Giant Horse of Oz (The Wonderful Oz Books, #22) (The Wonderful Oz Books, #22)

Rating:
Summary: A few flaws, but otherwise excellent
Review: On the positive side, this book gives a glimpse at Ozian history, telling about some of Mombi's hitherto unknown evil deeds, the rulership of the Munchkin Country, and the origins of the Good Witch of the North. On the negative side, Thompson shows her usual carelessness with dates and times, and some people have objected to the Good Witch's origins. The story itself is somewhat weak on plot, with everything resolved as soon as the main characters get to the Emerald City. On the other hand, it contains some of Thompson's best creations: a fire-breathing sea monster, a medicine man with an actual medicine chest, a naive animated statue, and the title character, a horse with expanding legs. The creativity level of this book makes it well worth reading, despite its minor flaws.

Rating:
Summary: Sea monster demands mortal maiden for slave labor!
Review: What a story! A ferocious sea monster demands a mortal maiden be brought from Oz to serve him, or else he'll destroy the Ozure Isles. When Trot is kidnapped and whisked away to the monster's lair, the Scarecrow and a living statue named Benny rush to her rescue. Later they encounter High Boy, the giant horse with telescoping legs, escape a tribe of shadow people, defeat the violent Round-abouties and solve the mystery of Tattypoo the witch. A wild, imaginative tale, which ranks among Ruth Plumly Thompson's finest.