move from the spot on which they've chosen to settle; the anthropomorphic beds, dining tables, chairs, and even the trees and roads come to them instead. King Fix Sit's prim, short-tempered, and heretical dialogues with his three guests are particularly Alice - inspired.

Sir Hocus's status as an Arthurian knight has ruffled the sensibilities of some Oz fans, but most readers will agree there is more than enough room in Oz for the introduction of a great variety of characters from myth, folklore, literature, and history. Baum himself used the earth - guarding gnomes of Paracelsus, and freely adapted Europe's fairy mythology for his own purposes. Sir Hocus's somewhat scatter - brained notions of courtly romance and valor are one of the highlights of The Royal Book Of Oz; in later books, Sir Hocus frequently reappears as a valued member of the Royal Family. Thompson's Dorothy is an independent spirit, and free of the precious quality with which she was often burdened. Most impressive of all Thompson's characterizations is the Cowardly Lion; anxious, nervous, and weary in the face of danger, he nonetheless sinks his teeth into the opposition and emerges victorious. Depicted as a real, three - dimensional, physically threatening lion, he is no longer the stock character he had become in several of the earlier books.

As in Kabumpo In Oz and the books that followed, Thompson's characters frequently have depth and cast shadows. Wisely focusing on and exploiting the potential of a small cast, Thompson provides readers with a story that is both warm and interesting, though the first half of the book is stronger than the second. John R. Neill's drawings are particularly inventive, though his dated portrayal of Asians may offend some. Each chapter opens with an elaborate two - page illustration; there are numerous pictures in color. Opening with a message to readers in which widow Maude Baum passes the "Royal Historian" crown on to Thompson, The Royal Book Of Oz provides its audience with a wonderful stroll off the yellow-brick road and into unexplored and little - suspected hinterlands of Oz.

Tells of the Scarecrow's search for his roots.......2001-08-17

Before his death Baum left notes for more Oz stories: Royal Book Of Oz tells of the Scarecrow's search for his roots, and his rescue by his friends. John R. Neill's black and white illustrations make for an excellent, authentic addition to this involving story.

A lively, funny Oz book.......2000-12-31

On a quest for his family tree, the Scarecrow travels to the Munchkin farm where Dorothy originally met him. He falls down a magic beanstalk (the pole Dorothy rescued him from) and finds himself in a strange land, the Silver Islands, where he is proclaimed to be the re-created Emperor Chang Wang Woe. Meanwhile, when Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion realize that the Scarecrow is missing from the Emerald City, they go off in search of him. In this story, you'll meet many delightful new characters, such as the Doubtful Dromedary, the Comfortable Camel, and (my favorite) Sir Hokus of Pokes. Like Ruth Plumly Thompson's other Oz books, this one is as lively and at least as funny as L. Frank Baum's series. Thompson wrote 19 Oz books, so if you like this one, there are lots more to enjoy.

Mr. Wogglebug is portrayed as HORRIBLE in this book!.......2000-11-17

This book is OK, but what REALLY bothers me is that the Scarecrow is a big ol' weird-guy and not the one I MET from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I know because I believe I can go to Oz in an alpha-state like thing. The Wogglebug (as some person said earlier) acts like a total jerk! He DOES! What a lughead! The Wogglebug IS kind, caring, and sweet just like the other girl above said. He would NOT hurt MY feelings, so why would he hurt the Scarecrows?!?! He IS a College Dean in this book, even though he wasn't in THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ. (Was he even there?) There are MANY new characters like Ozma, Bettsy, and Troot in here, so ENJOY this sequel to WIZARD OF OZ (The fifteenth maybe?) Just pretend the Wogglebug and Scarecrow are best friends. Well, time for me to travel to OZ!

-Teetuba the Witch

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Oz | Fantasy & Adventure | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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