TIK-TOK OF OZ

by

L. FRANK BAUM

To Louis F. Gottschalk,
whose sweet and dainty melodies
breathe the true spirit of fairyland,
this book is affectionately dedicated

To My Readers

The very marked success of my last year's fairy book, "The PatchworkGirl of Oz," convinces me that my readers like the Oz stories "best ofall," as one little girl wrote me. So here, my dears, is a new Oz storyin which is introduced Ann Soforth, the Queen of Oogaboo, whom Tik-Tokassisted in conquering our old acquaintance, the Nome King. It alsotells of Betsy Bobbin and how, after many adventures, she finallyreached the marvelous Land of Oz.

There is a play called "The Tik-Tok Man of Oz," but it is not like thisstory of "Tik-Tok of Oz," although some of the adventures recorded inthis book, as well as those in several other Oz books, are included inthe play. Those who have seen the play and those who have read theother Oz books will find in this story a lot of strange characters andadventures that they have never heard of before.

In the letters I receive from children there has been an urgent appealfor me to write a story that will take Trot and Cap'n Bill to the Landof Oz, where they will meet Dorothy and Ozma. Also they thinkButton-Bright ought to get acquainted with Ojo the Lucky. As you know,I am obliged to talk these matters over with Dorothy by means of the"wireless," for that is the only way I can communicate with the Land ofOz. When I asked her about this idea, she replied: "Why, haven't youheard?" I said "No." "Well," came the message over the wireless, "I'lltell you all about it, by and by, and then you can make a book of thatstory for the children to read."

So, if Dorothy keeps her word and I am permitted to write another Ozbook, you will probably discover how all these characters came togetherin the famous Emerald City. Meantime, I want to tell all my littlefriends—whose numbers are increasing by many thousands everyyear—that I am very grateful for the favor they have shown my booksand for the delightful little letters I am constantly receiving. I amalmost sure that I have as many friends among the children of Americaas any story writer alive; and this, of course, makes me very proud andhappy.

L. Frank Baum.

"OZCOT"
     at HOLLYWOOD
         in CALIFORNIA,
             1914.

LIST OF CHAPTERS