The Royal Book of Oz
#15 in Oz Continued Series
What’s inside...
The Royal Book of Oz is the fifteenth book in the Oz series and the first written by Ruth Plumly Thompson after the original author L. Frank Baum's death. It focuses on the Scarecrow's journey to discover his origins after learning from Professor Woggle-bug that he has no family. Returning to the corn-field where Dorothy Gale initially found him, he uncovers his past as the King of the Silver Islands, an underground quasi-Chinese kingdom beneath the Munchkin region of Oz. Initially credited to Baum, Thompson's authorship was later acknowledged in editions from the 1980s onward. First published in 1921, this book marks the commencement of Thompson's contributions to the Oz series, which includes 19 books approved by Baum's family.
Character compass
The Scarecrow
Dorothy Gale
Cowardly Lion
Scraps The Patchwork Girl
Emperor Chang Wang Woe
Discussion points
How do you think the Scarecrow felt when he discovered his royal heritage? What would you feel if you were in his shoes?
The characters in the book embark on a journey to find the Scarecrow's family. What do you think makes a family? Who would be in your royal family?
Throughout their adventure, the friends face many challenges. Can you think of a time when you overcame a difficult situation? What did you learn from that experience?
The story takes place in fantastic lands with unique inhabitants. If you could create your own magical land, what would it be like? What kind of creatures and people would live there?
The Royal Book of Oz explores themes of identity and belonging. Why do you think knowing our history and where we come from is important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story by relating it to their own experiences. Use prompts from the book to discuss broader life lessons, such as the importance of self-discovery and the value of friendship. Highlight elements from the story, such as the diverse characters and fantastical settings, to ignite your child's imagination and foster a deeper connection with the narrative. Lastly, reinforce the joy of reading by celebrating the shared experience of discovering a new story together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of self-discovery
Explanation: In 'The Royal Book of Oz,' the character Scarecrow embarks on a journey to trace his family roots, which teaches children about understanding and embracing their own identity.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore their own family history and cultural background to build a stronger sense of self.
Example Lesson: Valuing diversity and teamwork
Explanation: The diverse group of characters in the book, including the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion, work together to overcome various challenges, showing that cooperation among individuals with different abilities is crucial.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s life by emphasizing the importance of teamwork in school projects and in sports.
Example Lesson: The significance of bravery
Explanation: Characters in the story often face fears and dangerous situations that they overcome through courage, teaching children the value of facing fears with bravery.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to face their personal fears, such as trying out for a new sport or speaking in front of a class, and learn that bravery can lead to personal growth.
Example Lesson: Appreciating the journey, not just the destination
Explanation: As the characters travel through the Land of Oz, they encounter various adventures that have their own mini-lessons, showing that the process and experiences along the way are as important as reaching the goal.
Real-World Application: Children can be taught to enjoy learning and value experiences during tasks or activities, not just completing them or achieving an end result.
Example Lesson: Leadership and responsibility
Explanation: Scarecrow learns to take responsibility as a leader in his quest to discover his heritage and in managing challenges, illustrating the aspects of good leadership.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take initiative and responsibility in group settings, such as leading a team project at school or taking charge of a household chore.