The Patchwork Girl of Oz facts for kids
First edition cover
|
|
| Author | L. Frank Baum |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | John R. Neill |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Oz books |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Reilly & Britton |
|
Publication date
|
1913 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Preceded by | The Emerald City of Oz |
| Followed by | Tik-Tok of Oz |
The Patchwork Girl of Oz is an exciting children's book written by L. Frank Baum. It's the seventh story in the popular Oz series. This book introduces fun new characters like Ojo "the Unlucky" and the amazing Scraps, who is a girl made of patchwork! You'll also meet the Woozy and other interesting friends.
The book first came out on July 1, 1913, with cool pictures by John R. Neill. A year later, in 1914, L. Frank Baum even turned the book into a movie through his "Oz Film Manufacturing Company."
In the story before this one, The Emerald City of Oz, magic was used to hide Oz from the rest of the world. Baum had planned to stop writing Oz books then. But because he needed money, he decided to write more. In this book, he explains that he talked to Dorothy in Oz using a special "wireless telegraph." Dorothy then got permission from Ozma to share this new adventure with him.
Contents
The Story of Ojo and Scraps
Ojo's Quest for a Cure
The story begins with a boy named Ojo, who is often called Ojo the Unlucky. He lives a simple life with his quiet uncle, Unc Nunkie, in the Munchkin Country of Oz. They visit their neighbor, Dr. Pipt, who is a magician. Dr. Pipt is almost finished making a special "Powder of Life." This magical powder can bring objects that aren't alive to life!
Dr. Pipt's wife has made a life-sized doll out of different fabric scraps. She wants her husband to use the powder to make the doll a helpful servant. They also meet Bungle, a very proud talking cat made of glass, who is another of Dr. Pipt's creations.
The Powder of Life works, and the patchwork doll comes to life! She calls herself Scraps. But then, something goes wrong. An accident happens, and both Dr. Pipt's wife and Unc Nunkie are accidentally turned to stone! Dr. Pipt tells Ojo that he needs to find five special things to create a mixture that can undo the stone spell.
The Journey Begins
Ojo, Scraps (the patchwork girl), and Bungle the glass cat start their adventure. They need to find:
- A six-leaved clover
- The wing of a yellow butterfly
- Water from a dark well
- A drop of oil from a living person
- Three hairs from a Woozy's tail
Scraps is very lively and loves to say funny, rhyming poems. They have many adventures and soon meet a Woozy. A Woozy is a big, blocky animal with four legs. The Woozy agrees to give them three hairs from its tail. But they can't pull the hairs out, so they decide to take the Woozy along with them!
Meeting New Friends
Later, giant talking plants capture the group. Luckily, the Shaggy Man arrives just in time and saves them. He suggests they go to the Emerald City to see Princess Ozma. But he warns Ojo that picking a six-leaved clover is against the law in Oz.
On their way, they meet the Scarecrow. He really likes Scraps, and she likes him too! Just outside the Emerald City, Ojo sees a six-leaved clover. Thinking no one is watching, he picks it. When they reach the city gates, the Soldier with the Green Whiskers tells Ojo he is under arrest!
Ozma's Decision
Ojo is brought before Ozma for trial. He admits what he did. Ozma is kind and forgives him, letting him keep the clover. Dorothy and the Scarecrow join Ojo and Scraps as they continue their search for the other ingredients.
Their journey leads them to meet Jack Pumpkinhead, the playful but sometimes annoying Tottenhots, and a huge 21-foot-tall giant named Mr. Yoop who eats people! They also visit the underground homes of the Hoppers, who have only one leg, and the Horners, who have one horn on their heads. These two groups are almost at war because of a misunderstanding. But Scraps helps them become friends again! A grateful Horner then shows the group a well in a dark radium mine, and Ojo collects some water from it.
The Final Ingredients
The group travels to the castle of the Tin Woodsman, who rules the Winkie Country. They hope to find yellow butterflies there, as that part of Oz is mostly yellow. While talking to the Tin Woodsman, Ojo sees a drop of oil about to fall from his body. He quickly catches it in a small bottle. He explains that he now has almost all the ingredients.
But when Ojo describes the last ingredient—a yellow butterfly wing—the Tin Woodsman is shocked. He thinks it's terrible to hurt an innocent butterfly and forbids them from catching one in his land. Ojo is very sad. The Tin Woodsman suggests they all go back to the Emerald City to ask Ozma for advice.
A Happy Ending
Ozma tells them that Dr. Pipt was using magic illegally, so he lost his powers. But Unc Nunkie and Dr. Pipt's wife, who were turned to stone, have been brought to the Emerald City. Everyone watches as the Wizard of Oz uses his magic to bring them back to life!
Ojo and Unc Nunkie are given a new house near the Emerald City. The Tin Woodsman then calls Ojo "Ojo the Lucky," because everything turned out well in the end!
Adaptations of the Story
The Patchwork Girl of Oz Film
L. Frank Baum himself wrote and produced a movie based on this book. It was called The Patchwork Girl of Oz and was made by Baum's own studio, The Oz Film Manufacturing Company. The movie came out in 1914.
The Musical Version
Around 1913, Baum also wrote a musical play based on the book with a composer named Louis F. Gottschalk. However, this musical was never fully performed on stage. Parts of it have been played at special meetings of The International Wizard of Oz Club.
