Ozma of Oz

Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1907)

Dorothy returns to Oz via a shipwreck, accompanied by a talking yellow hen named Billina. Together they face the terrifying Nome King and rescue the Royal Family of Ev. Often considered the best of the Oz sequels.

Historical Significance:
Published in 1907, Ozma of Oz introduced Tik-Tok (one of the earliest robots in fiction), the Hungry Tiger, and the horrifying Princess Langwidere who changes heads the way others change hats. The Nome King's throne room — where prisoners are transformed into ornaments — influenced Disney's Return to Oz (1985) and countless fantasy works. Baum was a remarkably inventive world-builder, and this third Oz book shows him at his most imaginative and darkly creative.

This public domain classic was originally published in 1907. Free to read and share.