The Royal Book of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson and L. Frank Baum

(9 User reviews)   5647
By John White Posted on Dec 22, 2025
In Category - Pilot Stories
Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank), 1856-1919 Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank), 1856-1919
English
Hey, have you ever wondered where the Scarecrow came from? That's the wild question at the heart of 'The Royal Book of Oz.' It starts as a simple quest for family roots and turns into a hilarious, high-stakes adventure. The Scarecrow, feeling a bit incomplete, decides to search for his ancestors. He ends up in a totally new, upside-down kingdom called the Silver Islands, where he's mistaken for their long-lost emperor! Now he's stuck trying to rule a place he doesn't understand, while Dorothy and friends scramble to find him. It's a classic Oz mix of heart, humor, and pure imagination.
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descend from our ancestors, but the Scarecrow really ASCENDED. The Scarecrow had a most exciting and adventurous time on the Silver Isle and Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion just ran out of one adventure into another trying to rescue him. They made some charming new friends in their travels--Sir Hokus of Pokes, the Doubtful Dromedary, and the Comfortable Camel. You'll find them very unusual and likable. They have the same peculiar, delightful and informal natures that we love in all the queer Oz people. Of course every one of us is happy that John R. Neill has drawn the funny and lovely pictures for the new book. Mr. Neill surely is the Royal Painter of Oz. This note is intended for all the children of America, who knew and loved Mr. Baum, and it goes to each of you with his love and mine. MAUD G. BAUM. OZCOT HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA IN THE SPRING, 1921 LIST OF CHAPTERS 1 Professor Wogglebug's Great Idea 2 The Scarecrow's Family Tree 3 Down the Magic Bean Pole 4 Dorothy's Lonely Breakfast 5 Sir Hokus of Pokes 6 Singing Their Way Out of Pokes 7 The Scarecrow Is Hailed As Emperor! 8 The Scarecrow Studies the Silver Island 9 "Save Us With Your Magic, Exalted One!" 10 Princess Ozma and Betsy Bobbin Talk It Over 11 Sir Hokus Overcometh the Giant 12 Dorothy and Sir Hokus Come to Fix City 13 Dancing Beds and the Road That Unrolled 14 Sons and Grandsons Greet the Scarecrow 15 The Three Princes Plot to Undo the Emperor 16 Dorothy and Her Guardians Meet New Friends 17 Doubty and Camy Vanish Into Space 18 Dorothy Finds the Scarecrow! 19 Planning to Fly From the Silver Island 20 Dorothy Upsets the Ceremony of the Island 21 The Escape From the Silver Island 22 The Flight of the Parasol 23 Safe at Last in the Land of Oz 24 Homeward Bound to the Emerald City CHAPTER 1 PROFESSOR WOGGLEBUG'S GREAT IDEA "The very thing!" exclaimed Professor Wogglebug, bounding into the air and upsetting his gold inkwell. "The very next idea!" "Who--me?" A round-faced little Munchkin boy stuck his head in the door and regarded Professor Wogglebug solemnly. He was working his way through the Professor's Athletic college, and one of his duties was to wait upon this eminent educator of Oz. "Certainly not!" snapped Professor Wogglebug. "You're a nobody or a nothing. Stop gaping and fetch me my hat. I'm off to the Emerald City. And mind the pupils take their history pills regularly while I'm gone," he added, clapping his tall hat Zif held out to him on the back of his head. "Yes, sir!" said the little Munchkin respectfully. "Don't hurry back, sir!" This last remark the Professor did not hear, for he was already half way down the college steps. "Ozma will be delighted with the idea. How clever I am!" he murmured, twirling his antennae and walking rapidly down the pleasant blue lane. The Professor, whose College of Art and Athletic Perfection is in the southwestern part of the Munchkin country, is the biggest bug in Oz, or in anyplace else, for that matter. He has made education painless by substituting school pills for books. His students take Latin, history and spelling pills; they swallow knowledge of every kind with ease and pleasure and spend the rest of their time in sport. No wonder he is so well thought of in Oz! No wonder he thinks so well of himself! Swinging his cane jauntily, the Professor hurried toward the yellow brick road that leads to the Emerald...

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L. Frank Baum's magical world gets a delightful new chapter from Ruth Plumly Thompson in this official continuation. The story kicks off with the Scarecrow feeling oddly restless in his cornfield. He decides he needs to know where he came from, so he literally follows his own pole down a hole in the ground. This leads him to the Silver Islands, a strange empire on the other side of the world.

The Story

In the Silver Islands, people believe the Scarecrow is their missing emperor, Chang Wang Woe, returned after centuries. Suddenly, he's crowned and expected to rule! Back in Oz, Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion realize he's missing and launch a rescue mission. The book bounces between the Scarecrow's funny struggles with royal etiquette and Dorothy's journey across bizarre new landscapes, like the uncomfortable-looking Fix City where everyone is pinned in place.

Why You Should Read It

Thompson does a fantastic job capturing the spirit of Baum's Oz. The Scarecrow's adventure is genuinely clever and touching—it's about finding yourself, not just your family tree. The new characters, like the forgetful knight Sir Hokus of Pokes, are instant classics. It feels like coming home to a favorite place and discovering a wonderful new room you never knew was there.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for anyone who loves the original Oz books. It's also perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted fantasy with a lot of heart. If you've ever wanted just one more adventure with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion, this book is a gift. It proves that the road to discovery is often the yellow brick road in disguise.



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Melissa Johnson
1 year ago

I stumbled upon this title and it provides a comprehensive overview perfect for everyone. A true masterpiece.

Noah Robinson
1 year ago

Very helpful, thanks.

John Miller
9 months ago

Amazing book.

Karen Johnson
1 year ago

Great digital experience compared to other versions.

Thomas Torres
1 year ago

Compatible with my e-reader, thanks.

5
5 out of 5 (9 User reviews )

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