the eleventh Oz book by L. Frank Baum

To My Readers

Some of my youthful readers are developing wonderful imaginations. This pleases me. Imagination has brought mankind through the Dark Ages to its present state of civilization. Imagination led Columbus to discover America. Imagination led Franklin to discover electricity. Imagination has given us the steam engine, the telephone, the talking-machine and the automobile, for these things had to be dreamed of before they became realities. So I believe that dreams -- day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain-machinery whizzing -- are likely to lead to the betterment of the world. The imaginative child will become the imaginative man or woman most apt to create, to invent, and therefore to foster civilization. A prominent educator tells me that fairy tales are of untold value in developing imagination in the young. I believe it.

Among the letters I receive from children are many containing suggestions of "what to write about in the next Oz Book." Some of the ideas advanced are mighty interesting, while others are too extravagant to be seriously considered -- even in a fairy tale. Yet I like them all, and I must admit that the main idea in "The Lost Princess of Oz" was suggested to me by a sweet little girl of eleven who called to see me and to talk about the Land of Oz. Said she: "I s'pose if Ozma ever got lost, or stolen, ev'rybody in Oz would be dreadful sorry."

That was all, but quite enough foundation to build this present story on. If you happen to like the story, give credit to my little friend's clever hint.

L. Frank Baum
Royal Historian of Oz

1 A Terrible Loss
2 The Troubles of Glinda the Good
3 The Robbery of Cayke the Cookie Cook
4 Among the Winkies
5 Ozma's Friends Are Perplexed
6 The Search Party
7 The Merry-Go-Round Mountains
8 The Mysterious City
9 The High Coco-Lorum of Thi
10 Toto Loses Something
11 Button-Bright Loses Himself
12 The Czarover of Herku
13 The Truth Pond
14 The Unhappy Ferryman
15 The Big Lavender Bear
16 The Little Pink Bear
17 The Meeting
18 The Conference
19 Ugu the Shoemaker
20 More Surprises
21 Magic Against Magic
22 In the Wicker Castle
23 The Defiance of Ugu the Shoemaker
24 The Little Pink Bear Speaks Truly
25 Ozma of Oz
26 Dorothy Forgives





Noder's Notes: In his eleventh Oz novel, Baum pulls out all stops in a story that's back to the best the Oz books have to offer. Princess Ozma, and all of Glinda and the Wizard's magic is stolen mysteriously overnight, as well as a cook's baking tub (and Toto's growl!). Dorothy and her friends go on the search, encountering dangers and strange Oz denizens. An aloof giant frog and a very wise wind-up bear also appear. This is one of my favourites.

Some curious lines found within this tale:

if ever I'm in trouble when I'm on the water, I can call the Mermaids and they'll come and help me. But the Mermaids can't help me on the land, you know, 'cause they swim, and--and--they haven't any legs.
a danger is a thing that might happen and might not happen, and sometimes don't amount to shucks
It is annoying to travel almost to a place and then find it is not there.
I'm sorry for you people who have to be born in order to be alive.
And then, with her arms outstretched, she did a very queer thing.
Exceeding wisdom renders me superior to menial duties.
I will confess that among us all I am the most beautiful.
What one does when asleep one is not accountable for.
I had a sore throat from barking too long at the moon.
A mule is as brave as a lion any day.


...previous Oz book...More Oz...first chapter...

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