Kabumpo in Oz

This is a wonderful addition to my Wizard of Oz collection. These books help find the child within and helps bring out my creative side.

Wouldn't it be awful if, on your tenth birthday, your wonderful birthday cake exploded right in front of your face; and a scroll was found inside, which read that if you didn't marry a "proper" princess by the "proper" time your kingdom would disappear? Ruth Plumly Thompson, author of "Kabumpo in Oz," continued the Oz series after creator L. Frank Baum's death. After taking Baum's unfinished notes, she wrote "The Royal Book of Oz." Then she wrote 18 more Oz books. (Including this one) Even though this book is more than 80 years old, it is just as fantastic as it was in 1922. This book is number 16 in the series. This story begins in a small kingdom of Pumperdink in the northern country of the Land of Oz. It is Prince Pompadore's birthday and all is well. The cooks are summoned and out comes the most wonderful birthday cake you have ever seen. Alas, no matter how hard the prince blows, the candles stay lit. Kabumpo, the Elegant Elephant of Oz, attempts the strange dilemma and not only do all of the candles blow out, but the whole cake explodes! The only clue to this unfortunate accident is a scroll, threatening that if the prince does not marry a "proper" princess by the "proper" time, Pumperdink will disappear! The novel continues as Kabumpo and Pompadore search for a "proper" princess and on the way the meet their comrades Peg Amy, a large wooden doll, and Wag, a large comical rabbit. I found this novel very clever, adventurous, and fun. The only thing that bugged me was how few problems the adventurers had with the evil side. Glegg, the "bad guy" appears in a cloud of smoke and threatens to take Peg Amy away. (Who is really the former human princess of Sun Top Mountain) But just when you realize what has happened, he disappears and isn't shown again anywhere in the novel. I just wish the author could have developed more conflicts to encounter with Glegg specifically; other than Rith Metic, where invaders have to work their way through by solving math equations; and the Illumi Nation, where candles with flame heads try to light intruders up. Actually, there were a lot of conflicts to encounter, but Glegg just came and went too fast! Anyone who enjoys fantasy, such as Narnia or Prydain, should read the Oz books. Don't be surprised if you can't put this book down. "The Cowardly Lion of Oz" is the next book in the series.

This is Ruth Plumly Thompson's second Oz book, and it is a definite improvement over her first effort, THE ROYAL BOOK OF OZ. This is the book that introduces Thompson's best character, Kabumpo, the Elegant Elephant of Oz. Here, he helps Prince Pompadore of Pumperdink to find the Proper Princess and save the kingdom. The story is a lot of fun, and contains such interesting creations as the Curious Cottabus, who lives on questions, and a runaway country so intent on being settled that it kidnaps the heroes. It also features the return of Ruggedo, the former Nome King. Although Thompson makes a mistake involving Ruggedo's size (which she doesn't make in future books), she does a good job with the character. Wag, a giant rabbit who talks in spoonerisms, is a good addition to the ranks of Oz characters. While Thompson still makes some mistakes, including some involving the timing of the story, this book shows that she can write just as well as Baum, and was an excellent choice to continue the Oz series.

I'm especially affectionate about this book because some sweet person gave it to me when I was recovering from having my tonsils out (a common operation, long ago). My sister and I read it to shreds and can still quote bits from the poems. I am delighted it is available; it's going to be my Christmas gift to my sister. The Elegant Elephant is a splendid animal. The ending is perhaps predictable in a satisfactorily classic way. Oh, my purple wool socks! give it to the kids and maybe some big kids.

Somehow I missed Kabumpo when I read all the Oz books as a child. This is a great story with lots of action, sure to appeal to everyone. The Nome King makes a wonderfully villainous appearance and several new and interesting characters are introduced. John R. Neill's illustrations are wonderful, as always. This is a very worthy inclusion in the Oz series.