The Magical Monarch of Mo 1 – Baum · Verses Across
Literature · Fantasy
The Magical Monarch of Mo 1To the Reader
18
Literature · Fantasy
The Magical Monarch of Mo 1
To the Reader
BaumEnglish
This book has been written for children. I have no shame in acknowledging that I, who wrote it, am also a child; for since I can remember my eyes have always grown big at tales of the marvelous, and my heart is still accustomed to go pit-a-pat when I read of impossible adventures. It is the nature of children to scorn realities, which crowd into their lives all too quickly with advancing years. Childhood is the time for fables, for dreams, for joy.
These stories are not true; they could no be true and be so marvelous. No one is expected to believe them; they were meant to excite laughter and to gladden the heart.
Perhaps some of those big, grown-up people will poke fun of us--at you for reading these nonsense tales of the Magical Monarch, and at me for writing them. Never mind. Many of the big folk are still children--even as you and I. We cannot measure a child by a standard of size or age. The big folk who are children will be our comrades; the others we need not consider at all, for they are self-exiled from our domain.
L. FRANK BAUM.
June, 1903.
THE FIRST SURPRISE
The Beautiful Valley of Mo
THE SECOND SURPRISE
The Strange Adventures of the King's Head
THE THIRD SURPRISE
The Tramp Dog and the Monarch's Lost Temper
THE FOURTH SURPRISE
The Peculiar Pains of Fruit Cake Island
THE FIFTH SURPRISE
The Monarch Celebrates His Birthday
THE SIXTH SURPRISE
King Scowleyow and His Cast-Iron Man
THE SEVENTH SURPRISE
Timtom and the Princess Pattycake
THE EIGHTH SURPRISE
The Bravery of Prince Jollikin
THE NINTH SURPRISE
The Wizard and the Princess
THE TENTH SURPRISE
The Duchess Bredenbutta's Visit to Turvyland
THE ELEVENTH SURPRISE
Prince Fiddlecumdoo and the Giant
THE TWELFTH SURPRISE
The Land of the Civilized Monkeys
THE THIRTEENTH SURPRISE
The Stolen Plum-Pudding
THE FOURTEENTH SURPRISE
The Punishment of the Purple Dragon
