Land of Oz (Wonderful Oz Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

L. Frank Baum (Author), John R Neill (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Wonderful Oz Books

Book 2 of L. Frank Baum's immortal OZ series, in which young Tip runs away from his guardian, the witch Mombi, taking with him Jack Pumpkinhead and the wooden Saw-Horse, and flees to the Emerald City where he learns the incredible secret of his past.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Book 2 of L. Frank Baum's immortal OZ series, in which young Tip runs away from his guardian, the witch Mombi, taking with him Jack Pumpkinhead and the wooden Saw-Horse, and flees to the Emerald City where he learns the incredible secret of his past.

About the Author

L. Frank Baum is the author of 14 Oz books, as well as many other classics of American fantasy. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the best known of his legendary books. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (November 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345335686
• ISBN-13: 978-0345335685
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #636,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly superior sequel, August 24, 2000

By 

Tim Weber (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Land of Oz (Wonderful Oz Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

I suppose some would consider it sacrilege and those who only know "The Wizard of Oz" the movie wouldn't believe it, but "The Land of Oz," the second book in L. Frank Baum's 14-book series, is clearly superior to "The Wizard of Oz." No Dorothy, no Toto, no Lion: no problem. This book is sensationally entertaining. Whereas the first book seemed more interested in presenting marvelous characters and creatures scene by quick scene (which it does well) than in delighting us with what they say and do, "The Land of Oz" is a tour de force that will keep a smile permanently affixed to your face (like Jack Pumpkinhead!). Baum's style is enormously improved; he supplies more detail, more endearing dialog, more fun, more edge, more sides to everything. The characters and creatures are marvelous: the aforermentioned Jack Pumpkinhead (my favorite), the Highly Magnified Woggle-Bug, the gump (two sofas, an antlered animal head, palm leaves and broom brought to life as a flying "thing"), the Saw Horse, the army of girls who take over the Emerald City and make servants of the men (in 1904!), Mombi the witch (far more interesting than the Wicked Witch of the West), and on and on, including more vivid portrayals of the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman. Overall, considerably better than the first book, which is good in its own right, and simply one of my favorite books, one which can be loved by adults (as I am) or children. If you read only one Oz book (OK, you have to read the first one, but if you read only two) include "The Land of Oz".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd Best Oz Book I've Ever Read, August 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Land of Oz (Wonderful Oz Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is as they call it now "Da Bomb". I think it is the best L. Frank Baum Oz book.It's got plenty of action and suspence while having a sort of merryness. This is the perfect book for oz fans.If you liked the Wizard Of Oz you will end up liking this one better. Enjoy the book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quixotic quest qualms quietened---Queen quashes quarrel, April 28, 2008

By 

Robert S. Newman "Bob Newman" (Marblehead, Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Land of Oz (Wonderful Oz Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

Another great story from L. Frank Baum at the turn of the 20th century, the second one after "The Wizard of Oz" and more exciting. The Wizard has gone home, Dorothy is presumably with her uncle and aunt in Kansas. A downmarket sorceress, Mombi, with crooked shoes and a long nose, has a young boy named Tip in thrall. He creates a pumpkin-headed man to scare her, but she brings it to life with a newly-acquired Powder of Life. Tired of the kid's tricks, she decides to turn him into a statue, but he makes tracks with the now living, but stupid Jack Pumpkinhead. They meet up with a speedy Sawhorse, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and a highly-magnified, thoroughly educated Wogglebug with an unfortunate tendency to bad puns. This crew tangles with the revolutionary army women of the Emerald City, who have taken over unde the leadership of Comrade General Jinjur. After many a setback, they escape in a Gump (got to read the book to find out what that is), and arrive at the palace of the Good Queen Glinda, whose all-female army (hmm, what IS it with Frank Baum and female armies ??) marches to the Emerald City and puts down the revolt for once and for all. There's a surprise ending, which I won't reveal, except to say that it involves a sex change.
I loved the Oz books growing up and I still do love them, along with the great illustrations by John R. Neill. I can't imagine my childhood without them and when I get tired or fed up with the modern world, I can still sometimes retreat into the past with a good Oz story. If you liked any of the Oz books previously, you'll definitely like this one. It's a perfect fantasy on a rainy day, coming down from a simpler time.