Sky Island

As one of my favorite childhood stories, I have read this several times - even as an adult. Wouldn't we all like to have the adventure of visiting this wonderous island. I recently finished reading The Sea Fairies and Sky Island to my 8 year old daughter. She loved them but was saddened that there are no more adventures for Trot and Cap'n Bill. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

A fast-moving, well-woven plot, a loving trio of resourceful protagonists, and one (actually seven) of the most fun-to-hate villians in Baum. For spite, impulsive violence, and cruelty elevated to a creative art, the Wicked Witch of the West and even the Nome King have nothing on the principle villian of SKY ISLAND. On Sky Island, as in Oz, no one dies or suffers pain, even those who get cut to pieces. The Boolooroo of the Blues exploits this so barbarically that the reader is tempted to wish he could simply kill his victims instead. The dramatic climax (involving a goat) is difficult to read without cheering out loud. Baum's special blend of tension and humor in this non-Oz book rivals the best Oz books. Readers of my reviews know that I like to note Baum's references to Wagner. Polychrome is an obvious derivative of Brunhilde. Polychrome's father is the Rainbow; Brunhilde's is the god of storms as well as of war. Just as Brunhilde favors the hero Siegmund, so Polychrome favors our hero Button-Bright, and her assistance is more useful to BB than Brunhilde's is to Siegmund! She persuades the Pinkies to let the protagonists live, using a singularly Wagnarian argument: "Why have you decreed death to these innocent strangers?" she asked. "They do not harmonize with our color scheme," replied Tourmaline. "That is utter nonsense," declared Polychrome, impatiently. "You're so dreadfully pink here that your color, which in itself is beautiful, has become tame and insipid. What you really need is some sharp contrast to enhance the charm of your country, and to keep these three people with you would be a benefit rather than an injury to you." That's DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NURNBERG for kids. Compare Hans Sach's speech to the Mastersingers: "Gesteht, ich kenn' die Regeln gut, und dass die Zunft die Regeln bewahr', bemüh' ich mich selbst schon manches Jahr. Doch einmal im Jahre fänd' ich's weise, dass man die Regeln selbst probier', ob in der Gewohnheit trägem Gleise ihr' Kraft und Leben nicht sich verlier'!" or, more briefly: "Der Regel Güte daraus man erwägt, dass sie auch 'mal 'ne Ausnahm' verträgt."

I was a bit disappointed with the SEA FAIRIES, Baum's first book to introduce the characters of Trot and Cap'n Bill. It was adequate but not up to the superlative quality I expect from L. Frank Baum. This book, however, sets things to right. It reads more like the Oz books and even includes characters such as Button Bright and Polychrome who make numerous appearances in the Oz series. It is a fun book that I enjoyed even with my youth far behind me. In this story, Trot meets Button Bright who has a magical umbrella which takes him where he wants to go. Trot, Button Bright and Cap'n Bill decide to use the umbrella to take them for a picnic out on an island just off the coast. Instead of being taken to that island, however, they wind up on and island in the sky inhabited by tow warring peoples. Our characters wind up in the middle and have to set everyone straight. It is a delightful tale which should appeal to both boys and girls.

Much as I love the Oz books (and I have all 14), THIS is my favorite Baum book. Sky Island is the continued adventures of Trot and Cap'n Bill (meet them in "The Sea Fairies", also fun) and Button Bright as they face the mighty Boolooroo of the Blues and the beautiful Queen Tourmaline of the Pinkies, Sky Island's two countries and two races. A wonderful tale, which in the process shows us how to get along with those who are different from ourselves.

Being a L.Frank Baum fan, I loved Sky Island. It is a enchanting book with the main characters as a charming little girl named Trot and a kind sailor-by name Capn' Bill. I loved this adventuras book, which involes a magic umbrella and a exciting run-in with some blularoos. I wont give the book away, but if your are thinking about giving this book to a child- (being 14 myself) I still love reading it, and its definetly worth the money and time.