Royal Book of Oz

Rating:
Summary: Thompson's first Oz effort
Review: This book is Ruth Plumly Thompson's first foray into Oz writing (and it is entirely hers, despite the publishers' initial story that she had written it based on notes left by L. Frank Baum), and it is hardly her best work, but it isn't her worst, either. She does a good job working with Baum's characters, and the premise of the book is an attempt to solve one of the greatest mysteries left behind by Baum: why the Scarecrow is alive. I know some people have been dissatisfied with the explanation, but I have no problem with it. A weak point to this book is that it isn't especially tightly plotted, with some moments where the action stops for no reason.

Thompson seemed to want to make Oz more multicultural than Baum left it, and, to this end, she used this book to introduce an Arthurian knight and an Oriental kingdom. While this is admirable in a way, Thompson uses a lot of stereotypes in writing about foreign cultures. The Scarecrow considers the Oriental Silver Islanders to be "stupid," and is disturbed to find out that they eat cats. The illustrations are even worse in this respect. I would say these stereotypes are the only potentially offensive part of the book, though (unless you're of a similar mind to the Wogglebug fan who posted an earlier review, in reply to whom I can only say that the Wogglebug might be slightly meaner here than in Baum's books, but overall, he's just as Baum introduced him: a stuffy, stuck-up academic, who is rarely intentionally mean or unfriendly, but often rubs people the wrong way). I would say any Oz fan should read this at some point, but, if it's your first Thompson book, keep in mind that she gets better.

Rating:
Summary: Simply terrible!
Review: This has just got to be the worst book I have ever read, or at least the worst Oz book I have ever read. It both starts off bad and ends bad. Mr. Wogglebug (again in this book he is a professor) tells the Scarecrow that he has no family tree. But he would NEVER say a thing like that. It's IMPOSSIBLE for him to EVER hurt ANYONE'S feelings. Then the Scarecrow goes searching for his family tree, he finds his bean pole and comes to the Silver Islands where the inhabitant's look like China people. And he discovers that he is their emperor, Chang Wang Woe, and he has a rather large family, but he later returns to Oz. This book is SO stupid. So please don't read it. Mr. Wogglebug is really supposed to be kind, caring and sweet.

Rating:
Summary: OZ: THE NEXT GENERATION
Review: When I was young,I really enjoyed the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. One day I was in a bookstore and saw a display with very long paperbacks(published by DEL REY at the time) by Ruth Plumly Thompson. I didn't even know that someone else wrote any Oz books. I had to get them. The Royal Book of Oz was the first one I got because It was marked 15 on the cover and I knew that it was the next in the series. After reading the book I instantly fell in love with the writing of Thompson. I had to read the rest of books she wrote. The Royal Book of Oz is a fairly decent book. I wouldn't say it is one of Thompson best work, but it is a good read. Thompson's writing is more fun and bouncy then L.Frank Baum's(don't get me wrong I love Baum's work). You can tell the difference alot in this story. An interesting fact is that in the original publishing was created to L. Frank Baum. It wasn't until the DEL REY version that Thompson was finally created as the author. I'm glad that Books of Wonder has made this new edition of this book. Now I get a chance to see the color plates that were missing in the other version. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I did when I was a thirteen year old boy.

Rating:
Summary: a delightful book to the end!
Review: When the Wogglebug says the Scarecrow has no family tree, Scarecrow sets out to his field where he was born to prove him wrong. But when he slides down the bean pole (which is magic!) the people of the Silver Isles say he is a reincarnation of Chang Wang Woe, their former king. I think if you love Oz, you have to read this book. Five Cheers for "The Royal Book of Oz"!

Rating:
Summary: Not bad for a first attempt!
Review: While I don't think that Thompson is Baum-like in style, she adds a certain flair that was not apparent in Baum's works. The only problem is her lack of consistency and her stereotyping against Asian people.