Return to L. Frank Baum's wonderful world of Oz with this illustrated children's book series. The Scarecrow, tiny Trot from California, and Benny (a living stone statue from Boston) encounter High Boy, whose telescopic legs and airy personality make him in every way the Giant Horse of Oz High Boy himself is on an expedition with Herby the Medicine Man and little Prince Philador of the spectacular Ozure Isles, whose home has been threatened with utter destruction by a terrifying monster sea serpent. They all come together in a thrilling episode of Ozian history--which includes the discovery of the enchanted past of the wonderful Good Witch of the North, the very first person Dorothy met when she arrived from Kansas many years before. Praise for the Oz series "Where the young stay young and the old grow young forever--these books are for readers of all ages." --Ray Bradbury "The land of Oz has managed to fascinate each new generation. . . . The Oz books continue to exert their spell . . . and those who read them] are often made what they were not--imaginative, tolerant, alert to wonders." --Gore Vidal "I was raised with the Oz books, and their enchantment, humor and excitement remain with me. They are still a joy and a treasure. I welcome this Oz revival." --Stephen R. Donaldson
On the positive side, this book gives a glimpse at Ozian history, telling about some of Mombi's hitherto unknown evil deeds, the rulership of the Munchkin Country, and the origins of the Good Witch of the North. On the negative side, Thompson shows her usual carelessness with dates and times, and some people have objected to the Good Witch's origins. The story itself is somewhat weak on plot, with everything resolved as soon as the main characters get to the Emerald City. On the other hand, it contains some of Thompson's best creations: a fire-breathing sea monster, a medicine man with an actual medicine chest, a naive animated statue, and the title character, a horse with expanding legs. The creativity level of this book makes it well worth reading, despite its minor flaws.
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