Two More Buckethead Books

There's two more books that I read after getting home from Winkies this year.

I'd actually tried to read The Flying Bus of Oz by Ruth Morris on my trip, but for some reason, I was so tired and groggy that the book made no sense to me whatsoever. However, after I got home, I tried it again in a normal state of mind and found it to be a much better read.

Prince Robin of the Ozian kingdom of the Noyzy Boyz is not interested in being a Noyzy Boy at all! His father has his magician discover what can be done. The solution involves bringing a girl named Joy Morris from the Great Outside World, so when she's picked up by the school bus one day, the bus flies away to Oz! It's up to her sister Corinne, her brothers Doug and Peter and her doll Shrinky to hop on a magic carpet and go to Oz to save her!

The story is actually a lot of fun, even though, you realize, the Morrises are actually the author's family. However, rather than making the family the special people who Oz needs, they just visit Oz and have an adventure like any other visitor in the Oz books.

Get your copy here.

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The Crocheted Cat in Oz by Hugh Pendexter III is a follow-up to Pendexter's non-Oz book Tales of the Crocheted Cat. The Wiseman from Crocheted Cat peeks in on Oz and witnesses a Wicked Golden Witch lurking around Oz as Ozma prepares to celebrate another birthday. He sends his Indian assistant boy Badger, Theobald the Crocheted Cat and Hannibal the poodle to Oz to stop her.

Arriving in Oz, the Witch spots them and turns Badger into... a badger. Hurrying to the Emerald City, they witness the Witch stealing one of Ozma's presents, then they chase her as she high-tails it to Ev!

It will take some cunning and some help from Oz (including a now-giant vulture named Yeksh), Theobald and his friend head to Ev themselves to stop the Witch once and for all!

This is a well-written book, and the pictures by Caroline G. Taber are gorgeous! Well-recommended.

Get your copy here.

More Oz books

Here are some reviews of two Oz books I've read recently. Again, they are both published by Chris Dulabone, though the first one is a later one by Tails of the Cowardly Lion and Friends, while the second is an earlier book from Buckethead Enterprises of Oz.

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Dr. Angelina Bean in Oz is by Ruth Morris, and is a follow up to her earlier Oz book, The Flying Bus in Oz. I haven't read that one, but the back cover of this book advertises that one with enough information to fill you in on anything that goes on in it that this story doesn't.

A little girl named Joy has her two dolls Angelina and Mellie. Angelina is considered to be the smarter of the two dolls, and even claims she has fourteen Ph.Ds, meaning she's Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Angelina Bean. Joy has all the Oz books and visited in Flying Bus. Angelina reads the Oz books and feels Ruggedo was woefully mistreated in them, and wants to go to Oz to help Ruggedo finally get the justice he deserves. Through a surprise gift, Joy, Angelina, and Mellie soon find themselves in Oz, where Angelina starts looking for Ruggedo, much to Joy's disappointment.

Surprisingly, Ruggedo is looking for Angelina. He has his own plans in mind and asked a magic lake to show him his perfect ally: Dr. Bean. What does Ruggedo plan to do? Is Angelina thinking properly? Will everything turn out all right?

The story is rather fun, even though it branches off into some very... well... girly stops. (A place where they have tea parties over and over, and time even stops outside so they can have as many as they want without losing any time. ... Seriously?) There's some other really interesting stops, including some rather elitist communities.

The book is illustrated by Dr. Corrine Morris, who uses one of the simpler art styles seen in these books. It's charming nonetheless.

You can get a copy here.

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The Healing Power of Oz by Gil S. Joel finds four convicts (and a dog) escaping down a tunnel into Oz, where Ozma and the Wizard use their magic and kindness to try to reform them. Most are successful: McKinley Ronald Nixon and Break Inman simply needed a fresh start, which the Wizard uses connections to the FBI to ensure they get.

A more intimate reformation likes in the story of Coke Kane, a drug addict who is transformed into a giant playing card, specifically, the King of Spades. He manages to enjoy his new life, and the companionship of Ozma's confidant Jennifer.

However, one Willie Lie proves a tough one to reform as he doesn't care to be reformed and flatly lies to Ozma. In fact, he even tricks Spades to take him to Ev where he meets with Kaliko who has some rather nasty plans for Oz.

So, can Willie be reformed? Will Ozma stop Kaliko's evil scheme in time?

The book is rather good story, though I must admit I didn't care for how the Nomes were handled.

Marcus Mebes illustrated, and I think this is one of his best illustration jobs, from the few I've seen.

You can get a copy here.