Book info

• Title The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• Author L. Frank Baum
• Year 1900
• Genre Childrens

Swept away from her home in Kansas by a tornado, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves stranded in the fantastical Land of Oz. As instructed by the Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins, Dorothy sets off on the yellow brick road to try and find her way to the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz, who can help her get home. With her companions the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy experiences an adventure full of friendship, magic and danger.

Thoughts

I’ve read this a couple of times before, it being a kids classic, and picked it up again this time because I bought the complete Oz collection. Naturally, this was the first in the bundle, and it’s a really great way to introduce the land and the characters. Each has such unique personalities and brings something to the group, and I think that’s something kids and adults alike can resonate with.

I always wonder, reading things like this, what goes through the author’s mind when dreaming up things like the land of china dolls or the field of deadly poppies. What ideas were rejected, and what made these make the final cut?

Anyway, a friendly book, nostalgic in many ways, and a kick start to the rest of the series.

Rating: 3 / 5