The Magical Land of Noom (Books of Wonder) [Hardcover]

Johnny Gruelle (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Books of Wonder

Come on a high-flying adventure with a little girl and boy, as they travel from their own backyard to the mysterious enchanted kingdom they discover on the other side on the moon. Johnny Gruelle-who brought to life Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, everyone's favorite rag dolls-created this heartwarming tale seventy-five years ago. Now this wonderful introduction to Gruelle's loving spirit and boundless imagination is available again, in a beautiful edition featuring his twelve full-color plates.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Johnny Gruelle (1880-1938)--much-loved creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy--started his career as a newspaper cartoonist. Inspired by the charm, wit, and commercial success of L. Frank Baum's Oz books, Gruelle created this magical adventure in 1922. This extraordinary, riveting story begins when Johnny and Janey decide to build a Flying Machine and head to the moon. Much to their surprise, their flight of fancy actually takes flight! They end up on the side of the moon that doesn't face Earth, the Magical Land of Noom (moon backwards). The adventure begins in a field of giant mushrooms that taste like cake, and the trouble begins when a scary, wicked old man named Jingles the Magician orders Johnny and Janey to stay away from his lemonade spring. As the story unfolds, we discover that Jingles has kidnapped the beautiful Princess of Nite, and the kids and their grandparents set out to return her to the throne. Along the way they meet the spirited Faun Boys, the Soft-Voiced Cow, and the exuberant Mr. Tiptoe. Lavishly illustrated with Gruelle's fantastic paintings and line drawings, this gorgeous reissue of the 1922 classic will be welcomed by imaginative young readers and nostalgic adults, too! (Ages 9 to 12)

About the Author

Johnny Gruelle (1880-1938), the much-loved creator of the brother and sister rag dolls Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, started his career as a newspaper cartoonist. By beating out fifteen hundred entrants in a comic-drawing contest sponsored by the New York Herald, he earned a two-thousand-dollar prize and an extended contract to provide a weekly installment of his cartoon "Mr. Twee Deedle." In addition to designing the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, he soon began writing and illustrating make-believe tales and adventure stories for children. His love of the unknown and his fascination with science and outer space helped inspire The Magical Land of Noom.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 24, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068814117X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688141172
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,136,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A long lost treasure rediscovered., December 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magical Land of Noom (Books of Wonder) (Hardcover)

I was thrilled to discover The Magical Land of Noom back in print. I was given a copy by my grandparents in 1944 when I was five years old. I read it and reread it as a child. I read and reread it to my children. Our copy is now just loose pages kept in a binder. I have now ordered two copies of the book, one for me and one for my grandchildren. Thank you, thank you to the folks who have made this book available. I hope many people are made aware of the beauty of the illustrations and the gentle goodness which the story imparts. I will certainly spread the word to my friends and acquaintances.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful imaginative and magical story for all generations, August 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magical Land of Noom (Books of Wonder) (Hardcover)

I am so thrilled that this book is available again!! My twin sister and two brothers have commented many times about our fond memories of bedtime when our parents would read to us about the Magical Land of Noom. Even today, some 30 years later, we each look at the moon and think of Johnny and Janey and laugh with amazement that our innocent children thoughts remain so sharp in our adult imaginations. I have an old copy of the original publication, somewhat torn, tattered and crayoned, which has reminded me periodically to try to find this book. Together with the help of my siblings, we have searched bookstores from Chicago to Cleveland to NYC to Salt Lake City, and have been disappointed to learn that it was not in publication. So, today, I just happened to log onto Amazon.com, and here it is!!!! I have ordered six copies for my family and expect to be reordering for many years to come when I need a gift for special friends with little ones. The Land of Noom shoul! d be a standard for all children, along side such classics as Pooh and Christopher Robin, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Charlotte's Web, The Wizard of Oz, The Secret Garden, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 101 Balloons, and so many others. I am looking forward to sharing the enchantment with my niece and nephews, and hope this book remains forever in publication.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinarily imaginative story with a "quest" theme., September 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magical Land of Noom (Books of Wonder) (Hardcover)

While doing an out of print book search on Internet for one of my favorite childhood books, The Magical Land of Noom, I discovered to my great surprise and joy that it was reissued this year! Born in 1938, I was given the book at about age 5 and I still have that much read copy which was also much loved by my children.Wanting to give a copy to my grandchild,I was seriously considering spending upwards of $250 for a used copy.This book is singularly magical in the English tradition of such classics as The Princess and the Goblin and The Phoenix and the Carpet and appeals to the very imaginative child. Like the Wizard of Oz, it foll- ows a sort of "quest" type plot in which the char- acters must succeed in getting through many scary adventures and surmounting many obstacles to reach their goal of returning a long imprisoned princess to her throne. There are molasses candy bogs,ink rains, and a wicked magician, but there are also pleasant adventures involving such delights as lemonade springs, mushrooms that taste like cake, and a wonderful meal served by invisible hands.The illustrations,including fascinating black line drawings in addition to full color plates, are gorgeous and bear the imprint of the design trad- itions of that era.The reading level is set at 9- 12 but I think the book can be introduced to a certain sort of child even as early as 5. I rejoice in this reissue and was pleased to read of the delight of other Amazon customers at this re- view site. It seems that I wasn't the only one to have such vivid,striking memories of this special book. I have purchased 6 copies for special friends and relatives,young and old. Now a new generation can explore the Magical Land of Noom.