The Giant Garden of Oz facts for kids
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| Author | Eric Shanower |
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| Illustrator | Eric Shanower |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel Fantasy |
| Publisher | Emerald City Press / Books of Wonder |
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Publication date
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1993 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 178 |
| ISBN | 0-929605-41-1 |
| OCLC | 34199606 |
The Giant Garden of Oz is an exciting book written and illustrated by Eric Shanower. It was first published in 1993. This story is part of the amazing world of Land of Oz, which was first created by L. Frank Baum. Many other authors have also written stories about Oz.
Contents
Welcome to the Giant Garden!
This story takes place in the magical Land of Oz during the late 1900s. It's about Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, who are Dorothy Gale's aunt and uncle. They had lived a life of luxury in the Emerald City for many years. But now, they decide they want to go back to farming!
They buy a small farm in the Munchkin Country. Farming in Oz is much easier than in Kansas. This is because the Wizard of Oz has created special magical tools to help them. People in Oz do not get older unless they want to.
A Big Surprise for Dorothy
Dorothy comes to visit her aunt and uncle's new farm for the first time. But she finds a huge problem! Overnight, their vegetable garden has grown to an enormous size. There are giant beets, broccoli, peppers, and watermelons. Some cabbage heads are twenty feet high! The farmhouse is completely surrounded by a wall of huge vegetables.
Dorothy decides she must go to the Emerald City for help. She has to climb over the giant plants, which are like mountains of food!
Meeting Imogene the Cow
As Dorothy travels through the Munchkin Country, she meets new friends. One of her main new friends is a white and purple cow named Imogene. Imogene is a very special cow. She gives different kinds of dairy products depending on how she feels:
When I'm content I give regular plain old milk. When I'm thinking hard and get into a brown study I give chocolate milk. When I'm sad and blue I give skim milk. When I get excited, which doesn't happen often, I give butter. And when I get real angry, sour cream.
Imogene can also give healing golden milk when there is a big problem. During the story, she even gives whipped cream and ice cream! Imogene the cow first appeared in a play called The Wizard of Oz in 1902.
Imogene convinces Dorothy to let her come along. The cow really wants to see the Emerald City!
Unraveling the Mystery
With Imogene by her side, Dorothy sets out to find the Wizard. The Wizard helps Dorothy start to figure out the mystery of the giant garden. They learn that a would-be witch named Old Magda is the cause of all the giant vegetables.
Finding Magda and solving the problem is not easy. Dorothy, Imogene, and the Wizard face a big thunderstorm. They also have a scary near-crash during a balloon flight!
The Giant Potion and Moles
Old Magda created a special potion to make her gardening easier. She wanted her plants to grow bigger and faster. But she lost control of the potion! Now, giant moles are eating the giant vegetables. These moles are a big problem for everyone.
Dorothy herself even becomes giant after being affected by the potion. She has a difficult time underground. Finally, she, the Wizard, and Princess Ozma work together to solve the problem. They manage to bring everything back to normal in Oz.
A Difficult Choice and a Happy Ending
Near the end of the story, Dorothy and her friends rescue Old Magda and Imogene the cow. They were about to be buried alive! But then, they learn they can only save one of them, not both. Saving the old witch would lead to the cure for Dorothy's giant size. However, Dorothy cannot let her cow friend die.
So, they save Imogene. Once Imogene is better, she gives her special golden milk. This milk helps to heal Magda too! The cure for Dorothy's giantism is found, and she returns to her normal size. Old Magda decides to change her ways and become good. And Imogene finally gets her tour of the Emerald City!
