Showing results by author "L. Frank Baum" in All Categories

Mary was the beloved daughter of a sailor and his wife who lived on a hill close to the sea. She was called "Mistress Mary, quite contrary" because she was a contrary child who often did the exact opposite of what she was told. But her parents loved her and knew that she would someday grow out of this peevish behavior. One day her father and brothers set off on a long sea journey and she asked him when he would return. He replied that they would be away for the time that it took for a garden of cowslips, dingle bells, and cockle shells to sprout, grow, blossom, and wither and die away again.

That wonderful storyteller Baum, of Wizard of Oz fame, tells us the delightful story behind this little rhyme and we all will feel much better knowing that the little boy had excellent reasons to be asleep that morning. Listen and enjoy the whole nifty story. Many of our most loved nursery rhymes are complete tales in themselves, telling their story tersely but completely; others are but bare suggestions, leaving the imagination to weave in the details of the story.

This delightful story tells of the Little Bun Rabbit who is befriended by Dorothy, a little girl. She knows the rhyme and asks the little rabbit about it. Bun Rabbit tells her that indeed, he sees Santa every year as he drives by in his sleigh loaded with toys. One year Santa stopped to talk with him and ask if he would come to his workshop at the North Pole so he could use him as a model to make toy rabbits for little babies. He agrees and this is his exciting adventure with Santa. That is why so many stuffed bunny rabbits are made and given at Christmas to be loved by children everywhere.

The Black Sheep is very young so he is curious about why the farmer cuts their wool off every year. "The man and his wife spin our wool into clothes to keep them warm" was the reply of a wise old ram. The little black sheep then meets the boy who lives down the lane and hears that his mother has no money to buy him a coat and he is cold in the winter so the kind little sheep asks the farmer if he will grow enough wool for 3 bags instead of the normal two, could he have one. The farmer agrees and so this is what happens. A wonderful story all around.

In the fourth book from L. Frank Baum's beloved Oz series, an earthquake pulls Dorothy and her cousin Zeb into an underground land where they find a new series of adventures. Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz takes the heroes on a journey through the glass city of the Vegetable People, through a valley of invisible bears, and back to the land of Oz, where Dorothy's cat is put on trial for a murder she may not have committed.

Upon waking up in the Emerald City, Dorothy discovers that Princess Ozma is missing. In Quadling Country, Glinda finds that her magical Great Book of Records is also missing. She sends a message to the Wizard for help, but the Wizard cannot find his magic tools either. A search party is formed to track down the dear princess and all the missing magic. Over in Winkie Country, Cayke the Cookie Cook is missing her diamond studded golden dishpan and enlists the Yips advisor, Frogman, to assist her in locating it. Where has all the magic gone and what will become of Princess Ozma?

Enchanting, tragic, and hilarious fairy tales for adults and children grace these pages. An initial glance might lead you to assume that these are satirical versions of classic Christmas ghost stories. However, beneath the humorous stories involving ghosts, repentant sinners, miracles, and good peasants who find well-deserved happiness, lies a psychological undercurrent that sharpens the sense of intrigue and plot movement. Often this is aided by the unrelenting social exposure of the authors who always understood how intangible the "bourgeois paradise" truly was.

Perfect for families, holiday enthusiasts, and fans of classic tales, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a heartwarming audiobook that will inspire the festive spirit in listeners of all ages. Experience the magic of Santa’s origins in this beautifully narrated retelling of a holiday classic.

In The Box of Robbers, L. Frank Baum, the beloved author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, tells the whimsical and humorous tale of a young girl named Martha who stumbles upon a magical box. To her surprise, the box contains three mischievous Italian robbers who are released into her quiet home. What follows is a light-hearted and adventurous romp as Martha tries to handle the trouble caused by the bumbling thieves.

Step into the majestic, icy wilderness of the Arctic with L. Frank Baum’s enchanting tale, The King of the Polar Bears. Follow the story of the wise and powerful polar bear king, a gentle ruler whose courage and kindness earn him the respect of all Arctic creatures. But when unexpected challenges arise, the king must use his wisdom to protect his realm and those he loves.

Ojo and Unc Nunkie live in the land of Oz in Munchkin Country. Their neighbor, Dr. Pipt, has been devotedly working on the Powder of Life for many years. This magical powder will turn inanimate objects into living things. While demonstrating its power on a stuffed doll made of patchwork, Dr. Pipt accidentally turns his wife and Unc Nunkie to stone. It is up to Ojo to collect the necessary ingredients to destroy the spell and turn them back.

Prince Inga, aided by three magic pearls, is set to rule the island of Pingaree. King Rinkitink arrives with his talking goat, Bilbil, determined to take a vacation on Pingaree. Inga's father, King Kitticut, is captured by Regos' invaders along with all the rest of the people of Pingaree except for Rinkitink, Bilbil, and Inga himself.

"Mother Goose in Prose" is a collection of stories by L. Frank Baum, in which he retells popular nursery rhymes in prose form, providing imaginative backstories for each rhyme. Published in 1897, the book offers charming and whimsical explanations for how these well-known rhymes came to be. For example, the story behind "Little Bo-Peep" explores how she lost her sheep and how they eventually returned. Each tale is crafted with Baum's signature storytelling style, combining fantasy and humor, making the book a delightful read for both children and adults. This version of the book preserves the ...

“A Kidnapped Santa Claus” by L. Frank Baum, narrated by Aaron Sokalski, is a delightful and adventurous holiday tale that offers a unique twist on the story of Santa Claus. In this charming story, Santa is abducted by a group of mischief-making demons who seek to ruin Christmas by preventing him from delivering gifts to children. Baum’s inventive narrative mixes holiday magic with elements of fantasy, bringing listeners on an exciting journey to rescue Santa and save Christmas.

In The Enchanted Types, L. Frank Baum, the beloved author of The Wizard of Oz, crafts a whimsical and magical tale about Popopo, the chief of the Knooks. Tired of his peaceful life, Popopo ventures into the human world, where he encounters bustling cities and discovers a troubling fashion trend—birds are being used to decorate women’s hats! With a kind heart and a bit of magic, Popopo hatches a clever plan to free the birds and change fashion forever.

In The Capture of Father Time, L. Frank Baum spins a whimsical and imaginative tale of young Jim, a mischievous boy who, through sheer curiosity, manages to capture the legendary figure of Father Time. With time itself seemingly under his control, Jim embarks on a series of playful and chaotic adventures, unaware of the consequences of meddling with the natural order of things.