Dorothy of Oz (book) facts for kids

Dorothy of Oz is an exciting children's novel from 1989. It was written by Roger S. Baum, who is the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum, the original creator of Oz. This book tells the story of Dorothy Gale as she returns to the magical Land of Oz.

In this adventure, a tricky Jester is causing trouble. He uses a special wand that once belonged to the Wicked Witch of the West. With this wand, the Jester tries to take over the Land of Oz. Dorothy must go back to help her friends and save the day! This book was later made into a movie called Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return in 2014.

Dorothy's New Adventure

A few weeks after her last visit to Oz, Dorothy Gale was back home in Kansas. One day, she saw a beautiful, bright rainbow outside her window. The rainbow seemed to be coming closer to her and her dog, Toto. They both ran towards it!

Suddenly, Glinda the Good Witch appeared. She told Dorothy that she needed to return to Oz right away. Her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, were in danger. Dorothy and Toto found their silver shoes. A note from Glinda and Princess Ozma explained that the shoes could take them to Oz and back. This was important because the Impassable Desert had made the shoes less powerful.

Dorothy and Toto arrived in the Land of Oz. Dorothy checked her pockets and found a small mirror, a safety pin, a glass bottle, and four of Aunt Em's homemade oatmeal cookies. They wondered which way to go. Soon, they met a wise owl named Wiser, who was covered in molasses. Wiser told them they were in Gillikin Country. He suggested they go to Candy County and ask the Great Royal Marshmallow for help.

When they reached Princess Gayelette's palace, the castle's Jester greeted them. He told Dorothy and Toto that Princess Gayelette and Prince Quelala were missing. He said they disappeared during a party at the palace, which had become haunted. The Jester pointed them towards the castle. Inside, Dorothy and Toto found the Wicked Witch of the West's wand lying on a table.

Dorothy reminded the Jester that jesters are supposed to make people happy. This made the Jester stop in his tracks. The ghost of the Wicked Witch of the West, who was still connected to the wand, tried to make the Jester turn Dorothy into a china doll. But the Jester gave up the wand instead. The Wicked Witch of the West's ghost then faded away.

With the wand released, the spell was broken! Everyone returned to normal. The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto were very happy. The Cowardly Lion asked Dorothy what she would do with the wand. The Scarecrow and the Tin Man decided to keep it locked up. They planned to give it to Glinda and Princess Ozma later.

Finally, Dorothy and Toto returned to Kansas. They were reunited with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Later, they saw a rainbow in the evening sky, one Dorothy had never seen before. Dorothy knew it was Princess Ozma, Glinda, and the Wizard of Oz saying goodbye. The rainbow shimmered over the prairie, showing all the bright colors of the Land of Oz.

From Book to Movie

The book Dorothy of Oz was turned into a movie! Summertime Entertainment made the film, which is called Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return. It came out in 2014.

Many famous actors lent their voices to the characters:

• Lea Michele was the voice of Dorothy.
• Dan Aykroyd voiced the Scarecrow.
• Kelsey Grammer was the voice of the Tin Man.
• James Belushi voiced the Cowardly Lion.
• Bernadette Peters was Glinda the Good Witch.
• Martin Short voiced the Jester.
• Hugh Dancy was Marshal Mallow, a character made just for the movie.
• Megan Hilty voiced the China Princess.
• Patrick Stewart was Tugg.
• Oliver Platt voiced Wiser the Owl.