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http://www.lulu.com/content/1805650 Billy Bounce Review Billy Bounce is a delightful book written by famous Oz artist W. W. Denslow with assistance from Dudley A. Bragdon. Billy Bounce had first appeared as a comic strip (bearing the same name as the book) way back in 1901. It was the first project Denslow began after the dissolution of his partnership with L. Frank Baum. When the strip faded in popularity in 1906, Denslow took his creation and wrote a childrens book featuring his bouncing boy as the star character. Denslows art throughout the book is just as whimsical as his previous efforts in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. His eye for layout and design, though seemingly simple, provide a visual treat for the reader and a true feeling of nostalgia. The story, like most childrens books of that time, reads a bit like a travelogue, which at times adds to the adventures of Billy, and at times stifles the flow of the story. Denslows preface to Billy Bounce, mimicking Baums original preface in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, states that our purpose for writing Billy Bounce is to provide fun for everyone, to remove the deceit and gore found in most

common fairy tales, and to show that frightening children with tales of bogie men and such is most assuredly cruel to children. After reading the story, I can assure readers that, for the most part, Denslow and Bragdon succeeded. Billy has one charming adventure after another, and even when you think hes a goner for sure, the dues ex machina kicks in and all is right with the world. The story begins not with Billy himself but with a stereotypical bad guy named Nickel Plate, the Polished Villian, with a long black mustache just right for twirling manically. This is a very clear warning that the book will abound in such clich characters from start to finish, which it most assuredly does. Mr. Plate, who is waiting impatiently for his aide Bumbus (a sort of bee) to return, gets an unexpected call from none other than the Bogie Man. He informs the Bogie Man that Bumbus is in the midst of kidnapping a young maiden named Honey Girl, and is to substitute the poor girl with a person named Glucose. Nickel Plate goes on to tell the Bogie Man that he expects Bumbus back at any time, then he asks the Bogie Man for a little loan. The Bogie Man hangs up on Nickel Plate at this point, apparently not wanting to hear the Polished Villian beg for money. When Nickel tries to call the Bogie Man back, he learns from the telephone operator that the Bogie Man has left orders not to connect them again. Needless to say, Nickel hangs up the phone in disgust. Then Bumbus arrives just at that particular time, and he has failed to abduct Honey Girl, to Nickel Plates chagrin. Realizing he needs to inform the Bogie Man of this kink in their plans, but unable to call him, Nickel Plate rings for a messenger boy. And in comes our star player, Billy Bounce. Billy is handed the important letter and told to deliver it to the Bogie Man at the address of In-The-Dark, Never Was. Though Billy protests he has no idea where to find such a place or person, the two villains push him out the door and leave poor Billy to his own devices. As the messenger boy wonders just how and where to begin he runs straight into the balloon maker, Mr. Gas. As it turns out, Mr. Gas is Billys Fairy Godfather (only on Sundays and weekdays we are told) and he takes Billy to his house and prepares him for his long trip to see the Bogie Man. Mr. Gas provides Billy with a rubber suit, that when inflated with an air pump, gives Billy the bounce he needs to jump high into the air and leap for miles at a time. Also given to Billy to help him as he goes is a faithful dog named

Barker and the Singing Tree, which will provide food and shelter for the young messenger boy. And off Billy Bounce goes, sailing away through the blue sky, and arriving first in Shamville. As the name of the village implies, all of its inhabitants are shams of one sort or another. Billy finally excises himself from their tomfoolery and soon runs into none other than Honey Girl, along with her Bee Army led by General Merchandise. Billy Bounce wants nothing more than to stay with Honey Girl and aide her in her time of need, but he must uphold his duty as a messenger boy and deliver the letter to the Bogie Man, Honey Girls sworn enemy. Billy departs solemnly, but not before promising that once he delivers the letter he will be back as quick as he can to defend the honor of Honey Girl. And so the adventures and puns continue at a rapid pace. The story has its moments, and at times many of the puns, gags, and clichs do bring a smile to the readers face, but there are a lot of times, too, when the puns and such wear a bit thin. It all is a tad reminiscent of Lewis Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland. I will admit to warming to many of the silly characters, especially the Neer Do Eel and his friend the Sea Urchin. And perhaps the most engaging character for me was the Witch who wasnt a Which but a Was. She lives in Superstitionburg, where she tells fortunes to unwilling customers. When asked by Billy if his fortune will come true, she simply replies, No, of course not. Then she proceeds to tell Billy he will marry a tall, short, blonde dark complected man. And so the silliness ensues. A host of other kooky characters drive Billy nuts, and even at times seem to a bit threatening, but the reader knows that Billy really isnt in harms way. That is, at least not for too long. Overall, the story is bright, fun, and entertaining. Its humor, simple and clean, is a highlight as well. But I think the story could have been served even better if Denslow had not sought to remove so much of the dark elements he found so unappealing in older fairy tales. If there had been more moments when the reader felt Billy may well be truly endangered, then I think the story would have indeed been a bit more memorable. But the book has enough merits, I think, to make any fan of Baums or Denslows happy with the tale nonetheless.