The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

L. Frank Baum

Dorothy lives in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. When a tornado sweeps through the farmland, Aunt Em and Uncle Henry get into the tornado cellar, but Dorothy and her dog Toto are inside the small farmhouse when the tornado hits. The house, Dorothy, and Toto are pulled up into the twister. When it finally puts them back down, they are far from Kansas. Dorothy finds herself in the Land of the Munchkins in the Land of Oz.

Oh, do you know this story? It's been loved in this country for a hundred years or so. It hasn't lost any of its charm or vividness. You may know the Judy Garland movie version and have never read the book. You don't know the whole story if that's the case. Dorothy and her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, have more trials on their way to the Emerald City. Yet they are not being chased by the Wicked Witch of the West. She doesn't bother the group in the book until the wizard sends them to fetch her broomstick.

You know what happen when they return to the Emerald City. But Dorothy still is not given the secret of the silver (yes, silver, not ruby) slippers. They still have to travel to the Land of the South and the China Dolls.

Baum created a fantasy world for his family that has become a favorite classic. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a book to be enjoyed by all family members. It's a read-aloud to younger members, but can be read by children by the ages of eight to ten. Yet even an adult can still enjoy the book. I first read it when I was young. I can remember reading the sequals as well. The last time I read it was around eight years ago. Despite that, I had fun reading it again this summer.

If you haven't read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, give yourself a treat.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis