Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net THE MAGICAL MIMICS IN OZ BY JACK SNOW, FOUNDED ON AND CONTINUING THE FAMOUS OZ STORIES BY L. FRANK BAUM ILLUSTRATED BY FRANK KRAMER THE REILLY & LEE CO. CHICAGO * * * * * THE MAGICAL MIMICS IN OZ COPYRIGHT 1946 BY THE REILLY & LEE CO. PRINTED IN THE U. S. A. [Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] * * * * * TO THE CHILDREN As long as I can remember, I have been reading Oz books, and now I am very proud and happy to have been permitted to write a book about the latest happenings in the Land of Oz. Mr. Kramer has made many delightful illustrations for this book, and I know you will enjoy the fun and life that he has so skillfully put into his pictures. As for the Magical Mimics, I think you will agree with me that these surprising creatures made things pretty exciting for our Oz friends while they were in the Emerald City. Nevertheless, now that the Mimics are powerless, I am inclined to forgive them; since, had it not been for them, Dorothy and the Wizard would not have discovered winsome little Ozana and her Story Blossom Garden. I hope this story pleases you and that you will write me many letters--all of which I promise to answer as soon as possible. I am sure that your suggestions and ideas will be of great help to me in writing future Oz books, and I am looking forward with much pleasure to receiving them. JACK SNOW. January 10, 1946. * * * * * _This Book Is Dedicated to_ _My Mother_ _Roselyn Hyde Snow_ "_... to please a child is a sweet and lovely thing that warms one's heart and brings its own reward._" --L. FRANK BAUM. * * * * * LIST OF CHAPTERS 1. Toto Carries a Message 2. Ozma and Glinda Go Away 3. Mount Illuso 4. The Mimics Mean Mischief 5. Prisoners of the Mimics 6. Dorothy and the Wizard Speak Strangely 7. In the Cavern of the Doomed 8. Toto Makes a Discovery 9. Mr. and Mrs. Hi-Lo 10. The Village of Pineville 11. Princess Ozana 12. Story Blossom Garden 13. The Three Swans 14. The Mimic Monarchs Lock Themselves In 15. In the Chamber of Magic 16. A Web Is Woven