Tag Archives: camels

The Sins of Silver Island

The Royal Book of Oz, by Ruth Plumly Thompson – I’d gotten into the habit a few years ago of starting to reread the hundredth-anniversary Oz book around L. Frank Baum’s birthday, 15 May. Since the last one was published … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Book Reviews, Characters, Families, History, Humor, Japan, L. Frank Baum, Language, Magic, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Prejudice, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Companimals

Animal companions are a recurring theme in the Oz books, starting with Dorothy’s dog Toto. Kids reading the books were likely used to pets, so it makes sense. Since animals talk in Oz, however, some animal characters are more equal … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Characters, L. Frank Baum, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Rachel Cosgrove Payes, Relationships, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Santanimals

According to the annoyingly catchy Christmas novelty song “Dominick the Donkey,” Santa Claus rides a donkey because “the reindeer cannot climb the hills of Italy.” But can’t the reindeer fly, in which case hills would be more or less irrelevant? … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Art, Christianity, Christmas, Finnish, Holidays, Music, Mythology, Norse, Poetry, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

All’s Fair in Oz

It’s interesting how much of the Oz series can be seen as referencing circuses and fairs. I guess it’s not surprising for children’s books of the time (or, really, even today, although the traditional circus is severely waning in popularity). … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Characters, Dick Martin, Eloise Jarvis McGraw, L. Frank Baum, Monsters, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bearing Gifts We Traverse Afar

Today is Epiphany or Three Kings Day (although it might not be anymore by the time I’ve finished this post, at least not in this time zone), the celebration of the wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. Well, … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Authors, Catholicism, Christianity, Christmas, Christopher Moore, Eastern Orthodox, Holidays, Magic, Mythology, Prejudice, Religion, Zoroastrianism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Serendipity, My Dear Watson

The daily e-mail I get from Wikipedia mentioned about a week ago that the word “serendipity” was first used in a letter Horace Walpole dated 28 January 1754. The word has come to signify unintended good fortune, but where did … Continue reading

Posted in Etymology, Fairy Tales, History, Iran, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ozama Care

Since I’m sure you’ve had enough talk about Osama bin Laden, what about some on Ozamaland instead? This country shows up in Captain Salt in Oz, although it had a brief mention in the earlier Pirates in Oz as well. … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments