Yankee in Oz

Yankee in Oz
First edition cover
AuthorRuth Plumly Thompson
IllustratorDick Martin
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Oz Books
GenreFantasy
Published1972 (International Wizard of Oz Club)
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint
Pages94 pp.
Preceded byMerry Go Round in Oz 
Followed byThe Enchanted Island of Oz 

Yankee in Oz is a 1972 novel in the Oz series by Ruth Plumly Thompson. It was the first published by The International Wizard of Oz Club.[1] The novel was originally written in 1959, but because the Oz books were not selling, it was not published.[2] A letter from the Henry Regnery Company, which bought Reilly & Lee, is reproduced in the front indicating the publisher's blessing for the new Oz book to appear.

The first two editions of the book were published in 8½ x 11 inch format and running only 94 pages. This was done at the request of illustrator Dick Martin to reduce the number of required illustrations and to show them closer to the actual size they were drawn. The second printing (1986) featured a new cover, with the first edition artwork reprinted preceding the title page. The third printing (2007) is standard Oz book size. Its cover is a gaudier redesign of the second edition cover. It is followed by sequel The Enchanted Island of Oz (1976).

The novel also features maps by James E. Haff, and as such, Thompson correctly places the Winkie Country in the west of Oz.

  1. ^ "Publication: Yankee in Oz". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved 6 February 2024. Publication Record # 328760
  2. ^ Simpson, Paul (2013). A Brief Guide to Oz. Constable & Robinson Ltd. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-47210-988-0. Retrieved 10 February 2024.