The story is told in flashback and explains how the Tin Castle of the Tin Woodman was built.
While fine tinsmiths are at work, the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow joined by a Winkie boy named Gelh to go to the Munchkin Forest to collect used cocoons made by the tintipillars when they turn into tinselflies. These cocoons can be unraveled into thread, then woven into cloth to make comfortable tin cushions and beds for the castle.
Meanwhile, tinsmith Timorous has designed a model for the Castle, one of three, and he's anxious to know which one the Tin Woodman will pick, and he sets out to find the Tin Woodman to get a decision so work can begin on the castle as soon as possible.
Peter Schulenberg introduces a whimsical cast of new characters. Aside from Gelh and Timorous, there is also Mort, a man made of yellow bricks who maintains the yellow brick road, giant friendly mosquitoes, a rubber rabbit named Rupart, talking Lanif trees, the tintipillars, and a rat named Packey Rat.
As whimsical and fun as the story is, I didn't feel so into the story as I did with other stories: the reason being there is no threat presented to the characters. There is no villain, just a variety of problems for them to solve, which they do, usually ahead of time, or the answer unveils itself. It's not that it's bad, but it flows too smoothly with no friction between anyone, so there's little to grasp the reader's attention. Or at least, mine. I did feel some of the problems encountered could have been rearranged for a better suspense, but as it is, the book is out and there's no changing it now.
So, if you want a story explaining how the Tin Woodman got his Castle, here you go. It's a fun, sweet story, but not very exciting.
Get your copy from Tails of the Cowardly Lion and Friends.
The follow-up, Corn Mansion, improves on some of these points. It's about the building of the Scarecrow's mansion, but there's more story beyond that. I'd say it's probably worth a read.
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