L. Frank Baum 
Tik-Tok of Oz 

Tik-Tok of Oz is the eighth book in L. Frank Baum’s "Oz" series, and it follows the adventures of a young girl named Betsy Bobbin and her friend, the mechanical man Tik-Tok. Betsy and her loyal mule, Hank, are traveling through the land of Oz when they come across a group of creatures called the Rose Kingdom. The Rose Princess, Ozga, tells Betsy that her kingdom has been taken over by the wicked Queen Ann Soforth of the neighboring kingdom of Oogaboo. Queen Ann Soforth is determined to conquer all of Oz and declares war on the other kingdoms Betsy, Hank, and Tik-Tok decide to help the Rose Kingdom and set out on a journey to stop Queen Ann Soforth. Along the way, they meet other characters from the previous Oz books, such as the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, who join their quest. As they travel through Oz, Betsy and her friends encounter many obstacles, including giant spiders, flying dragons, and a deadly whirlpool. However, they eventually reach the kingdom of Oogaboo and confront Queen Ann Soforth. After a battle, the Queen is defeated, and peace is restored to the land of Oz. Betsy and her friends return to the Rose Kingdom, where they are celebrated as heroes. In the end, Tik-Tok is granted the gift of speech, and he and Betsy become good friends. "Tik-Tok of Oz" is a classic adventure story that explores themes of friendship, courage, and the power of teamwork. The book is filled with imaginative characters and fantastical landscapes, making it a beloved addition to the Oz series.