The Magical Monarch of Mo

These stories are delightful in their quirky, darkly adventurous meanderings. A root beer river, a topsy turvy land where people live upside down, a king who loses his head and a nasty witch outwitted by a beautiful young princess? What child (or adult) wouldn't be drawn into the magical (truly!) land of Mo? I read and reread these stories when I was little, amazed by the wildly imaginative characters and playful settings. I'm surprised the previous reviewer had such a disappointing encounter with this childhood favorite of mine. I would strongly recommend it. I can't, however, attest to the quality of this particular edition as I own an older one.

After having read Sea Fairies. Queen Zixi and Sky Island (all aloud to my 8-year old daughter) I was at first disappointed that this was a collection of often silly - and punny - short stories. I expected a narrative that we could look forward to advancing as the nights continued. My daughter really enjoyed it. She got caught up in the fantastic, somewhat cartoonish world ... and I found myself wondering what the next surprise might be. Why did I give it 5 stars when the Oz books, Sky Island, and Island of Yew are clearly better? Not by comparison to those books, but by comparison to the rehashed drivel you find at your bookstore. Monarch of Mo is fun, reads aloud nicely, and has more depth and innovation than almost everything you will find elsewhere. Watch your kid(s)' eyes as you read it. They can see this land and the stories unfold. P.S. No, I am not related. Wish I were.

This was one of my favorite books as a child and having recently reread it, I must say it works on an adult level as well. It's very imaginative and funny and shows what Baum could do when he let his imagination run away with him. I think it's better than any of the Oz books.

I am five years old and my grandma read me this book because she loved it when she was a little girl. It is my favouite book too because I love the names and the magic and the pictures.

This book was always at our home having been given to my mother by her mother in 1911 when my mom was 12 yrs old. I am now 61 yrs old and have read it to my children and grandchildren. From all the exciting adventures of the people of Mo and their unusual ways to Baum's originality and imagination, my listeners have been spellbound. I rate this book as more interesting to children and as creative as the "Wizard of Oz".