The Oz books form a book series that begins with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and that relates the "history" of the Land of Oz. Oz was originally created by author L. Frank Baum, who went on to write fourteen Oz books. Although most of the Oz books are strictly adventures, Baum—as well as many later Oz authors—styled themselves as "Royal Historians" of Oz. Later authors wrote 26 other "official" books after Baum's death. Many other authors have put their own twists on Oz, notably Gregory Maguire's revisionist Wicked.
Contents
1Background
2List of "canonical" Oz books ("The Famous Forty")
2.1By L. Frank Baum
2.2By Ruth Plumly Thompson
2.3By other writers
3Non-canonical Oz works by "Royal Historians"
4Alternate Oz
5See also
6References
7External links
Background
The first fourteen books by the original author, L. Frank Baum, another nineteen by Ruth Plumly Thompson, and another seven books by various other authors comprise the "Famous Forty", which is considered the classic original series (though many inconsistencies make it difficult to call it canonical). Most of the books in the "Famous Forty" were published by Reilly and Britton (later Reilly and Lee).
Other books were printed later, by different publishing houses. As the earlier works have fallen out of copyright into the public domain (including all of L. Frank Baum's titles), numerous other books have been written in the series by many authors and publishers, some of whom continue to publish new works today.
In fact, so many additional Oz books have been written, that merely attempting to document all such books is a weighty endeavor in and of itself (see: External links). Some small publishers have even specialised in publishing Oz pastiches, of which the most commercial are probably Books of Wonder, Hungry Tiger Press, and The International Wizard of Oz Club—and perhaps the graphic novels of Eric Shanower. There are also alternative series of Oz books, such as the sequels written in Russian by Alexander M. Volkov, or the books of Frank Baum's great-grandson, Roger S. Baum. Then there are the "revisionist" books of Gregory Maguire. The following list therefore contains Oz books written by the authors of the first "Famous Forty" (including those published in later years). Others, including Volkov and Maguire's are listed below.
Dorothy gets swept into the Land of Oz by a cyclone. She meets a living Scarecrow, a man made entirely of tin, and a Cowardly Lion while trying to get to the Emerald City to see the great Wizard. Also reprinted by various publishers under the names The New Wizard of Oz and The Wizard of Oz with occasional minor changes in the text.
A little boy, Tip, escapes from his evil guardian, the witch Mombi, with the help of a walking wooden figure with a jack-o'-lantern head named Jack Pumpkinhead (brought to life with the magic Powder of Life Tip stole from Mombi), as well as a living Sawhorse (created from the same powder.) Tip ends up on an adventure with the Scarecrow and Tin Woodsman. Also reprinted as The Land of Oz.
While traveling to Australia with her Uncle Henry, little Dorothy is swept overboard with a hen named Billina. They land in Ev, a country across the desert from Oz, and, together with new-found mechanical friend, Tik-Tok, they must save Ev's royal family from the evil Nome King. With Princess Ozma's help, they finally return to Oz.
On her way back from Australia, Dorothy visits her cousin, Zeb, in California. They are soon swallowed up by an earthquake, along with Zeb's horse Jim and Dorothy's cat Eureka. The group soon meets up with the Wizard and all travel underground back to Oz.
Dorothy meets the Shaggy Man, and while trying to find the road to Butterfield, they get lost on an enchanted road. As they travel they meet the rainbow's daughter, Polychrome, and a little boy, Button Bright. They have all sorts of strange adventures on the way to Oz.
Dorothy Gale and her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em come to live in Oz permanently. While they tour through the Quadling Country, the Nome King is tunneling beneath the desert to invade Oz.
A Munchkin boy named Ojo must find a cure to free his Unc Nunkie from a magical spell that has turned him into a statue. With the help of Scraps, a living Patchwork Girl, Ojo journeys through Oz in order to save his uncle.
Betsy Bobbin, a girl from Oklahoma is shipwrecked with her mule, Hank, in the Rose Kingdom. She meets the Shaggy Man there and the two try to rescue the Shaggy Man's brother from the Nome King. This book is partly based upon Baum's stage musical, The Tik-Tok Man of Oz, which was in turn based on Ozma of Oz.
Cap'n Bill and Trot journey to Oz and, with the help of the Scarecrow, overthrow the cruel King Krewl of Jinxland. Cap'n Bill and Trot had previously appeared in two other novels by Baum, The Sea Fairies and Sky Island. Based in part upon the 1914 silent film, His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz.
Prince Inga of Pingaree and King Rinkitink and their companions have adventures that lead to the land of the Nomes and, eventually, Oz. This book only ends up in Oz at the end, because Baum originally wrote it as a non-Oz book, entitled King Rinkitink, and only rewrote it later.
Concerning the disappearance of Princess Ozma, the ruler of Oz. When she is discovered missing, four search parties are sent out, one for each of Oz's four countries. Most of the book covers Dorothy and the Wizard's efforts to find her. Meanwhile, Cayke the Cookie Cook discovers that her magic dishpan (on which she bakes her famous cookies) has been stolen. Along with the Frogman, they leave their mountain in the Winkie Country to find the pan.
The Tin Woodman, Nick Chopper, is unexpectedly reunited with his Munchkin sweetheart Nimmie Amee from the days when he was flesh and blood. Along the way, Nick discovers a fellow tin man, Captain Fyter, as well as a Frankenstein-like creature made from their combined parts.
Ruggedo, former Nome King, tries to conquer Oz again with the help of a Munchkin boy, Kiki Aru. In the meanwhile, it is also Ozma's birthday, and all of Oz's citizens are searching for the most unique present for the little princess. This was the last Oz book published while Baum was alive.
Dorothy, Ozma and Glinda try to stop a war in the Gillikin Country. This was Baum's last Oz book, and was published posthumously. Most critics agree this is Baum's darkest Oz book, most likely due to his failing health.
Thompson's style was markedly different from Baum's. Her tales harkened back to more traditional fairytales. She often included a small kingdom, a prince or princess who saves his or her kingdom and regains the throne or saves Oz from invasion. Thompson even respelled Baum's respelling "Nome" as the more traditional "Gnome". All in all Thompson wrote 19 Oz books, five more than Baum.
The Scarecrow, going on a quest to find his family tree, slides down a magic bean-pole and discovers he is actually the Emperor of the mysterious underground Silver Islands. When Dorothy discovers him missing, she sets out to find him, meeting the knight, Sir Hokus of Pokes along the way. Although Baum was credited as the author, it was written entirely by Thompson.
During Prince Pompadore of Pumperdink's birthday celebration a magic scroll is found inside his birthday cake. It warns him that if the he doesn't wed a "proper princess" within seven days, his entire kingdom will disappear. The prince, along with the old, wise elephant Kabumpo, the Elegant Elephant, set off on an adventure to the Emerald City and along the way meet up with a living wooden doll, Peg Amy and Wag, a giant rabbit. Meanwhile Rugeddo the Gnome King (Thompson "corrected" Baum's "Nome") turns himself into a giant while tunneling under the Emerald City, and gets Ozma's palace stuck on his crown, and runs off with it.
The Cowardly Lion decides that the courage the Wizard gave him is all used up. He is told the best way to get courage is to eat a courageous man. He sets out on a journey to do this as fast as possible, since he does not like to harm anyone.
Prince Tatters of Ragbag, and Grampa, a former soldier set out to search for King Fumbo's lost head and a fortune to save the kingdom. Meanwhile, in Perhaps City in the Maybe Mountains the Princess Pretty Good disappears after the prophet Abrog forsees her marrying a monster if she does not marry in four days.
Old Mombi (from The Land of Oz) is now a cook in the land of Kimbaloo, and one day comes across Pajuka, the former prime minister of Oz, who she enchanted into a goose years before. She sets out to find Pastoria, the king of Oz, who she enchanted years before. Meanwhile, Dorothy is accidentally transported to Hollywood. where she meets Humpy, a live stunt dummy, who she brings back to Oz.
The Hungry Tiger (first seen in Ozma of Oz) is transported to Rash, the Red Kingdom in Ev, where is made guard of the prison, where he discovers Betsy Bobbin, Carter Green, the Vegetable Man, and the Scarlet Prince Reddy of Rash as prisoners. They escape, and have many adventures on the way back to Oz.
Peter, an American boy, finds his way to the Island of Ruggedo, the wicked Gnome King. The two escape to Oz, which the Gnome King plans to conquer. Meanwhile Scraps, the Patchwork Girl is kidnapped by the Quilties and made their queen.
Many years ago, before Dorothy came to Oz, the royal family of the Munchkins were kidnapped and imprisoned on the mysterious Ozure Islands by the witch Mombi. Quiberon, an evil monster created by Mombi, guards them, but now wants a mortal maiden. Prince Philadore of the Ozure Islands sets out to save them, and meets Tattypoo, the Good Witch of the North (Not seen since a cameo in The Road of Oz).
Remembering his previous visit to Oz, Peter (from The Gnome King of Oz) finds himself in Jack Pumpkinhead's yard. The two set off for the Emerald City, but take a wrong turn and end up in the Quadling Country, where they have many adventures.
Sir Hokus of Pokes grows bored with life in the Emerald City, and he and the Comfortable Camel set out for some adventure. Meanwhile a boy named Speedy blasts his way to Oz in a homemade rocket ship, where he finds himself in the underground kingdom of Subterranea.
Peter returns to Oz for a third time, this time with pirates on the Nonestic Ocean (which surrounds the continent Oz is on). Meanwhile, Old Ruggedo, the Gnome King is back. He had been hit with a Silence Stone at the end of The Gnome King of Oz, and decides to answer an advertisement for king of the Land of Menankypoo.
While visiting the neighboring kingdom of Pumperdink, Prince Randy of the Purple Mountains criticizes the king's grapes, claiming they are sour. Randy is sentenced to be "dipped", but Kabumpo, the Elegant Elephant makes him his attendant instead. Later, the royal family disappears and Randy and Kabumpo must save the day.
Ojo (from The Patchwork Girl of Oz) is captured by Gypsies and escapes with fellow captive Realbad, the leader of a group of bandits. Together they discover X-Pando, the flexible man, free Crystal City from the Blue Dragon, visit Unicorners where Unicorns come from, and visit Dicksey Land, as well as many other strange lands.
Speedy (from The Yellow Knight of Oz) returns for another adventure. While inspecting a dinosaur skeleton, Speedy is blown by a geyser into the air. The skeleton comes magically to life and becomes Terrybubble, a live (although fleshless) dinosaur. Terrybubble and Speedy land on Umbrella island, a magic floating island, which has been captured by a giant.
This Oz mystery starts in Skampavia where King Skamperoo wishes for a horse using enchanted emerald necklaces. When Chalk, the Wishing Horse of Oz falls from the sky, Skamperoo decides the emeralds must be from the Emerald City, and decides to conquer all of Oz.
Captain Salt (from Pirates in Oz) sails the Nonestic Ocean and discovers Ozamaland, a legendary land of flying animals, as well as the famous White City of Om as well as many other places.
Mandy from Mt. Mern is a Mernite, a race of seven-handed people. One day, while trying to gather her goats the rock she is standing on is blown into the air and into Oz. She lands in Keretaria in the Munchkin Country and meets Nox the white Royal Ox. This is also the last appearance of Ruggedo, the Gnome King.
King Randy of Regalia sets off for adventure with his old friend, the Elegant Elephant Kabumpo set off to visit their friend Jinnicky the Red Jinn in Ev. Before long, they meet Planetty, the lovely Princess from Anuther Planet and her fire-breathing Thundercolt, Thun and set off on more adventures.
The Wizard decides to create ozoplanes for his friends which can fly into the stratosphere. The Wizard, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow take one ozoplane, called the Ozpril, and go to the Red Top Mountains. The other group: Tin Woodman, Jellia Jamb and the Soldier with the Green Whiskers take the Oztober to the sky city of Stratovania. The phrase "The Wizard of Oz" was included in the title to coincide with the 1939 release of the film The Wizard of Oz.
By other writers
When Thompson retired in 1939 longtime Oz illustrator John R. Neill took over the series and wrote three more of the "Famous Forty". Neill's vision of Oz is more manic than Thompson or Baum's. Houses often get up and do battle, and everything can be alive. His entries take Oz's color scheme (blue for Munchkin Country, red for Quadling Country, etc.) to an extreme, extending it to sky and skin colors.
Jack Snow was a Baum scholar, and even offered to take over the series at age twelve when Baum died. Snow's books lack any characters created by Thompson or Neill, although he did create his own.
Jenny Jump captures a leprechaun and forces him to make her into a fairy, but he only does half the job before escaping. Jenny then jumps to Oz using her half-fairy gifts. She soon sets up a fashionable Style Shop with a magic turnstyle which will give anyone high style and challenges Ozma to an ozlection to become ruler of the Land of Oz.
The Wizard creates Scalawagons, intelligent cars that can also fly. He makes Tik-Tok superintendent of the Scalawagons Factory, but the mechanical man runs down. Bell Snickle, a mysterious creature, takes advantage of Tik-Tok's condition by filling the scalawagons with "flabber-gas" and the Wizard nearly loses his scalawagons.
Bucky is aboard a tugboat in New York Harbor when the boiler blows up. He is soon blown into the Nonestic Ocean where he meets Davy Jones, a wooden whale. The pair take an undersea route to the Emerald City, and have many adventures along the way.
Ozma and Glinda go to meet with the Fairy Queen Lurline in the Forest of Burzee and leaves Dorothy in charge of Oz. During Ozma's absence, the evil Mimics escape their imprisonment on Mount Illuso and use their magic to take the form of others and attempt to conquer Oz.
It is discovered that the love magnet, which was owned by the Shaggy Man (from The Road to Oz) has broken, and only its creator, the evil Conjo can fix it. Meanwhile, Twink and Tom are pulled through their television to the Isle of Conjo in the Nonestic Ocean along with the wooden clown Twiffle. Soon the Shaggy Man arrives and saves them from Conjo.
Jam, a boy from Ohio builds a kite and attaches it to a crate and sets off to Oz with his two guinea pigs, Pinny and Gig, and a lab rat named Percy. Once in Oz, Jam realizes his pets can talk. He lands in the Hidden Valley, and becomes a prisoner, but they escape and set out on adventures with the Tin Woodman.
Robin Brown from the USA rides a magic merry-go-round horse to Oz. Upon landing, Robin must help find the missing magic rings of Halidom.
Non-canonical Oz works by "Royal Historians"
Each of the "Royal Historians" wrote Oz-related works not generally considered canonical. Some are short stories, some are reference works, still others are novels written sometimes years after the authors' main body of Oz books.
Newspaper comic/column chronicling the misadventures of the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Woggle-Bug, Jack Pumpkinhead, the Sawhorse, and the Gump in the United States. Originally used to promote The Marvelous Land of Oz. Often republished in book form as Visitors from Oz, The Visitors from Oz, or The Third Book of Oz. The edition by Hungry Tiger Press also includes "The Woggle-Bug Book" (see below) and is illustrated by Eric Shanower. Complete series can be read here.
Further adventures of the Wogglebug in the USA after he gets separated from the others. The text is included in "The Visitors from Oz" from Hungry Tiger Press. The book can be read here.
Tompy, a drummer boy from the United States and Yankee, an Air Force dog meet the Red Jinn of Ev and together defeat an evil giant who is threatening both America and Oz.
David Perry and his talking camel Humpty Bumpty find themselves on Kapurta, an island stranded in the sky. David must supply the magic to move the island and visit the Emerald City in time for the Cowardly Lion's birthday party.
Written in 1943, to be the 37th Oz book, Neill died before he could illustrate the book, so publisher Reilly & Lee decided not to publish it due to shortages during World War II. The manuscript stayed with Neill's family until it was finally published in 1995. Eric Shanower edited it and provided illustrations.
Pocotristi Sostenuto, a living puppet, must find the magical Rundelstone so he can rescue his fellow puppets from the evil Slyddwynn, the Whitherd of Whitheraway Castle.
Singra, the Wicked Witch of the South awakens after a 100-year nap and decides to make up for all the wickedness she missed out on. Dorothy and friends must try and stop her before she destroys the Emerald City.
Baum also wrote Oz-related stage plays: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1901) with music by Paul Tietjens and Nathaniel D. Mann, The Wizard of Oz (1902) (music by Tietjens et al; with jokes by Glen MacDonough), The Woggle-Bug (1905) with music by Frederick Chapin, The Rainbow's Daughter, or The Magnet of Love (February 1909) with music by Manuel Klein, revised in April 1909 as Ozma of Oz, and ultimately produced, with music by Louis F. Gottschalk as The Tik-Tok Man of Oz. Also in 1909, he wrote a play called The Girl from Oz. The manuscript is held in the archives at Syracuse University, but apparently its relation to Oz is little more than nominal (it is also known as The Girl from Tomorrow and was later adapted for radio by Frank Joslyn Baum, as is also the case with the short story, "The Littlest Giant", a rather brutal tale designated in two lines to be in the Gillikin country of Oz. With Gottschalk writing the music, he wrote an unproduced stage version of The Patchwork Girl of Oz in November 1913, that was developed into the film scenario.
Alternate Oz
Below are some books which deal with alternate views of Oz, and are usually considered apocryphal. Because there are literally hundreds of unofficial Oz books, the following is a list of those that are best-known, or most independently or commercially successful.
The first of Volkov's "sequels". Urfin Djus discovers a magical powder that brings things to life. He then creates an army of wooden soldiers and sets off to conquer the Land of Oz.
The characters visit an unpopulated version of Emerald City, looking the same as it does in the 1939 film. The man sitting on the Wizard's throne turns out to be Marten Broadcloak, an alter-ego of one of the Dark Tower Series' main villains.
First in a series of prequels to the original L. Frank Baum books. Broadly compatible with the original canon and features Arthur Gale, grandfather of Dorothy Gale
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