The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum

9/10

Dorothy Gale and her little dog Toto are in for the ride of their lives when a tornado drops them off in the Land of Oz. Can Dorothy and her new friends survive the perils of Oz to reach the Wizard and find a way home?

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man. Few are unable to immediately identify these names, so ingrained are they in the minds of children, parents and grandparents around the world. This modernised fairy tale is heavily influenced by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen but with the author removing the heartache and nightmares, as he explains before the story begins:

"Folklore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvellous and manifestly unreal. The winged fairies of Grimm and Andersen have brought more happiness to childish hearts than all other human creations.

Yet the old time fairy tale, having served for generations, may now be classed as "historical" in the children's library; for the time has come for a series of newer "wonder tales" in which the stereotyped genie, dwarf and fairy are eliminated, together with all the horrible and blood-curdling incidents devised by their authors to point a fearsome moral to each tale. Modern education includes morality; therefore the modern child seeks only entertainment in its wonder tales and gladly dispenses with all disagreeable incident.

Having this thought in mind, the story of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written solely to please children of today. It aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out."
L. Frank Baum, April, 1900

There are very few fantasy authors today who are not influenced by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Its strongest theme is self-contradiction and how the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion all lack self-confidence. The Scarecrow believes that he has no brains, though he comes up with clever solutions to several problems that they encounter on their journey. The Tin Woodman believes that he lacks a heart, but is moved to tears when misfortune befalls the various creatures they meet. The Cowardly Lion believes that he has no courage even though he is consistently brave through their journey.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is as much loved today as it has ever been and the advent of the ebook has led to the book being free to those who able to read them. First published in 1900 when it became an international bestseller it is a relevant today as it was then.

Amongst the most-read and most-influential children's books of all time. And you can read it for free.

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13 positive reader review(s) for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz reader reviews

from USA

This book is the best. It shows the importance of teamwork and friendship. This adventurous fantasy tale can be read by both kids and adults. The part which was my favourite is when Dorothy was able to ruin the Wicked Witch and save her friends. I was a little disappointed when they found out the Wizard was a fake and just a regular person with no powers.
10/10 ()

from United Kingdom

This book is an imaginative story about Dorothy , who along with her friends ( lovely Scarecrow , helpful Tinman and sweet Lion ) set off on a journey to Emerald City to The Wizard of Oz. I loved reading this magical book and how everyone worked together as a team. Dorothy , along with friendly members , teamed up with the wicked with of the West to get their wishes from the Wizard of Oz. My favourite part was when the Wizard of Oz granted the friends’ wishes and everyone was overjoyed. I didn’t like when scarecrow was trapped in a raging river. I recommend you to read this witty book as it gives food for thoughT and messages galore of friendship and kindness. I will keep reading this book again and again .
8/10 ()

from United Kingdom

This book is an imaginative story about Dorothy , who along with her friends ( lovely Scarecrow , helpful Tinman and sweet Lion ) set off on a journey to Emerald City to The Wizard of Oz. I loved reading this magical book and how everyone worked together as a team. Dorothy , along with friendly members , teamed up with the wicked with of the West to get their wishes from the Wizard of Oz. My favourite part was when the Wizard of Oz granted the friends’ wishes and everyone was overjoyed. I didn’t like when scarecrow was trapped in a raging river. I recommend you to read this witty book as it gives food for thoughT and messages galore of friendship and kindness. I will keep reading this book again and again .
8/10 ()

from Romania

This book the Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum was full of adventure. Dorothy and her friends struggled to full fill their demand. They had to visit the great wizard Oz but the truth was he used science besides magic. He was a liar. But anyhow Dorothy reached her home and others had realised that they didn't needed body parts or cleverness to live the live by getting them from other people.
10/10 ()

from Pakistan

This book is marvellous but when you write the book review please add some commentary. That is my request.
10/10 ()

from India

It's a very good book for children. I loved the ending of the book. Some parts were too childish while some were very interesting . It was interesting when Dorothy saw the land of oz first time in her life. I really liked the book.
8/10 ()

from India

I believe the book to be amazing but it was too kiddish to read . the book had no proper storyline and the characters and props used in the book could be enhanced. The part with the cyclone was totally unrealistic and boring . Nonetheless the book was more of fantasy than a little reasoning and practical thinking
8/10 ()

from India

A perfect mix of friendship, love, help etc. I completely appreciate the writer's way of writing. This book also gives us a strong message to never give up. I would recommend this book to be read by all ages.
8/10 ()

from India

This is a perfect books for kids. I prefer it for children.
9/10 ()

from India

Interesting.
10/10 ()

from USA

The Wizard of Oz, to me, is a very good and courageous book. There is some violent parts, such as the Tin Man chopping off 40 wolf heads, but other then those parts this book is amazing. I especially like this book because it shows a strong girl who will stop at nothing to get home.
9/10 ()

from Malaysia

This book is very extremely intresting.
9/10 ()

from India

A good book for children. Having perfect conclusion.
8/10 ()

from Lusaka Zambia

The Wizard of Oz is an interesting book about a girl and her little dog who run away from home but on the way back home a tornado attack starts. She then dreams of going into this land of weird looking creatures and looks for a way to get back home.
8/10 ()

from Thailand

This was the first novel that I read and I was very happy by reading and after reading my interest on novel became more and I bought many nnovels like that and read all the novels. I read many novels on adventure, love story, fiction etc.
8/10 ()

from India

This modern fairy tale written by L. Frank Baum is truly a classic for children. This book gives us a vivid picture of how the determination of a girl leads her to her success.She also gives hope to a tin woodman ,a lion and a scare-crow to get what they want from a great wizard. But Ii would recommend this book to children. Adults can avoid it.
8/10 ()

8.7/10 from 17 reviews

All L Frank Baum Reviews