The Scarecrow of Oz Review
This book brings in some nice characters--Trot and Cap'n Bill, from the two non-Oz books Baum wrote between EMERALD CITY and PATCHWORK GIRL, the better of which is the fabulous SKY ISLAND which every Baum fan should read. And a wonderful, funny, petulant but endearing non-human creature (the Ork, who is nothing at all like JRR Tolkein's Orcs.) The Ork gets some hilarious lines, like "If I'm going to starve, I'll do it all at once, not by degrees!" He's a little like the Woggle-Bug but more distinct and more appealing.
Plotwise this book is more or less nowhere; it's beginning is exceptionally grim (the protagonists face the apparent prospect of dying of thirst); then it becomes a walking and flying tour, with an attempt to cram an implausible story about one-dimensional characters (and the Scarecrow) in at the end. The story sort of threatens to become interesting when Cap'n Bill gets turned into a grasshopper--something which has happened to only one other Oz character--but doesn't quite work; it's too late in the book. Baum should have shortened the journey to Jinxland and focused on what happened there, or put more plot into the journey itself, like in WIZARD, PATCHWORK GIRL, and TIKTOK.
In spite of the plot problems I give it four stars for vivid portrayal of the main characters and Baum's special on-the-road atmosphere. If you like Trot and Cap'n Bill be sure to read SKY ISLAND.
The Scarecrow of Oz Overview
Journey back to the magical land that lies somewhere over the rainbow with this ninth sequel to Baum’s timeless classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Along the way you’ll be enchanted by all 96 black-and-white drawings and 12 full-color plates by John R. Neill that have been faithfully reproduced from the original 1915 edition. They bring to life the adventures of the Scarecrow who is sent by Glinda the Good to rescue Trot, her friend Cap’n Bill and Princess Gloria from the clutches of the evil witch and King Krewl. Children of all ages will read this book again and again. 12 full-color, 96 b/w illus.
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Related Products
- Tik-Tok of Oz (Books of Wonder)
- The Patchwork Girl of Oz (Books of Wonder)
- Rinkitink in OZ
- The Tin Woodman of Oz: A Faithful Story of the Astonishing Adventure Undertaken by the Tin Woodman, Assisted by Woot the Wanderer, the Scarecrow of Oz, and Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter
- Glinda of Oz (Oz, 14)
Customer Reviews
Scarecrow - Gayle -
Trot and Cap'n Bill are in trouble -- their boat has been pulled down into a giant whirlpool! When they finally land in a mysterious cave, there seems to be no escape....until they meet a strange creature. Where in the world are they?
Not one of the best in the series - ScrawnyPunk - Houston, TX USA
The Scarecrow of Oz was chiefly a way for Baum to introduce readers to another one of his book series (The Sea Fairies and Sky Island) to his more lucrative Oz readership. The story itself is a bit uneven, but is easily digested by younger readers as separate segments can be treated as stand-alone stories with a single unifying theme of moving Cap'n Bill and Trot from California to Oz.
Synopsis: Cap'n Bill and Trot (a relationship which probably would not find its way into modern kiddie lit) go for a recreational row and get caught in a whirlpool. The whirlpool transports them to a fairy land which they escape with the help of an orc (a magical flying creature, not the nasties in Tolkein) and some magical shrinking berries. They spend a little bit of time in the Land of Mo (another Oz series) before escaping once again with recurring character Button-Bright (from the Road to Oz), the help of some adventuresome birds and magical growing berries. They land in Jinxland, a semi-autonomous region within Oz, where they accidentally insert themselves into the nuptial politics of the local ruler, an elderly but wealthy courtesan, the daughter of a deposed king, and the son of another deposed king. The three characters are unable to do anything other than get into serious trouble with a local witch and are eventually bailed out by the combination of the Scarecrow's planning, a sudden re-appearance of the original orc with an army of his friends, and a bit of lucky timing. After restoring the king's daughter to her rightful throne and true love, they make their way back to the Emerald City where they meet everyone. The story abruptly ends at this point - the reader can assume Capn' Bill and Trot have found a home in Oz although the story's beginning did not make it seem as if Trot's family was either lost or worth leaving.
Buyer's review of The Scarecrow of Oz - Caesar -
The book arrived promptly via standard shipping. The dust cover and the book were in excellent condition. I am very pleased with the book and Amazon's service.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 07, 2010 22:02:04
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