Description:
From The Road to Oz (1909):
The royal historians of Oz, who are fine writers and know any number of big words, have often tried to describe the rare beauty of Ozma and failed because the words were not good enough. So of course I cannot hope to tell you how great was the charm of this little Princess, or how her loveliness put to shame all the sparkling jewels and magnificent luxury that surrounded her in this her royal palace. Whatever else was beautiful or dainty or delightful of itself faded to dullness when contrasted with Ozma’s bewitching face, and it has often been said by those who know that no other ruler in all the world can ever hope to equal the gracious charm of her manner.
Everything about Ozma attracted one, and she inspired love and the sweetest affection rather than awe or ordinary admiration. Dorothy threw her arms around her little friend and hugged and kissed her rapturously, and Toto barked joyfully and Button-Bright smiled a happy smile and consented to sit on the soft cushions close beside the Princess.
From The Emerald City of Oz (1910):
She is said to be the most beautiful girl the world has ever known, and her heart and mind are as lovely as her person.
From The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914):
Much has been told and written concerning the beauty of person and character of this sweet girl Ruler of the Land of Oz—the richest, the happiest and most delightful fairyland of which we have any knowledge. Yet with all her queenly qualities Ozma was a real girl and enjoyed the things in life that other real girls enjoy. When she sat on her splendid emerald throne in the great Throne Room of her palace and made laws and settled disputes and tried to keep all her subjects happy and contented, she was as dignified and demure as any queen might be; but when she had thrown aside her jeweled robe of state and her scepter, and had retired to her private apartments, the girl—joyous, light-hearted and free—replaced the sedate Ruler.
In later books, Ozma and Dorothy are best friends and very rarely seen apart. Most illustrators tend to give them differently colored hair to help tell them apart; Neill’s depiction of Ozma with poppies on either side of her head has also become “traditional” (and influenced Princess Leia’s look in the original Star Wars movie).
Images (spoilers – click only if you want to see!)
How John R. Neill drew Ozma: 1 2 3 4
How Dick Martin drew Ozma: 1 2
How Eric Shanower drew Ozma: 1
How Skottie Young drew Ozma: 1 2
Oz Student Art Contest 