The Wishing Horse of Oz

"The Wishing Horse of Oz" by Ruth Plumly Thompson is a children’s novel written in the early 20th century. It is part of the cherished Oz series, continuing the adventures of characters from the original tales by L. Frank Baum. The story features themes of magic and adventure, primarily following the curious and sometimes comical King Skamperoo of Skampavia, alongside new characters like Chalk, a talking horse. The beginning of the novel introduces us to the self-indulgent King Skamperoo, who is displeased with the meager tribute his subjects provide. In a moment of serendipity, he acquires a magical emerald necklace that grants wishes, leading to the whimsical appearance of Chalk, a talking horse from Oz. As Skamperoo grapples with his newfound power and the merchant, Matiah, turns out to have ambitions of his own regarding the emeralds, the stage is set for a series of enchanting escapades. The opening hints at various plot threads involving theft, mystery, and the comical struggles of a ruler who yearns for glory. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Ruth Plumly Thompson was an American writer of children's stories, best known for writing many novels placed in Oz, the fictional land of L. Frank Baum's classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels.