The Land of Green Ginger, by Noel Langley

Recently, I found myself at home with nothing to read, so in a restless mood thought I'd browse our much diminished bookshelves (we have done much culling after several moves) and found a copy of Noel Langley's The Land of Green Ginger. The book's discovery was a bit of a mystery to me. Who bought it and when? I presumed it belonged to my partner, because it was a children's book with illustrations by Edward Ardizzone. A second-hand copy Puffin edition, with a hand written price of $5.50 on the first page. We were still both a bit vague about the book, thinking it may have been intended as a present for me, but settled on the fact that my partner bought it. Neither of us had read it.

So I opened and read in a desultory fashion, until the main character, Abu Ali, the son of Aladdin, speaks at only one day old. A baby that speaks so eloquently struck me as highly amusing straight away and I read on delighted. Long story short, Abu Ali grows up, quests after the hand of the beautiful Silver Bud, and is pursued by two comically evil princes, Rubdub Ben Thud and Tintac Ping Foo. 

The constant word play and magical cast of characters - Nosi Parker, Madam Mouse and Boomalakka Wee - make this a thoroughly enjoyable adventure from start to finish. The comic timing of his writing is perfect and the prose style utterly enchanting. Interestingly, it was this novel that inspired MGM to hire Langley to write the screenplay for the 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz.

I think Faber still prints this little classic. Add this to your list of essential children's literature.