Policeman Bluejay facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | L. Frank Baum (as "Laura Bancroft") |
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| Illustrator | Maginel Wright Enright |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Twinkle Tales |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Reilly & Britton |
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Publication date
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1907 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
Policeman Bluejay or Babes in Birdland is a fun children's novel. It was written by L. Frank Baum, the same author who wrote the famous Oz books. The pictures in the book were drawn by Maginel Wright Enright. This book was first published in 1907. Many people, including Oz author Jack Snow, thought it was one of Baum's best stories.
About the Book
In 1906, L. Frank Baum wrote six short stories for young children. These were called The Twinkle Tales, named after the main character, a little girl. These stories were first sold as small books. Later, they were put together into one bigger book called Twinkle and Chubbins: Their Astonishing Adventures in Nature-Fairyland.
These stories were very popular! Baum's publisher, Reilly & Britton, sold 40,000 copies quickly. Because they were so successful, Baum decided to write a new book. He took a character named Policeman Bluejay from one of the Twinkle Tales and gave him his own novel. This new book was published the next year.
L. Frank Baum wrote many books. He used different names, called "pseudonyms," for some of them. He did this so his own name wouldn't be on too many books at once. Both The Twinkle Tales and Policeman Bluejay were published under the name "Laura Bancroft." These were the only fantasy books Baum wrote using a different name.
Policeman Bluejay was also a big hit. A second edition came out in 1911. This time, it had a new title: Babes in Birdland. The third edition, published in 1917, finally showed L. Frank Baum as the real author. The book has been printed many times since then, allowing new readers to enjoy the story.
The Illustrations
Maginel Wright Enright was a young artist when she drew the pictures for The Twinkle Tales and Policeman Bluejay. She was in her mid-twenties and just starting her career. Her drawings for these books are known for being graceful and clear. They have a simple, clean look that children enjoy.
The Story's Main Idea
The books Baum wrote in 1906 and 1907, including Policeman Bluejay, share an important message. They teach readers to be kind to animals, not cruel. Baum remembered how children could sometimes be harsh to animals. He saw this in his own sons too.
Baum wrote a special introduction for Policeman Bluejay. In it, he clearly stated his goal. He hoped the story would be fun. But he also hoped it would make young readers feel "a little tenderness for the helpless animals and birds" they met. This message is a big part of the book. It even led to a very strong scene in Chapter IX, called "The Destroyers." This scene shows the harsh side of the world to highlight the importance of kindness.
Story Summary
The story begins with two children, Twinkle and Chubbins. They get lost in a "great forest." There, they meet a strange creature called a "tuxix." This tuxix looks like a spiny turtle. But it's actually a powerful magician, wizard, and witch all in one! The evil tuxix casts a spell on the children. It turns them into little bird-like beings. They still have their own heads, but their bodies are like skylarks.
Policeman Bluejay is in charge of keeping order in the forest's bird world. He helps the two child-larks fly through the sky. He finds them a safe, empty thrush's nest in a maple tree. A friendly eagle helps them get their picnic basket. This means they don't have to eat bugs and worms!
Twinkle and Chubbins meet their new neighbors in the maple tree. These include a squirrel, an owl, and an opossum. Policeman Bluejay also introduces them to the other birds in the forest. The children soon learn that the forest world has its own rules and problems. They hear stories about how humans can be mean to animals.
Soon, they see this cruelty for themselves. Hunters come into the forest. They kill Mrs. 'Possum, Mrs. Hootaway, and Wisk the squirrel. Twinkle tries to protest, but she can only make a bird's chirp. The hunters' dog almost catches Twinkle. But their friend the eagle saves them! The eagle swoops down, scares off the dog, and takes the children to safety.
The eagle takes the two lark-children to his high nest. His baby eagles are hungry and want to eat Twinkle and Chubbins! Baum shows that animals sometimes have to hunt each other to survive. But he also says that "love" is the most important rule in the forest. Policeman Bluejay then takes the children to an even safer place.
This new place is the Paradise of Birds. Here, there is no fighting or violence. The children get a tour of this beautiful place. They meet the King Bird of Paradise. In the "suburbs" of Paradise, they meet the bees and their Queen Bee. They also see a wonderful flight of butterflies.
Outside of Paradise, in the "coarse, outer world," there is trouble. Policeman Bluejay has to deal with a rebellion by the rooks. The rooks want to make the other birds their slaves. But the smaller birds work together and win the battle against the rooks.
The King Bird of Paradise and his Royal Necromancer tell the children how to become human again. They must eat a fruit called "tingle-berries." They do this, and return to their normal bodies. Chubbins almost gets stuck halfway! Their adventure is over, and the children make their way home as evening arrives.
The Paradise of Birds
L. Frank Baum adds many real details about nature to Policeman Bluejay. But he was a fantasy writer, not a scientist. The seven chapters about the Paradise of Birds are the most magical part of the story. Baum uses simple words for his young readers. But with these simple words, he creates a beautiful and imaginative picture of this special place.
Policeman Bluejay takes the children to the Guardian of the Entrance to Paradise. The Jay himself cannot enter because he is too involved with the outside world. The Guardian lets the children in. He gives them to Ephel, the Royal Messenger. Ephel guides them on their tour.
Ephel takes them to the royal court of the King Bird of Paradise. The King gives a funny speech about how important it is to be proud of yourself. Ephel shows the children the Lustrous Lake, where fish sing. He also shows them a strange lake of dry water. Then they see the Gleaming Glade, where birds perform their Beauty Dance.
The Paradise of Birds is like a perfect, peaceful place. A legend says that humans once lived there but were sent away for a crime. But birds have always been allowed to live there because they do no harm. These are "fairy Birds of Paradise," so they exist in their own magical world.
