The Forbidden Fountain of Oz facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Eloise Jarvis McGraw and Lauren Lynn McGraw |
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| Illustrator | Dick Martin |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Oz Books |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | International Wizard of Oz Club |
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Publication date
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1980 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 98 |
| Preceded by | The Enchanted Island of Oz |
| Followed by | The Ozmapolitan of Oz |
The Forbidden Fountain of Oz is a children's fantasy novel published in 1980. It was written by Eloise Jarvis McGraw and her daughter, Lauren Lynn McGraw. The book features illustrations by Dick Martin. This story is part of the famous Oz series, which began with L. Frank Baum's original tales.
Contents
What is The Forbidden Fountain of Oz About?
This exciting Oz adventure tells the story of Princess Ozma, who accidentally drinks from a magical fountain. This fountain makes her lose all her memories! The book follows her journey as she tries to find her way back home and remember who she is.
The Story's Main Characters
The story begins with a girl named Emeralda Ozgood in the Emerald City. She makes limeade for the Clover Fair, but she uses water from the Forbidden Fountain by mistake. Her only customer is Princess Ozma, who drinks the limeade and forgets everything.
Ozma, now without her memories, wanders off and loses her crown. She meets new friends, including the Monarch of the Butterflies, who calls her "Poppy." A talking hedgebird also gives her advice.
Ozma's Journey and New Friends
Dressed in boy's clothes, Ozma (as Poppy) meets a lamb named Lambert. Lambert is different because he is white, unlike the other lambs in his flock. They both fall into Camouflage Creek and turn into different bugs and animals!
After returning to their normal forms, they meet Tobias Bridlecull Jr., a clumsy highwayman. He carries a "Suggestion Box" that gives suggestions instead of taking them. Soon, Tobias joins Poppy and Lambert on their adventure.
Kabumpo's Adventures
Meanwhile, Kabumpo the Elegant Elephant is returning from the Clover Fair. He gets into trouble with the living toys of Wyndup Town. Kabumpo then bumps into Poppy and her friends in Gozzerland National Park, a place with bubblegum and glue geysers.
The four travelers continue their journey through Cleanitupia and Pristinia. Kabumpo finally recognizes Poppy as Ozma when he sees her long hair. He tries to convince her to come home, but she doesn't trust him because she can't remember. Kabumpo ends up having to carry her back to the Emerald City!
How Ozma Regains Her Memory
Once back home, Ozma uses the powerful Magic Belt to get her memory back and return to normal. To prevent future problems, the Forbidden Fountain is sealed off forever.
The Forbidden Fountain's History
The Forbidden Fountain in this book is the same one that L. Frank Baum created in his sixth Oz book, The Emerald City of Oz. In that book, the fountain's "Water of Oblivion" helps defeat an invading army without any fighting.
This special fountain appears in other Oz books too. It is important in Baum's The Magic of Oz, Rachel Cosgrove Payes's The Wicked Witch of Oz, and Edward Einhorn's Paradox in Oz.
Ancient Ideas Behind the Fountain
The idea of a forbidden drink is similar to the idea of "forbidden fruit" from the Book of Genesis. The idea of water that makes you forget is also very old. In Greek mythology, the river Lethe made the souls of the dead forget their earthly lives. This idea appears in many old stories from different cultures.
Baum added a special twist to his Forbidden Fountain. In his Oz stories, those who drink from it not only lose their memories but also become kind and innocent, "as innocent as babes."
Images for kids
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First edition cover
