Since we read that the Shaggy Man's answer to the query, "What can Johnny do?" is, "Anything," I have always thought he seemed like someone who might be a recurring character later in the 40 canonical Oz books. But having made it through about 37 of those, the only place I recall him reappearing was at the gigantic gathering for Ozma's birthday banquet at the end of The Road to Oz. And he is pretty well lost in the crowd at that party. I mean, even Santa Claus shows up for that feast.
Speaking of whom, early in December, my granddaughter, Frances, requested that we take a break from reading the Oz books to re-read Baum's The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, a very different take on the origin of the old gentleman and one that my little Frannie prefers. I do recommend it to all who love the Oz books, though you might want to wait until that season comes again.
I've always loved Johnny Dooit, he's such a fun character, even though he doesn't do much. Notice how Dorothy has completely forgotten HOW Ozma knew to use the Magic Belt to get her past the Deadly Desert last time.
Yeah, I was just thinking about how BOTH Dorothy and now the Shaggy Man have magical aid they can call upon at seemingly any time (or at least, for Dorothy, daily) which could help them with any problem... but they rarely even seem to remember, let alone mention or make use of, the aid offered by these friends.
I wonder if this book might be before the last one, simply because Dorothy doesn't reference getting to Oz via earthquake or back via belt, and she doesn't mention Eureka or Zeb or Jim the Horse whatsoever either.
Since we read that the Shaggy Man's answer to the query, "What can Johnny do?" is, "Anything," I have always thought he seemed like someone who might be a recurring character later in the 40 canonical Oz books. But having made it through about 37 of those, the only place I recall him reappearing was at the gigantic gathering for Ozma's birthday banquet at the end of The Road to Oz. And he is pretty well lost in the crowd at that party. I mean, even Santa Claus shows up for that feast.
Speaking of whom, early in December, my granddaughter, Frances, requested that we take a break from reading the Oz books to re-read Baum's The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, a very different take on the origin of the old gentleman and one that my little Frannie prefers. I do recommend it to all who love the Oz books, though you might want to wait until that season comes again.
I've always loved Johnny Dooit, he's such a fun character, even though he doesn't do much. Notice how Dorothy has completely forgotten HOW Ozma knew to use the Magic Belt to get her past the Deadly Desert last time.
Yeah, I was just thinking about how BOTH Dorothy and now the Shaggy Man have magical aid they can call upon at seemingly any time (or at least, for Dorothy, daily) which could help them with any problem... but they rarely even seem to remember, let alone mention or make use of, the aid offered by these friends.
I wonder if this book might be before the last one, simply because Dorothy doesn't reference getting to Oz via earthquake or back via belt, and she doesn't mention Eureka or Zeb or Jim the Horse whatsoever either.
Johnny Dooit seems to be an antecedent of the animated cartoon character Kim Possible, who was also famed for doing "anything".