Wizard of Oz books

Land of Oz was the second in the Oz book series and written by L. Frank Baum (1856 – 1919) and published in 1904 by Reilly & Lee Co., Chicago. Illustrated by John R. Neill (1877 – 1943). Originally the author had imagined there would be no sequels. In this novel, he inserted an author’s note which states, “After publication of the “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” I began to receive letters from children, telling me of their pleasure in reading the story and asking me to “write something more” about the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman”. At first I considered these little letters, frank and earnest though they were, in the light of pretty compliments; but the letters continued to come during succeeding months, and even years.Finally I promised one little girl, who made a long journey to see me and prefer her request,- and she is a “Dorothy”, by the way - that when a thousand little girls had written me a thousand little letters asking for another story of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, I would write the book. Either little Dorothy was a fairy in disguise, and waved her magic wand, or the success of the stage production of “The Wizard of Oz” made new friends for the story. For the thousand letters reached their destinations long since - and many more followed them.And now, although pleading guilty to a long delay, I have kept my promise in this book. L Frank Baum.  Chicago, June, 1904.”

 The Scarecrow of Oz was the ninth book in the Oz book series and written by L. Frank Baum (1856 – 1919). It was Illustrated by John R. Neill (1877 – 1943) and published in 1915 by Reilly & Lee Co., Chicago.The author dedicated this book to, “The Uplifters’ of Los Angeles, California, in grateful appreciation of the pleasure I have derived from association with them, and in recognition of their sincere endeavor to uplift humanity through kindness, consideration and good-fellowship. They are big men -all of them- and all with the generous hearts of little children. L. Frank Baum.”

The Royal Book Of Oz, “In which the Scarecrow goes to search for his family tree and discovers that he is the Long Lost Emperor of the Silver Island, and how he was rescued and brought back to Oz by Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion.” It was the 15th book in the Oz book series and written by L. Frank Baum (1856 – 1919) and enlarged and edited by Ruth Plumly Thompson (1891 – 1976). It is illustrated by John R. Neill (1877 – 1943) and published in 1921 by Reilly & Lee Co., Chicago.A note from the author’s widow in the beginning of the book states:“Dear Children: You will remember that, in the front part of Glinda of Oz, the Publishers told you that when Mr. Baum went away from this world he left behind some unfinished notes about the Princess Ozma and Dorothy and the jolly people of the Wonderful Land of Oz. The publishers promised that they would try to put these notes together into a new Oz book for you.Well here it is - The Royal Book of Oz.I'm sure that Mr.  Baum would be pleased that Ruth Plumly Thompson, who has known and loved the Oz stories ever since she was little girl, has made this new Oz story, with all the Oz folks in it and true to life.You see I am Mrs. Baum, the wife of the Royal Historian of Oz, and so I know how he feels about everything.Now about the story:Of course, we all knew that the Scarecrow was a very fine fellow, but surely we never guessed he ascended from an emperor. Most of us descended 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 such charming new friends in their travels - Sir Hocus of Pokes, the Doubtful Dromedary, and the Comfortable Camel. You'll find they're very unusual and likeable. 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”

 The Giant Horse of Oz was the 22nd book in the Oz book series. It was written in 1928 by Ruth Plumly Thompson (1891 – 1976) and illustrated by John R. Neill (1877 – 1943). It was published by the Reilly & Lee Co., Chicago.