198. The WIZARD of OZ

L. Frank Baum 1900

The Book Blurb:

When a cyclone hits her Kansas home, Dorothy and her dog Toto are whisked to the magical land of Oz. To find her way back to Kansas, she must follow the yellow brick road to where the great Wizard lives. Together with her companions the Tin Woodman, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion, Dortohy embarks on a strange and enchanting adventure, and a journey that takes her to the city of Emeralds.

What Hooked Me:

Although I have watched the movie, I have to admit that this is the first time I have actually read this original book that started it all. It is no wonder that such an imaginative American fairy tale has won the hearts of so many and has gone to spin so many other book prequels and sequels as well as hundreds of Movie, Musical and Play adaptations. I just wish there were more scenes with Glinda in this book!

The Quotes:

'Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies, with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer's wife. Their house was small, for the lumber to build it had to be carried by wagon many miles.'(opening lines)

'The cyclone had set the house down, very gently -- for a cyclone -- in the midst of a country of marvelous beauty. There were lovely patches of greensward all about, with stately trees bearing rich and luscious fruits. Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes. A little way off was a small brook, rushing and sparkling along between green banks, and murmuring in a voice very grateful to a little girl who had lived so long on the dry, grey prairies.'(7-8)

'No matter how dreary and grey our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home.'(27)

"All the same," said the Scarecrow, "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one."
"I shall take the heart," returned the Tin Woodman, "for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world."(41)

"It's a mystery," replied the Lion. "I suppose I was born that way. All the other animals in the forest naturally expect me to be brave, for the Lion is everywhere thought to be the King of Beasts. I learned that if I roared very loudly every living thing was frightened and got out of my way. Whenever I've met a man I've been awfully scared; but I just roared at him, and he has always run away as fast as he could go."(44-46)

'You see, Oz is a great Wizard, and can take on any form he wishes. So that some say he looks like a bird; and some say he looks like an elephant; and some say he looks like a cat. To others he appears as a beautiful fairy, or a brownie, or in any form that pleases him. But who the real Oz is, when he is in his own form, no living person can tell.'(77)

'Even with eyes protected by the green spectacles Dorothy and her friends were at first dazzled by the brilliancy of the wonderful City. The streets were lined with beautiful houses all built of green marble and studded everywhere with sparkling emeralds. They walked over a pavement of the same green marble, and where the blocks were joined together were rows of emeralds, set closely and glittering in the brightness of the sun. The window panes were of green glass; even the sky above the City had a green tint, and the rays of the sun were green.'(83)

'The Wicked Witch was both surprised and worried when she saw the mark on Dorothy's forehead, for she knew well that neither the Winged Monkeys nor she, herself, dare hurt the girl in any way. She looked down at Dorothy's feet, and seeing the Silver Shoes, began to tremble with fear, for she knew what a powerful charm belonged to them.'(109)

'Experience is the only thing that brings knowledge, and the longer you are on earth the more experience you are sure to get.'(140)

'All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.'(140)

'Dorothy now took Toto up solemnly in her arms, and having said one last good-bye she clapped the heels of her shoes together three times, saying:
"Take me home to Aunt Em!"'(187)

a Puffin Books Essentials Collection Edition
188 pages
Book Owned