Rinkitink in Oz (1916)
In the introduction, Baum warns readers, "I think you will find this story quite different from the other histories of Oz." He’s right. Although the Land of Oz is mentioned in the story’s opening line, it doesn’t come up again until Chapter 17. The pages in between tell the story of Prince Inga, who lives on an island far away from Oz. When his parents are captured by invaders, he sets off to rescue them with the help of the fat, jolly King Rinkitink, a surly talking goat named Bilbil, and three pearls that give him magical powers. Inga’s adventures take him to far-off islands, to the dark caverns of the Nome King’s lair, and yes, finally to Oz.
The best part: The banter between cheerful, absent-minded Rinkitink and the grumpy Bilbil.
Why you should read it: New characters and new settings are given an Ozzy twist.
The Lost Princess of Oz (1917)
Dorothy and all of her friends are back, and they’re victims of the biggest crime spree ever to hit Oz. Glinda’s Book of Records is gone, the Wizard can’t find his magical tools, Cayke the Cookie Cook has lost her diamond-studded dishpan, and worst of all, Princess Ozma has been kidnapped. The Oz gang sets off to look for the stolen princess, and their travels take them across the Merry-Go-Round Mountains and to cities populated by thistle-eaters and freakishly strong people who make giants their slaves. They also meet up with the splendidly dressed Frogman and the Big Lavender Bear, who help them find the thief and return Ozma to the Emerald City.
The best part: The visit to Bear Center, home to hundreds of multi-colored teddy bears armed with toy pop guns.
Why you should read it: It’s a page-turning mystery set entirely in Oz.
The Tin Woodman of Oz (1918)
Once upon a time, the Tin Woodman was a man named Nick Chopper who was in love with a beautiful Munchkin girl named Nimmie Amee. A witch’s curse on Nick’s axe caused him to hack himself to pieces. He had his body replaced with a new tin one that lacked a heart ... and you know the rest of that story. In the twelfth book in the Oz series, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and a boy named Woot set out to find the Tin Woodman’s long-lost love. Their journey is filled with strange adventures, such as an encounter with a giantess who turns them into animals and a sighting of a man with twenty legs. Do Nick and Nimmie end up together in the end? Yes ... and no.
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