The Wizard of Oz

written by L. Frank Baum

Illustrated by Charles Santore

Sterling Publishing, 2009

Genre: Children's picture book; fantasy

Reading Level: ages 6-9

96 pages

The Wizard of Oz is the well known children's story of a young country girl caught in a cyclone and carried to a fantastical land. Dorothy lives with her aunt, uncle, and dog Toto on a farm. One day Dorothy is in the farmhouse and a cyclone pics it up and drops her in the land of the munchkins in the land of Oz. Unfortunately the house falls on the ruler of the Munchkins aka the wicked witch of the west. Dorothy, along with the munchkins meets the good witch of the North who gives her the silver (not ruby red) slippers that the wicked witch of the west had been wearing as a thank you for saving the munchkins from their rule. The good Witch tells Dorothy that the only way to get back to her home is to go to the Emerald City and ask the Wizard of Oz for help. Dorothy follows the yellow brick road and meets a scarecrow, and Tin Woodman, and a cowardly lion who all go with her and her dog, Toto to the the Emerald City. The Scarecrow watns to ask the Wizard for a brain the Tin woodman wants a heart and the Cowardly lion wants courage. As they travel they overcome several traps including narrow roads a river, and deadly poppies. When they arrive at the Emerald city they are told to wear green spectacles. When each one of them meet with the Wizard they see some different form. To Dorothy the wizard is a giant head for example. The Wizard agrees to help them but first they must kill the Wicked witch of the west who rules the Winkie Country. They decide to all go together and as they travel the wicked witch sends all kinds of things to attack them. Finally sending the winged monkeys to capture them all. When the wicked witch finally gets ahold of them and takes one of Dorothy's slippers Dorothy gets angry and throws water on the witch who in turn begins to melt. The Winkies are so happy and they help to recharge the three friends. The Winkies especially love the Tin Woodman and he agrees to become their ruler after he helps Dorothy get home. Dorothy uses a golden cap to have the winged monkeys carry them all back to Emerald City where they meet up with the Wizard again. He tries to avoid his promises and Toto accidentally tips over the screen in the room showing that the Wizard was actually an old man who had come to Oz on a hot air balloon. The Wizard gives them all what he promised. He says that he will take Dorothy home on his balloon, leaving the Scarecrow in charge, but the ropes break and he floats away without Dorothy. A soldier advises that Dorothy go to Glinda, the Good witch of the South who lives in Quadling County. Again the companions overcome quite a few creatures and obstacles like fighting tress and hammer heads. The Lion even kills a great spider who is hurting the forest animals, and they make him their ruler. When they finally read Glinda's home they are welcomed and Glinda tells Dorothy that she has had the power to go home all along. That the silver shoes can take her anywhere. Dorothy says goodbye to all her friends and returns home and the shoes are lost during the flight and never seen again.

I would recommend this book to any and all children.

I can think of no real controversy from this book.

I love this book, it's been one of my favorites since i was young, and the movie one of my favorite movies! I especially liked this version because of the beautifully and unique pictures that fit the story perfectly.

My rating: 5 out of 5