The Magic of Oz facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | L. Frank Baum (posthumously) |
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| Illustrator | John R. Neill |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Oz books |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Reilly & Lee |
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Publication date
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June 7, 1919 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Preceded by | The Tin Woodman of Oz |
| Followed by | Glinda of Oz |
| Text | The Magic of Oz at Wikisource |
The Magic of Oz is the thirteenth book in the amazing Land of Oz series. L. Frank Baum wrote it. It came out on June 7, 1919. This was just one month after he passed away. The story is about a boy named Kiki Aru. He is a Munchkin. The old Nome King, Ruggedo, joins him. They try to take over Oz, but they don't succeed! The book was dedicated to children of soldiers. It showed great pride and affection for them.
Contents
The Magic of Oz: A Story of Adventure
This book tells an exciting tale. It features magic, tricky villains, and brave heroes. It's all set in the wonderful Land of Oz.
Kiki Aru and the Secret Word
High up on Mount Munch live people called the Hyups. A Munchkin named Bini Aru was one of them. He found a way to change people and things. He just had to say the special word "Pyrzqxgl".
Princess Ozma made a rule in Oz. Only Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard of Oz could use magic. So, Bini wrote down how to say "Pyrzqxgl". He hid it in his magic lab.
One day, Bini and his wife went to a fair. Their son, Kiki Aru, loved adventure. He found the secret directions. Kiki then changed himself into a hawk. He flew to lands outside Oz.
Kiki Meets the Nome King
Kiki landed in the land of Ev. He learned that money was used there. In Oz, money is not needed. Kiki changed into a magpie. He stole a gold coin from an old man. A sparrow saw him. The sparrow knew Kiki had stolen the coin. Kiki said he was glad to be wicked.
Ruggedo overheard this talk. He was the Nome King. He had been sent away from Oz in Tik-Tok of Oz. Ruggedo saw Kiki's power. He thought he could use it to get revenge on Oz.
Kiki changed himself and Ruggedo into birds. They flew over the Deadly Desert. They entered the Land of Oz. They came in as animals. This way, Glinda would not find them. They wanted to gather an army of wild animals.
The Animal Army Plan
Kiki and Ruggedo landed in the Forest of Gugu. This was in the Gillikin Country. Kiki changed them into Li-Mon-Eags. These are made-up creatures. They have lion heads, monkey bodies, and eagle wings. They also have donkey tails.
Kiki lied to the animals. He said the people of the Emerald City planned to make them slaves. Ruggedo claimed the Li-Mon-Eags would change animals into humans. Then they would march on the Emerald City. They would turn the people there into animals. Ruggedo showed their power. Kiki was the only one who knew "Pyrzqxgl." Kiki changed Loo the unicorn into a man. Loo was an advisor to Gugu, the leopard king. Then he changed Loo back. Gugu agreed to meet with other animal leaders. They would decide about invading Oz.
Dorothy and the Wizard Arrive
Dorothy and the Wizard arrived in Gugu's forest. They came with the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger. They needed monkeys for Ozma's birthday party. Ruggedo saw his old enemies. He told Kiki to start changing people and animals.
Kiki even changed Ruggedo! He turned him into a goose. This was the Nome's biggest fear. Nomes believe all eggs are poison.
The Wizard had been changed into a fox. He followed Kiki, who was still a Li-Mon-Eag. Kiki went deep into the forest. He started changing monkeys into giant human soldiers. But he made them too big. They could not move through the trees.
The Wizard had heard how to say "Pyrzqxgl." He changed Kiki and Ruggedo into a walnut and a hickory nut. Then the Wizard became himself again. He changed Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger, and Gugu back. He agreed to change the soldiers back into monkeys. The Wizard took some grateful monkeys. He made them small. He took them back to the Emerald City for training.
The Magic Island Adventure
Dorothy and the Wizard went to a magic island. Cap'n Bill and Trot were there. They had gone to get a magic flower for Ozma's birthday. But the island made anything living that touched it take root. That's how Dorothy and the Wizard found them.
The Wizard used "Pyrzqxgl." He changed Cap'n Bill and Trot into honeybees. They almost got eaten by the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger! When they were human again, Cap'n Bill got the flower. He strapped a wooden plank to his good leg. He walked onto the island with it and his wooden leg. This way, he didn't take root.
Ozma's Birthday and the Villains' Fate
Back in the Emerald City, Ozma and her friends celebrated her birthday. It was a fun party. Then they decided what to do with the evil magicians. They were still nuts.
The Wizard used "Pyrzqxgl" again. He changed them back to Kiki Aru and Ruggedo. He made them very thirsty. They drank the Water of Oblivion. This water makes you forget everything you ever knew. The now-blank slate Kiki Aru and Ruggedo would live in the Emerald City. They would learn to be good and kind.
