The Wonderful Wizard of Oz facts for kids
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic children's book. It was written by an American author named L. Frank Baum. The book was first published on 17 May 1900. The very first edition had beautiful pictures drawn by W. W. Denslow.
The story is about a young girl named Dorothy Gale. She lives on a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. One day, a powerful cyclone sweeps her and her little dog, Toto, far away. They land in a magical place called Oz.
In Oz, Dorothy's house accidentally lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her. This makes Dorothy a hero to the Munchkins, the people of that land. But it also makes the Wicked Witch of the West very angry. Dorothy just wants to go home to Kansas. The Good Witch of the North tells her that only the powerful Wizard of Oz can help her.
To find the Wizard, Dorothy must follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. Along her journey, she meets three special friends. Each of them hopes the Wizard can grant their biggest wish.
Contents
Dorothy's Amazing Friends
The Scarecrow's Wish for a Brain
The first friend Dorothy meets is a Scarecrow. He is stuffed with straw and stands in a field. The Scarecrow is very kind but believes he isn't smart. He wishes for a brain so he can think properly. Dorothy invites him to join her on the journey to the Emerald City.
The Tin Woodman's Search for a Heart
Next, they find a Tin Woodman. He was once a real man, but a curse turned him into tin. He rusted in the forest until Dorothy and the Scarecrow helped him. The Tin Woodman explains that he lost his heart and cannot feel emotions. He desperately wishes for a heart from the Wizard.
The Cowardly Lion's Quest for Courage
Their third friend is a large, roaring Cowardly Lion. Despite his size, he is terrified of everything. He feels ashamed of his fear and wishes to be brave. The Cowardly Lion hopes the Wizard can give him courage. Together, the four friends continue their journey, facing many challenges.
Meeting the Wizard of Oz
When they finally reach the Emerald City, the Wizard of Oz seems very mysterious. He appears in different forms to each of them. He tells Dorothy and her friends that he will only grant their wishes if they defeat the Wicked Witch of the West.
The friends bravely travel to the Wicked Witch's castle. They face her flying monkeys and Winkie guards. Dorothy eventually defeats the Wicked Witch by melting her with a bucket of water.
When they return to the Wizard, they discover a big secret. The Wizard of Oz is not a powerful magician at all! He is actually a normal man from Omaha, Nebraska. He was swept to Oz in a hot air balloon many years ago. He used tricks and illusions to make people believe he was a great wizard.
Finding Their True Wishes
Even though he's not a real wizard, he helps Dorothy's friends. He gives the Scarecrow a "brain" made of pins and needles, which makes him feel smart. He gives the Tin Woodman a silk heart filled with sawdust, making him feel loving. And he gives the Cowardly Lion a drink that he says will bring courage. The friends realize they already had what they wished for all along. The Scarecrow was always clever, the Tin Woodman was always kind, and the Lion was always brave when it mattered.
For Dorothy, the Wizard tries to take her home in his hot air balloon. But an accident happens, and he leaves without her. Dorothy is very sad, but the Good Witch of the South, Glinda, helps her. Glinda tells Dorothy that the magical Silver Shoes she has been wearing (which belonged to the Wicked Witch of the East) can take her home. Dorothy just needs to click her heels together three times and wish to go home.
Dorothy says goodbye to her friends and wishes to be back in Kansas. In a flash, she is home, safe with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry.
The Legacy of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz quickly became a very popular book. It has been reprinted many times over the years. New artists have drawn pictures for the story, and sometimes the title is shortened to just The Wizard of Oz.
The story has also been adapted into other forms of entertainment. A musical play based on the book was created in 1900. The most famous adaptation is the 1939 movie. This movie stars Judy Garland as Dorothy and is loved by people all over the world. It brought the magical land of Oz to life for millions.
Images for kids
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1900 first edition cover, published by the George M. Hill Company, Chicago, New York
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The Wicked Witch melts, from the W.W. Denslow illustration of the first edition (1900)
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Dorothy meeting the Cowardly Lion, from the first edition
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Judy Garland as Dorothy discovering that she and Toto are no longer in Kansas
See also
In Spanish: El maravilloso mago de Oz para niños
