The Forbidden Fountain of Oz

The Forbidden Fountain of Oz (1980) This novel in the Oz series, written by Eloise Jarvis McGraw and Lauren Lynn McGraw, continues the tradition of L. Frank Baum's beloved fantasy world. The story centers on Emeralda Ozgood, a young resident of the Emerald City, who unknowingly uses water from the Forbidden Fountain to make limeade for the Clover Fair. The narrative follows Princess Ozma after she drinks the forbidden water and loses her memory, leading her on an unexpected journey through Oz. Along the way, she encounters new companions including a uniquely colored lamb named Lambert and a peculiar highwayman with an unusual Suggestion Box. The book builds on the established Oz mythology while introducing new characters and locations that expand the world's boundaries. The themes of identity, memory, and the power of friendship emerge through the characters' experiences in this continuation of the classic series.

Readers view this as a solid but lesser-known Oz book. The writing captures L. Frank Baum's style and sense of whimsy, though some note it lacks the same level of imagination. Readers appreciated: - The character development of Ozma - McGraw's faithful continuation of Baum's writing style - The friendship dynamics between characters Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly in the middle sections - Resolution feels rushed - Less memorable than McGraw's other Oz book, Merry Go Round in Oz Review Data: Goodreads: 3.89/5 (56 ratings) No Amazon ratings currently available From reader reviews: "Captures the classic Oz feeling but with less sparkle than the originals" - Goodreads reviewer "A decent addition to the Oz canon but not one I'd rush to reread" - Goodreads reviewer "The characterization of Ozma makes this worth reading for Oz fans" - Fan review on Ozclub.org

The Wishing Horse of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson A quest through Oz leads to encounters with magical creatures and the search for a mystical horse with wish-granting powers.

Paradox in Oz by Edward Einhorn Time travel complications arise when Ozma must fix temporal paradoxes threatening the land of Oz.

The Giant Horse of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson A young prince transforms into a puppet while searching for a legendary giant horse in the land of Oz.

The Hidden Prince of Oz by Gina Wickwar The discovery of a lost prince sets off a journey through unknown regions of Oz with new companions and magical challenges.

The Rundelstone of Oz by Eloise Jarvis McGraw A search for a missing magical stone leads to encounters with transformation magic and forgotten Oz mysteries.

🌟 Published in 1980, this was one of the last official Oz books authorized by the Baum family trust. 🌟 Eloise Jarvis McGraw also wrote "Mara, Daughter of the Nile," which won multiple awards and is considered a classic of young adult historical fiction. 🌟 The Forbidden Fountain first appeared in L. Frank Baum's "The Magic of Oz" (1919), but its memory-erasing powers weren't fully explored until this book. 🌟 This book was co-written by Eloise Jarvis McGraw and her daughter Lauren Lynn McGraw, making it a unique mother-daughter collaboration in the Oz series. 🌟 The character of the "hedgebird" introduced in this book was inspired by a combination of a hedgehog and a bird, showcasing the McGraws' creative approach to expanding Oz's magical creatures.