The Marvelous Land of Oz, by L. Frank Baum

In an opening note, L. Frank Baum writes that many of his readers had written to him requesting a follow-up to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. They especially requested a story featuring the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow. Baum writes that it only took him four years, suggesting a touch of writer's block. 

The Marvelous Land of Oz is not really a sequel to the original book. The heroine, Dorothy Gale, makes no appearance, but is spoken of by the Tin Woodman and Scarecrow. Instead the story centres around a young orphan boy named Tip. He is the charge of a wicked witch named Mombi. She is a mean guardian  and Tip longs to escape her clutches. To try and scare her, hence giving her a taste of her own medicine, Tip carves a scary face into a pumpkin and builds it a body out of tree branches and twigs. He names his invention Jack Pumpkinhead. But Mombi is too clever by half. She realises what Tip has been up to, and throws some magic powder over the pumpkin head, thus bringing it to life. The plan backfires on Mombi, as Tip and Jack Pumpkinhead escape together. This leads to an adventure in Emerald City, where the Scarecrow now reigns as king. Alas, all is not well, as a rebel army of young girls marches on the king's palace, forcing the Scarecrow to flee. The group - Tip, Jack, Scarecrow and an animated Sawhorse - decide to seek protection in the Winkie Kingdom, where the Tin Woodman is emperor. More adventures ensue, with the introduction a bizarre character called Woggle Bug, and a surprise ending when Tip's true identity is revealed. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment in the Oz series. It's been many years since I read the first book, of which I wasn't the biggest fan. I fear the famous film overshadowed the book. But The Marvelous Land of Oz was an absolute delight and often quite funny - especially the army of rebellious girls, sick of doing housework. Their leader, Jinjur, assures a worried Tip and company that the looming was will be "pleasant". That is, entirely peaceful. (They use knitting needles as a weaponry.) 

Perfect children's storytelling. I am tempted to read the third book now...