Customer Reviews

Don and Vicki, Co-Rulers of Oz

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This is the story of two cousins who venture off in a hot air balloon looking to set a new cross-country record for the youngest pilots ever to do so. The tale starts out just prior to take-off and there is little exposition as to who Don and Vicki (the cousins) are and how they got to this point. By chapter 4, they have arrived in Oz by landing in the Emerald City and are instantly declared Co-Rulers of Oz due to static discharge illuminating the Tin Woodman as he captures the landing balloon, as well as other citizens being shocked by static as they touch the children of the Great Outside. Their clothing as well gives them away as both good and evil witches/sorcerers, since, according to the Tin Woodman, only witches/sorcerers wear black & white.
It turns out that Ozma, the Wizard and others have been missing for 2 weeks and all must find a way into the locked palace of Ozma so that Don and Vicki can take their place as Co-Rulers of Oz. After a rope toss and climb into an open window, the palace opens up and the rule of the new Outsiders begins. During this narrative, many characters are mentioned and loads of information is provided.
The following day, Don and Vicki discover that time is halted when Ozma is missing, so it is always June 20th. They also discover that, as Co-Rulers of Oz, they are expected to hold court, which they do. After a brief introduction to Glinda, who crowns them Co-Rulers of Oz, they are visited by the Nome King, who fails to gain the Magic Belt from Vicki. Then Dox, the Fox King visits and transforms Vicki's head into one of a fox and King Kik-a-Bray of Dunkiton shows up to transform Don's head into that of a donkey. Of course, this is considered an honor by both Dox and Kik-a-Bray but not by Don and Vicki, who now find themselves unable to change back.
After a brief consultation with Glinda, who should have told them the Magic Belt could have solved the problem, they consult with Button-Bright and the Shaggy Man, both of whom have had a similar problem in the past. Instead, Glinda suggests that the Magic Belt will not do the job and they must seek out the Truth Pond.
After a restless night's sleep, punctuated by dreams of a young lady and others calling out to them for help (whoever could that be?), they set out for the Truth Pond, with the Hungry Tiger pulling their wagon. It seems the both Hank the Mule and the Wooden Sawhorse of Oz disappeared with Ozma as well.
Soon, the Winged Monkeys show up to speed up their trip by carrying the entire party to Winkie Country and the Truth Pond. A quick dunking and Don and Vicki's heads are restored to normal, although a side effect shows up.
It seems Don and Vicki must now tell the truth for a time and an odd conversation ensues, including suggestions of romance and an explanation of the Winged Monkey's past enslavement.
Now the winged monkeys are recruited to take all on a tour of Oz and start out at the Scarecrow's home. After dining with the Scarecrow, who can't help them find Ozma, the group fly off to Tin Woodman's Castle, where he can't help them either. There is mention of living tin flowers and fish, brought to life by Glinda and Ozma, though this does go against the original Baum stories which declares that only the Powder of Life can animate non-living things.
Another stop at the Castle of the Wicked Witch of the West, then off to Bear Center to confer with the Lavender Bear, King of Bear Center. It seems he can perform magic and shows the group an image of Ozma, which Vicki recognizes from her dreams.
Soon, another flight lands the group in Pumperdink and a meeting with the royal family there.
No help there other than a meal of pastries and they head off to visit Gaylette, the Good Witch of the North. A quick peek into a crystal ball shows Ozma, but no Dorothy. More questions than answers it would seem. A night's stay reveals more dreams of the sawhorse and others by both Don and Vicki. The next day they head off to Munchkin land and Dorothy's house. There is a reference to the Yellow Brick Road, but in Baum's stories, it is referred to as the road of yellow brick.
A conversation with a local inhabitant talks about the "Ruby Slippers" and a correction by Vicki reveals the knowledge of the MGM movie, The Wizard of Oz within the story. In fact, throughout the story are references to the movie and knowledge of Oz in general.
Another flight, now past the Tin Woodman's old house, then off to a conference with Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T. E., Dean of the Royal College of Oz. The Co-Rulers of Oz sample some of the Professor's knowledge pills, then head off to China Country to visit more citizens of Oz.
Finally, they wind up flying off to Glinda's Palace and meet Glinda's all girl army. Many discussions ensue, including one about folks of Oz not aging. The following day, Glinda finally explains how Don and Vicki were brought to Oz, though not why. It would seem she does not know. There is some discussion about twin talk, in which Don and Vicki can speak in unison. This fascinates everyone present and Glinda suggests this may be why they are in Oz.
One final flight back to the Emerald City the following day and it's on to the Magic Picture for the answers they have been looking for. What ensues is confusion, so the Big Lavender Bear, King of Bear Center in Winkie Country, and the Bear Center National Treasure, the Little Pink Bear suddenly show up to solve the mystery.
The Little Pink Bear's answers to questions only provide more confusion, then an inspection of the Wizards' laboratory adds to the confusion. The discovery of a spell book called the Book of Twin Spells, owned by Ol' Mombi provides a key clue. Everyone missing has actually just been made invisible. It seems that the twin speaking Co-Rulers of Oz now know why they were brought to Oz.
After speaking the counter spell in unison, all are restored to visibility and everything is explained to all in attendance. Ozma then plays word games with everyone until she finally is done and resumes her place on the throne of Oz.
The next day, Don and Vicki prepare for the departure from Oz. The story states that the propane and oxygen tanks are refilled. I would like to know how as technology is forbidden in Oz. The Wizard is given a joy ride in the balloon and seems to enjoy it.
Finally, Don and Vicki ride off into the thunderstorm to return to the Great Outside with some help from Polychrome, Daughter of the Rainbow.
Once back to their original place in the thunderstorm, they land and try to convince everyone of their journey to Oz, to no avail of course.
A brief recap in Oz shows Glinda destroying the Book of Twin Spells, then the story ends with Don and Vicki finishing up their cross-country balloon journey.

I found the narrative in this story to be a bit overly detailed, although my 12 year old granddaughter was not as critical. In addition, there was an awareness of Oz, both of the books and especially the movie that I personally disagree with. However, as an Oz book, it had some unusual plot points and such. The dreams never really played a role in the story, as did a number of characters who were mentioned but never really did anything to further the storyline.
Overall, this story kinda hits the middle of the road for me. I've read better and I've read worse, hence the 3-star rating.