The Wishing Horse of Oz

The Wishing Horse of Oz is the twenty-ninth book in the Oz series and the fifteenth written by Ruth Plumly Thompson. The story takes place in both the kingdom of Skampavia and the familiar land of Oz, featuring a mix of new characters and beloved inhabitants of the Emerald City. King Skamperoo of Skampavia comes into possession of magical emerald necklaces and receives a talking horse named Chalk. The plot centers on Skamperoo's attempt to take control of Oz through magical means, while Dorothy and a flying pig named Pigasus work to restore the rightful rule of Princess Ozma. The novel builds on the established Oz mythology while introducing new regions and characters into the canon. Thompson's contribution marked a milestone as she surpassed L. Frank Baum's number of Oz books with this installment. The story explores themes of loyalty, memory, and legitimate authority, continuing the Oz tradition of combining fantasy adventure with questions about power and leadership. The narrative maintains the series' balance between whimsy and more serious elements that appeal to both children and adults.

Readers describe The Wishing Horse of Oz as a lighter, more whimsical entry in Thompson's Oz books. Many found it less memorable than her other works but still entertaining. Liked: - The introduction of Skamps the horse - Fast-paced adventure elements - Humor and wordplay throughout - Fresh perspective on familiar Oz locations Disliked: - Plot relies heavily on coincidence - Some characters feel underdeveloped - Less complex than other Thompson Oz books - Several readers note it feels "rushed" compared to her earlier works Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) One reader on Goodreads wrote: "A simpler story than Thompson usually delivers, but the horse character adds charm." Another noted: "The narrative moves quickly but doesn't leave much impact." LibraryThing reviewers ranked it in the middle tier of Thompson's Oz books, with an average rating of 3.5/5 (18 ratings).

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards Three children embark on a quest through a magical realm to find a mythical creature with help from an eccentric professor.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster A boy travels through a gateway into a land of wordplay, numbers, and peculiar characters who teach him about the value of learning and imagination.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs An orphan moves to his uncle's mysterious house and discovers a world of magic, witches, and a clock that could bring about the end of the world.

The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Weston A boy shrinks to miniature size to enter a medieval castle world where he must complete a quest to save both the magical realm and his own world.

The Thirteen Clocks by James Thurber A prince must complete impossible tasks in a kingdom where time stands still to win the hand of a princess and defeat an evil duke.

🔮 Ruth Plumly Thompson wrote 19 of the 40 canonical Oz books, more than original creator L. Frank Baum himself. 🐎 The character of Chalk the talking horse was inspired by Thompson's childhood love of carousel horses and her fascination with circus performers. 📚 "The Wishing Horse of Oz" was published in 1935 during the height of the Great Depression, offering readers a much-needed escape into fantasy. 🎨 The book's original illustrations were created by John R. Neill, who illustrated 35 Oz books in total, defining the visual style of Oz for generations. 🌈 This was one of the final Oz books published by Reilly & Lee, the original publisher of the series, before they began scaling back production due to wartime paper shortages.