WITH "The Sea Fairies," my book for 1911, I ventured into a new
field of fairy literature and to my delight the book was received
with much approval by my former readers, many of whom have written
me that they like Trot "almost as well as Dorothy." As Dorothy was
an old, old friend and Trot a new one, I think this is very high
praise for Cap'n Bill's little companion. Cap'n Bill is also a new
character who seems to have won approval, and so both Trot and the
old sailor are again introduced in the present story, which may be
called the second of the series of adventures of Trot and Cap'n
Bill.

But you will recognize some other acquaintances in "Sky Island."
Here, for instance, is Button-Bright, who once had an adventure with
Dorothy in Oz, and without Button-Bright and his Magic Umbrella you
will see that the story of "Sky Island" could never have been
written. As Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter, lives in the sky, it
is natural that Trot and Button-Bright meet her during their
adventures there.

This story of Sky Island has stonished me considerably, and I think
it will also astonish you. The sky country is certainly a remarkable
fairland, but after reading about it I am sure you will agree with
me that our old Mother Earth is a very good place to live upon and
that Trot and Button-Bright and Cap'n Bill were fortunate to get
back to it again.

By the way, one of my little correspondents has suggested that I
print my address in this book, so that the children may know where
letters will reach me. I am doing this, as you see, and hope that
many will write to me and tell me how they like "Sky Island." My