The Unknown Witches of Oz facts for kids
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| Author | Dave Hardenbrook |
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| Illustrator | Kerry Rouleau |
| Cover artist | Kerry Rouleau |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Oz Books |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Galde Press |
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Publication date
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2000 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 240 |
| ISBN | 978-1-880090-23-7 |
| OCLC | 43365797 |
| 813/.6 21 | |
| LC Class | PS3558.A6188 U5 2001 |
The Unknown Witches of Oz: Locasta and the Three Adepts is a fantasy novel written by Dave Hardenbrook and published in 2000. It features illustrations by Kerry Rouleau. This book is part of the famous Oz series, which began with L. Frank Baum's original stories about the magical Land of Oz.
The book was released in 2000, which was 100 years after the very first Oz book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, came out. This timing was special, celebrating a century of Oz adventures! The Unknown Witches of Oz is the first book in what was planned to be a three-book series.
Contents
Who are the Witches in This Oz Story?
In this book, you'll meet some familiar and new witch characters.
Locasta: The Good Witch of the North
Locasta is the name given to the Good Witch of the North. L. Frank Baum first used this name in a play based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1902. She is a kind and powerful witch who helps Dorothy in the original story.
The Three Adepts: Locasta's Granddaughters
The Three Adepts are characters that L. Frank Baum first wrote about in his last Oz book, Glinda of Oz. However, in Dave Hardenbrook's story, he changes them a bit. He makes them Locasta's granddaughters, giving them new names and details.
What Happens in the Story?
The plot of The Unknown Witches of Oz is full of adventure and challenges for the good characters.
Locasta's Journey to Get Help
The story begins with Locasta, the Good Witch of the North, being forced out of Oz by the evil witch Mombi. Locasta needs help to get back to Oz and save her home. She finds a 16-year-old orphan boy named Dan at the Los Angeles Public Library and asks him for help.
Oz in Danger: Facing Evil Forces
When Locasta returns to Oz, she discovers that the land is in great danger. Many evil forces are trying to take over. These include the tricky Nome King, a powerful genie named Taarna, and scary demons and witches from a place called Whaqoland.
Joining Forces to Save Oz
To fight these villains, Locasta teams up with other good characters. She joins Glinda and Princess Ozma, along with the Three Adepts. Together, they work to stop the bad guys and bring peace back to Oz.
A New Kind of Character in Oz
Dave Hardenbrook added something new to the Oz stories. He created a teenage boy, Dan, who becomes a romantic interest for Princess Ozma. This was different from what earlier Oz authors had done.
How Does This Oz Book Feel Different?
Hardenbrook's book has a more modern and sometimes funny style compared to the older Oz books.
A Modern Take on Oz
The author uses a more modern and ironic (meaning it has a bit of a clever, unexpected twist) way of writing. For example, he describes Ozma as "the only world leader with an unwavering one-hundred-percent job approval rating!" This is a playful way to say everyone loves her.
Modern Ideas and Technology
The book also includes modern ideas and technology. For instance, the evil genie comes out of a spray can, which is a funny and unexpected twist. The author also mentions things like Bill Clinton (a former US president) and Rush Limbaugh (a radio host), and even environmentalism.
Since the author is good with computers, he also adds elements of technology and virtual reality to the story. You'll find things like Virtual Sprites and a Virtual Forest, which blend magic with modern tech.
