This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below...

Perhaps I should admit on the title page that this book is "By L. Frank Baum and his correspondents," for I have used many suggestions conveyed to me in letters from children. Once on a time I really imagined myself "an author of fairy tales," but now I am merely an editor or private secretary for a host of youngsters whose ideas I am requestsed to weave into the thread of my stories. These ideas are often clever. They are also logical and interesting. So I have used them whenever I could find an opportunity, and it is but just that I acknowledge my indebtedness to my little friends. My, what...

The Army of Children which besieged the Postoffice, conquered the Postmen and delivered to me its imperious Commands, insisted that Trot and Cap'n Bill be admitted to the Land of Oz, where Trot could enjoy the society of Dorothy, Betsy Bobbin and Ozma, while the one- legged sailor-man might become a comrade of the Tin Woodman, the Shaggy Man, Tik-Tok and all the other quaint people who inhabit this wonderful fairyland. It was no easy task to obey this order and land Trot and Cap'n Bill safely in Oz, as you will discover by reading this book. Indeed, it required the best efforts of our dear...

The fun begins in an isolated corner of Oz, in the small country of Oogaboo. There Queen Ann Soforth musters an unlikely army and sets off to conquer the rest of Oz. Meanwhile, a girl from Oklahoma named Betsy Bobbin and her companion, Hank the mule, are shipwrecked and washed ashore in the Rose Kingdom, a magical land of talking roses. There they meet the Shaggy Man, who is on a quest to rescue his brother from the clutches of the wicked Nome King. Betsy, Hank, and the Rose Princess join the Shaggy Man on his journey, and before long they meet up with Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter;...

In this classic and timeless story, which is one of the true classics of American literature, Dorothy and her adventures have stirred the imagination of young and old alike for generations. Considered as the first American fairy tale, L. Frank Baum crafted a wonderful and imaginative story out of familiar places and characters. Dorothy will go through the adventure of a lifetime. In the story, we follow the adventures of young Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, as their Kansas house is swept away by a cyclone. Dorothy and Toto emerge in a strange and magical land called Oz. And it is at this...

The Victorians take full responsibility for the commercialisation of Christmas - the first Christmas card was sent in 1840 and Queen Victoria popularised German traditions surrounding the Noel including decorating the tree. The growing publishing industry was quick to recognise the extra pennies that people were willing to spend, so increased production every October to cater for this Christmas market, making it their busiest time of year as it still remains today. Inevitably there emerged many special Christmas editions, periodicals and serials and authors, probably led by Charles Dickens,...