Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Marvelous Land of Oz
Illustrator: John R. Neill
Fiction Series
For ages 8 to 12
HarperCollins, 1985 ISBN: 978-0688054397
When Tip runs away from the home of his guardian, Mombi the witch, he has no idea that a series of remarkable adventures lies in his future and that he is going to meet some decidedly peculiar characters as well. To begin with there is Jack Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse, both of whom have been brought to life through the use of magic. These two accompany Tip on his journey to the Emerald City of Oz. Unfortunately, Tip has chosen a most inauspicious moment to go to the Emerald City for soon the beautiful place is overrun by a rebellion of young women led by the beautiful, ruthless, and determined General Jinjur.
Soon Tip, joined now by the famous Scarecrow of Oz, are on the run from Jinjur and a vengeful Mombi. Tip begins to wonder if there is a place where they can be safe, and if they will be able to once more bring peace to the magical land of Oz.
This second book in the Oz series is perhaps even more exciting than the more famous first book. The characters are delightfully funny and full of surprises. Indeed, the plot of whole story is full of unexpected twists and turns, the most surprising of all being the secret of who Tip really is.
This edition of “The Marvelous Land of Oz” has been faithfully reproduced to look just like the original 1904 edition, complete with more than one hundred and twenty line illustrations and sixteen color plates.
