Magician of Oz

Magician of Oz Trilogy

Volume 1: Magician of Oz:

New characters and creatures abound in the old Land of Oz while many of the old characters we know and love make their own appearances in this newest tale of fantasy, adventure, truth and friendship in a familiar, yet not so familiar world of Oz.

There's the Leader of the Sycamores, the Gnarled Scrub Oak, the Flowering Plum Tree and the Council of Trees. All of these magical and strange characters prove quite the challenge for a young magician who finds himself in a strange and wonderful land.

Of course, we also get to meet Dorothy and Ozma, Glinda and the Tin Woodman, as well as Toto, Bungle the Glass Cat, Billina the Hen and numerous other beloved characters from L.Frank Baums' original tale of wonder and magic.

Volume 2: Shadow Demon of Oz

It was in the early month of Spring when the old humpback trunk of O.Z. Diggs, the original Wizard of Oz was opened by his great grandson, Jamie Diggs, revealing a magical heritage lurking within.
Following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, a young boy named Jamie pursued the ways of magic and soon found himself transported to the magical Land of Oz where, alongside Dorothy, he faced his greatest fears and the fearsome Army of Trees in defense of the Tin Woodman.
Now the young magician is called to return to the Land of Oz to take his place as the new Royal Magician of Princess Ozma; Ruler and Sovereign of Oz.
And for his first Royal Command, Princess Ozma sends her Royal Magician and his best friend Buddy off to battle the Evil Shadow Demon and save the Hyups of Mount Munch.

Volume 3: Family of Oz

It has been nearly 6 months since young Jamie Diggs returned from the Land of Oz with his best friend Buddy after defeating an ancient Evil while serving as Princess Ozma's new Royal Magician.
Now, he is called to return once more and take his rightful place alongside Her Majesty; Princess Ozma and Glinda; Good Witch and Ruler of the South Quadling Country, as well as Princess Dorothy.
Before the Royal Magician can return to Oz however, he finds himself on a fantastic journey down the Wabash River and a stop in Huntington, West Virginia for a taste of the legendary Stewart's Original Hot Dogs and Root Beer. Then it’s on to attend the annual gathering of their fellow magicians, known as the Magi-Fest and a tumultuous Close-Up Magic Competition. Soon, the Family Diggs, Hank and Buddy find themselves transported back to Oz by way of The Duke's Magic Box. The only problem they find is that each one of them now find themselves somewhere in Oz... but alone!
As the Family Diggs, Hank and Buddy journey along the roadways, riverways and even above the Land of Oz alone, each one struggles to discover what Love and family means to them and each learns along the way that Love and family have been with them all along. Aided by Her Majesty, the Queen of the Field Mice and Jamie's wayward, living decks of playing cards, as well as Buddy and the Cowardly Lion, the Royal Magician of Oz soon teaches Princess Ozma the true meaning of family and Love.
In a final and most fantastical battle alongside the Munchkin River, Jamie Diggs and his new army of friends battle Cobbler the Dog, a new and most mechanical pet of Tik-Tok, the Mechanical Army of Oz and an Unwilling Villain in an epic struggle of Good against Evil.

Friday, April 19, 2013

#AtoZChallenge : Quox; An Ozian Dragon of Quixotic Distinction!

Quaint as it may seem, this is the 3rd Friday of April, so today's post is brought to you by the letter Q!

It turns out that even the Land of Oz had dragons and this particular one is named Quox.

The Oz Wikia has the following information about Quox.

"Although Quox is young, by dragon standards, he is very large. At the time of his encounter with Betsy Bobbin and company he was a mere three thousand fifty-five years old. His body is a lovely sky-blue color and thickly set with glittering silver scales, each as big as a serving tray. His head and face are not especially ugly for a dragon, but his eyes are so large that it takes a long time to wink. Whenever he smiles he shows sharp, terrible teeth. His nostrils are large and wide, and his breath smells of brimstone. His voice is a little gruff, but not unpleasant. An electric light is attached to the end of his tail."

Looks like Quox knows all about eggs being poison to Gnomes.

Only in Oz would a dragon have an electric light attached to the end of his tail. Go figure?
James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison of Oz

Thursday, April 18, 2013

#AtoZChallenge : Patchwork Girl of Oz in the Silent Era!

Perhaps it was Serendipity or the spirit of the Royal Historian, but I happened across a silent film called "The Patchwork Girl of Oz," which is quite fortunate since today is the third Thursday in April, thus today's blog posting is brought to you by the letter P.

The Patchwork Girl of Oz is the seventh book in L. Frank Baum's Oz book series and was published in 1913.

The Patchwork Girl of Oz was also one of the four Baum books that he turned into movies by the Oz Film Manufacturing Company in 1914 and 1915. Sadly, his business went belly-up, mostly due to bad business partners.

Anyone who knows me knows that I simply love silent films and this one is a particularly odd one, which makes me love it even more!

If you've got a spare 50 minutes, sit down and watch this very strange adaptation of The Patchwork Girl of Oz.

In addition, it is this very book that I have drawn upon for some of the elements of my wife and I's first book as co-authors which we are calling The Emerald Slippers of Oz.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison of Oz

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

#AtoZChallenge : Ozma of Oz and Some Familiar Scenes!

Only at this late an hour can I remind myself that this is still the 3rd Wednesday of April, which can mean only one thing...

Today's blog post is brought to you by the letter O!

Ozma of Oz was L. Frank Baum's 3rd novel as Royal Historian of Oz. Written in 1907, it continued John R. Neill's illustrating relationship with Mr. Baum

Interesting to note that Ozma looks a bit older now. I'm especially fond of this color plate of Her Majesty, Princess Ozma; Ruler of Oz, that appears in the opening pages.

The story will look a bit familiar because the 1985 Disney Wizard of Oz sequel, Return to Oz, contained many elements from this fine story.

Dorothy makes her way back to Oz in a chicken crate with a hen named Billina while on their way to Australia.

Once she finds dry land, the fun begins!

There's even the conveniently placed Lunch Pail Tree.

And then there's the Wheelers!

What a creature!! He leaves'em choking on his dust!

Soon, Dorothy finds Tik-Tok and winds him up. Any of this looking familiar yet?

Now, this part of the story didn't make it into the Disney film, though I sorely wish it had.

Mr. Tinker, one of the builders of Tik-Tok, builds a ladder to the Moon and vanishes from Oz. He is also the Head Tinker in Disney's new Oz film, Oz the Great and Powerful, which would have been before he left for the Moon.

Then there's the capture of the Wheeler and off to Langwidere's Castle with said Wheeler in tow.

And then there were all those heads!!!

All this in a single day!!! What a World of Oz it is! And wouldn't you know it, Ozma shows up, traversing the Deadly Desert on a rolling carpet in a chariot pulled by the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger the next day and then the adventures really begin!

After a time, there are nomes...

Nome Kings...

And poison eggs! Oh my!!!

And finally, Glinda makes an appearance, as does the Magic Belt, which Dorothy loves to use...

The owls must be thinking..."Give a hoot, don't pollute!"

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison of Oz

#AtoZChallenge : Nine Tiny Piglets from the Land of Oz!

Not knowing what else to blog about and seeing as it is once again past midnight after my return from the auction, I'll focus on a little known set of creatures from the Land of Oz. Why?

Because today is the 3rd Tuesday of April, so today's blog posting is brought to you by the letter N!

In L. Frank Baum's 4th book about the Land of Oz entitled: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz and written in 1904, the Wizard of Oz returns from his adventures back in the Great Outside, which is what the citizens of Oz call our world.

As you can see from the book cover, which was illustrated by John R. Neill, the Wizard of Oz has nine little piglets on his person.

Quoting the Oz Wikia website, which is a fountain of great information about Oz;

"The Piglets are small and white, and are no bigger than mice. They are from the Island of Teenty-Weent where everything is small. The Wizard acquired them from a sailor in Los Angeles in exchange for nine tickets to the circus.
Princess Ozma was so enamoured of the Tiny Piglets that the Wizard gave her one as a pet. (Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz)

However, Professor and Mrs. Swine, the parents of the nine piglets, met the Tin Woodman and told him that they had given their nine children to the Wizard of Oz so he would care for them and educate them. (The Tin Woodman of Oz)

The Wizard's account to Dorothy may have been a playful exaggeration."

Within the book, there is even a chapter (17) devoted to these fine little piglets.

And, as the Oz Wikia states, Princess ozma recieves one as a pet.

Every time I see an illustration of the Wizard, he is wearing some fine, stylin' clothes, but his hairstyle leaves a lot to be desired.

James C. Wallace II

Royal Liaison of Oz

Monday, April 15, 2013

#AtoZChallenge : Magic of Oz and Pyrzqxgl!

Monday has seen a most disturbing event in Boston, but I feel that to give in and forgo our regular routines is to give victory to those who would commit these cowardly acts. I refuse to do that, and so today's blog posting is brought to you by the letter M!

The Magic of Oz was L. Frank Baum's 13th book about the Land of Oz and was published on June 7th, 1919, a month and a day after his death.

I thought I would show the endpapers, which are very unique and once again show off the talents of John R. Neill, the illlustrator who would go on to become a Royal Historian of Oz, following Ruth Plumly Thompson's work as said Historian.

This story starts out on top pf Mount Munch, the highest mountian in Oz, which borders the Shifting Sands and is home to the Hyups, who live on top.

Turns out a young man of the Hyups named Kiki Aru has discovered a means of transforming people and objects, by speaking (and correctly pronouncing) the word Pyrzqxgl. I have no idea how to pronounce it, but if I did, you can bet I would use it on some people I know who are in need of a good transformation.

Once again, Scraps, the Patchwork Girl and favorite character of my friend, Dennis Anfuso, makes an appearance while Kiki starts transforming everyone in sight into various animals and such.

At some point, Kiki transforms himself and Ruggedo, the Gnome King, into two very strange creatures called: Li-Mon-Eags.

These two wind up spreading rumors of war and such among the animals of the forests and generally creating havoc.

The animals, actually transformed humans such as Dorothy, the Wizard of Oz, along with the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger get together to discuss the rumors of war, which Oz is generally not used to.

Finally, the Wogglebug shows up to add in his two cents worth and help save the day. Now that is one stylin' outfit and special hat!

And of course, a happy ending for all, even the Gnome King and Kiki Aru, both of whom are made to drink from the Forbidden Fountain and lose their memories.

This is perhaps my favorite Oz book and many of the elements here served as inspiration for Shadow Demon of Oz, including the Hyups and Mount Munch. It was also during the writing of Shadow Demon of Oz that our beloved granddaughter, Heavenlee was paralyzed in a car crash and I found myself writing her into the story as a means of healing my very deep emotional pain. It's amazing how much Oz can do to affect our lives in many positives ways.

James C. Wallace II

Royal Liaison of Oz

Who is the Royal Liaison of Oz

My name is James C. Wallace II and I am the Royal Liaison of Oz.

I was born one day short of the 41st anniversary of the passing of Lyman Frank Baum, the kind gentleman who wrote The Wizard of Oz over a hundred years ago.

I grew up in a loving household where my parents read to me on a daily basis and taught me the joy of reading. Many a night I recall sitting in our front room as my mother would read from the many books of Oz and my father would act out some of the odd scenes pictured within.

As I grew up, my love for reading never diminished and my parents support for my love of reading never wavered. In addition, I was fortunate enough to encounter a number of mentors who would shape my view of the world and how I would find my way in it.

In particular was Captain Kangaroo, otherwise known as Bob Keeshan. His unique program was instrumental in shaping my mind towards the joy of learning.

Another was Clyde Crashcup, an odd cartoon character who inspired me to become a scientist and educator. Despite what many psychologists would have you believe, television did not rot my brain. In fact, my fondest memories of childhood were of Saturday mornings in front of the TV machine watching the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour and eating Captain Crunch with Crunchberries cereal.

Another mentor was a NASA scientist; Gene Shoemaker, who, by correspondence inspired me to be an astronomer. This was during the late 60's and early 70's when NASA was king of the hill, so to speak.

The most important mentor was my father, who inspired me to try everything and learn from those experiences. He got me involved in Toastmasters International and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Those two organizations were directly responsible for much of my success as a public speaker and educator.

Fast forward to the mid-80's and my love of reading is now manifested in the lives of my 5 children as I read countless books to them, including the 14 books of Oz written by L. Frank Baum.

During this time, I am also completing my college education in Physics and running a public observatory teaching children about the night sky. This time is where the seeds of working for children's issues began for me.

Following my tenure at Indiana State University, I took a position as Planetarium Educator for The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

By the way, if I haven't mentioned it before, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the finest children's museum anywhere in the world. If you've visited there, you'll certainly agree. If you haven't, please make the time to do so. You'll not be disappointed. Be sure to visit SpaceQuest Planetarium at the museum. It's the best part of the museum.

Anyway, during my time there, I made it a point to be a mentor to youth volunteers and thus found my calling. To impact the lives of children in a positive manner is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. It was during this period that I became involved with junior high school children in the inner city region of Indianapolis.

One day, while engaged in testing some educational software about Geography for 6th graders, I encountered quite a number of children who could not read, literally. It's one thing to suggest that there are kids in America who cannot read. It's quite another to come face-to-face with them.
I found myself at the end of the day sitting in my car in the parking lot shaking with remorse and resolving to do something about what I had just witnessed.
I then spent the next year in various teachers lounges having lunch with teachers and trying to understand how they could allow a child to go through school without mastering the art of reading.
Although some teachers cared deeply about their students, many cared only for their paycheck and thought little of the impact their negligence and disregard for the future of the next generation caused. This was reinforced by a school administration hamstrung by budget concerns and state-mandated test scores.

As a result, today's child has lost the art of reading. No longer do children sit down to read a book, to linger within the world of fiction and fantasy. Nowadays, kids are glued to the computer screen and read in snippets. In fact, with the advent of text messages, most kids now understand a truncated language that would have Daniel Webster spinning in his grave.

Only in the last few years has the Harry Potter effect taken hold and inspired kids to pick up the traditional book and immerse themselves in another world.
Despite this momentary reawakening, most kids still reach for the cel phone and communicate with their thumbs. Most kids would have trouble taking the time to sit down with a good book and giving themselves over to the realm of fantasy. They prefer the instant gratification that comes with a world overflowing with technology.

The book has become a lost art, and with that thought in mind, I chose to reinvigorate the original dream of L. Frank Baum.

In writing about young Jamie Diggs, the great grandson of O.Z. Diggs, the original Wizard of Oz, my most sincere desire is that children will pick up my book and rediscover the joy of reading.
If only a single child comes to understand and appreciate the joy of reading, then I have achieved my dream.
If, by writing about this wonderful land and all of its unique characters, I can inspire children and introduce them to the joy of reading, even if it be only a single child, I will have made an impact that reaches far beyond my own lifetime.

To this end, I have committed all my efforts towards creating an environment where kids will want to pick up that book and put aside that cel phone for a few moments. If I can serve as a mentor promoting Literacy to our youth, then I will have realized my dream.

The First Witches of Oz

Nomes of Oz

Even More Tails of Oz

Tails of Oz

The Emerald Slippers of Oz

Magician of Oz

Shadow Demon of Oz

Family of Oz

The Ozian Adventure of Pickleless & Blu

The Wonderful World of Oz

Followers

Magician of Oz Trilogy

The Royal Liaison of Oz

The Archives of Ozma's Royal Liaison

NanoWrimo 2014

NanoWrimo 2013

Nanowrimo 2012

Nanowrimo2011

Nanowrimo 2010

Nanowrimo 2009

Shadow of Oz 2015