The Wizard of Oz: The First Five Novels

Oz #1-5

by L. Frank Baum

Oz, the Great Wizard! The very name of L. Frank Baum's magical character conjures a world where diminutive munchkins live and work, wicked witches run riot, and the mighty Oz himself rules over an Emerald City reached by a yellow brick road. The Wizard of Oz: The First Five Novels is your passport to this marvelous realm and wonders that have enchanted readers young and old for more than a century. Lavishly illustrated by W. W. Denslow and John R. Neill, this volume includes:
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Marvelous Land of Oz
Ozma of Oz
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
The Road to Oz
The Wizard of Oz: The First Five Novels is one of Barnes & Noble's Collectible Editions classics. Each volume features authoritative texts by the world's greatest authors in an exquisitely designed bonded-leather binding, with distinctive gilt edging and a silk-ribbon bookmark. Decorative, durable, and collectible, these books offer hours of pleasure to readers young and old and are an indispensable cornerstone for every home library.

Genres: Classics, Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Middle Grade, Novels

728 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

also wrote under the names:
* Edith van Dyne,
* Floyd Akers,
* Schuyler Staunton,
* John Estes Cooke,
* Suzanne Metcalf,
* Laura Bancroft,
* Louis F. Baum,
* Captain Hugh Fitzgerald

Lyman Frank Baum was an American author best known for his children's fantasy books, particularly The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, part of a series. In addition to the 14 Oz books, Baum penned 41 other novels (not including four lost, unpublished novels), 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and screen; the 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a landmark of 20th-century cinema.
Born and raised in Chittenango, New York, Baum moved west after an unsuccessful stint as a theater producer and playwright. He and his wife opened a store in South Dakota and he edited and published a newspaper. They then moved to Chicago, where he worked as a newspaper reporter and published children's literature, coming out with the first Oz book in 1900. While continuing his writing, among his final projects he sought to establish a film studio focused on children's films in Los Angeles, California.
His works anticipated such later commonplaces as television, augmented reality, laptop computers (The Master Key), wireless telephones (Tik-Tok of Oz), women in high-risk and action-heavy occupations (Mary Louise in the Country), and the ubiquity of advertising on clothing (Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work).

Reviews

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 4 stars
The Marvelous Land of Oz: 4.5 stars; My favorite of the first 5 books.
Ozma of Oz 3.5 stars
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz: 2.5 stars
The Road to Oz: 3 stars
-----
Average Rating: 3.5 stars

[Freesiab BookishReview · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten how unique this book is. Much different than the beloved movie. I should read the series.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Haven't you had your breakfast?" asked the Nome King.
"Oh, I had just a bite," replied the beast. "But what good is a bite, to a hungry tiger?"
"He ate seventeen bowls of porridge, a platter full of fried sausages, eleven loaves of bread and twenty-one mince pies," said the Steward.
"What more do you want?" demanded the King.
"A fat baby. I want a fat baby," said the Hungry Tiger. "A nice, plump, juicy, tender, fat baby."

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - 4/5
The Marvellous Land of Oz - 3/5
Ozma of Oz - 5/5
Dorothy and the Wizard f Oz - 1/5
The Road to Oz - 2/5

[Chloe Reads Books]

I slowly worked through the individual books in this collection over the past couple of months. I've decided not to rate this collection, or the books individually because I really didn't enjoy them but I think that could be a reflection of not reading them as a child and missing out on that nostalgia feeling.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first five novels in The Wizard of Oz were very enjoyable to read. Reading this really let my imagination expand to accept all of the interesting characters and places. Oz is a place where almost anything is possible! I can imagine reading this to my future children down the road, and they would love it. Baum speaks directly to children and my inner child in this book. This is a simple but fun read and I recommend it especially to anyone that has children. (Or if you still love children's books like me)

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this book contains a five book collection in one I'm going to review each book individually.


1. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ~
Rating = *****

The very first book in the Wizard of Oz series was VERY GOOD. The plot was just like the movie......in a very bland way. You have Dorothy Gale who shows up in Oz and right away you will find a difference between the book and movie and that is that in the movie Dorothy was greeted by Glinda the Good, but in the book Dorothy is greeted by The Good Witch of the North. Dorothy goes on making her usually friends, the Scarecrow who is in search of a brain, the Tin Woodman who is I search for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who is in search for courage. Dorothy and her companions face harsh conditions going to the Emerald City but they make it just in time to be sent back out in order to show the wizard that they are worthy to get what they requested of him. They do this by killing the Wicked Witch of the West, but when they get back to the Emerald City they find out that the wizard is a humbug. The wizard leaves the city and now they are left with having to go to Glinda the Good in order for Dorothy to be able to go home. In the end Dorothy gets back home, the Cowardly Lion is the king of the forest, the Scarecrow is the king of Oz, and the Tin Woodman is the king of the Wicked Witch of the West's castle. Overall I REALY liked this book and I couldn't wait to start to read the next book in the series. DEFINITELY one of my favorite classic books.


2. The Marvelous Land of Oz
Rating- *****

In this book you meet a boy who is an adopted son of the witch Mombi. He try's to play a trick on her which ends with him having a new friend name Jack the pumpkin head. Mombi locks Jack up and the boy escapes with him to the Emerald city. Along the way they make a friend using Mombi's Magic life dust which is a wooden horse. They finally make it to the Emerald city in order to find out that it was taken over by a bunch of girls and the only way they can get the city back is if the princess of Oz named Ozma was returned to the castle. So the boy, the wooden horse, the Scarecrow, and Jack go to Glinda the Good for help. In the end they find out that the boy is really Ozma who was transformed into a boy by the wizard and Mombi. The book was very well written and I couldn't wait to read the next one

3. Ozma of Oz
Rating-*****

In this book you find Dorothy who has washed up on the shores of the Land of Ev. Here she makes a copper friend named TickTock and a friend who is a chicken named Billina. They get locked up in the lands castle just in time for Ozma and her royal army to show up. Ozma makes a deal with the lands ruler that if she can find the true prince of the land Dorothy can be set free. The princess excepted the offer and they all set off to a underground palace where they must find 11 members of Ev's royal family. They end up finding them and they return them back to the palace and Dorothy is able to leave the palace. The story ends with Dorothy being named princess of Oz by Queen Ozma and they become best friends, and in the end Glinda the Good sends Dorothy back home. Just like the first two books in the series I really liked this book and I couldn't wait to read the next one.

4. Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
Rating- ****

In this book Dorothy and her carriage driver fall through a crack in the earth caused by an earthquake only to land in an underground glass palace filled with people made out of vegetables. After awhile Dorothy is reunited with the wizard who too fell through the crack and found his way to the palace grounds. Once all of them team up they are left on a dangerous and adventurous ride through the underground world until they are rescued by Queen Ozma.

5.The Road to Oz
Rating- *****

This book was about a guy who took Dorothy on a journey to the land of Oz just in time for Queen Ozma's party. The story introduces a few new characters and their journey on discovering the truth. The story ends with all of the characters that you have met throughout the past four stories showing up at Queen Ozma's party. (along with a few others) The book is a very good summary of all of the characters from the first five books and I can't wait to read the next collection of books 6-10.

[Young Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book's definitely No. 1 I'd love to read to my kids in bed.

It's an American classic that's been enshrined deep in our society and mind'/ ment'ality.

This one's not prince or princess story. It's about a Mid-west country girl named Dorothy trying to find her way home after a natural disaster blew her off. And on that long and tough journey she meets many friends with flaws.

They were all discouraged due to the flaws, but as their journey went on they learned they could be strong together covering each other's shortcomings with the strength in each of them they had been missing to see.

At the end they all overcome their flaws, and the story ends with Dorothy back home safe and sound.

This book's definitely no. 1 I'd love to read to my kids in their beds.

[Miriam Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only read the first in this collection of Baum's primary 5 novellas, but I am not sure I like it enough to continue, despite my 4-star rating. I think I may have gotten more out of it if I had been about the age of the heroine when I read it - a conscious choice at the time having to do with how distracted by the film version I felt, at that age. Now, I do not find distraction to be a problem. It is true I compared the two works off and on - and (I don't say this often) I think the filmmakers' choices were insightful, and true to the quest genre, ie, they may have improved on the book. The dream transitions near the beginning and end of the movie are a screenwriter's addition, for example, and the green goggles everyone wears in the novella, the film writer eschews - wisely - since Baum's care to include it ultimately goes nowhere. When I'd just begun the first volume, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, I made a quick trip to Wikipedia and looked up Baum, and what I found there gave me some interpretive balance. The fact that the original (and in my opinion far superior) illustrator dropped out of the project early solved some of my puzzlement with the images, and is an example of the kind of useful information I gleaned from there. What I like about the book, and reasons I think at least the first of these volumes belongs on a child's shelf are: the realization of quest tale - Joseph Campbell is vindicated - not that he needs vindication!; the forethought that went into Baum's choices of brains, heart, courage, and empathy as necessary elements of character; the limits of magic; the management of hereditary power; and the fact that Dorothy kills innocently. Cruelty to those who are weaker that ourselves is a grave error, as is inability to accept with equanimity the choices of others. Repeatedly characters act and speak on the principle that 'you' must do as you must do, while 'I' must do as I must do. People ask one another about their intentions, but they don't interfere. It's an important point for children, who are typically vulnerable to feeling guilty about other people's speeches and actions. What I do not like, although I can excuse some of it on grounds of Baum's historical environment, is the unquestioning reliance on class - a large servant caste whose experience is discounted, unconsidered - and this flaw runs deep because the story depends on it to a huge degree - it is setting; and - the repeated admonitions, in the form of actions, that tell us well-behaved and grateful children should embrace enthusiastically a diet of bread and water, clearly a turn-of-the-century value in child-rearing that echos Charles Dickens, but seems to have vanished from contemporary culture. I remember it from my own childhood as a half-discredited discipline. Finally, I like Baum's jovial formality of language, which is pleasantly humorous and true to the genre, a good part of the joy in reading this book. I should further note that I am certain Tolkien read at least this one of the Oz tales. Tolkien - as Baum demonstrates emphatically - is not the first author to invent an entire world, although Tolkien's cosmos is both more cerebral and complex, and it also better survives the skepticism of modernity.

[Courtney]

Book 1: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Hudson chose this book and really liked this story. He was most interested in Toto and the Flying Monkeys.

Overall, this story was a fun adventure. That said, it felt drawn out. Once Dorothy and the gang make it to the Emerald City, they are sent on an adventure to kill the Wicked Witch. She kills the witch and they have to adventure back. Once things are settled with Oz and he accidentally takes off without Dorothy, they embark on yet another adventure to find the other good witch and get Dorothy home.

So many adventures. While each had its merits, by the point of calling out Oz as a fraud I was ready for the story to be done. We didn't need another adventure to get to another witch. It just felt drawn out. Too many ideas not enough editing.

Also, Dorothy's shoes are silver - FYI. Not red. Don't believe a word Hollywood tells you.

[Carmela Dutra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading these books as a child so when I found this contained the first 5 novels I was ecstatic! The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has brought joy to many throughout the years. In it, a girl’s dream world comes to life as the cyclone lifts Dorothy from Kansas, depositing her in the enchanted land of the Munchkins. Her and her dog Toto befriend the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion and seek the out the might Wizard of Oz for help to return her home.

This story has universal appeal of a classic fairy tale. Even though this was written for children adults too will enjoy the whimsy of this story, and will enjoy it even more share it with a child.

[Dan McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first three novels were familiar since they were the basis for the two oz movies, but I never knew just how many oz books there are! I'll have to get my hands on the other omnibuses in the future!

[Jillian Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the movie, and the book gives me the same feel as the movie did, it was really cute.

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my children, and it was very fun to see their reactions. It's such a curious and funny set of stories, we all laughed and they had so many favorite characters. It was a delightful time.

[Stephanie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandma’s name was Dorothy! 😊🧺 I never knew this was such an extensive series with dozens of creative characters and settings, definitely adding it to my favorites. Very excited to read the rest of the series 💖

[Katy Maus · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many of us already know the story, we know the movie, but as we all know reading the book can be different in so many ways. This book is such an easy read. It's a relaxing read, that takes you away in to that fairyland realm of Oz that reminds us of a time when it was still ok to sink in to those whimsical stories and feel transformed by the characters even if only for an hour or two. I had previously read the Wicked series, when this book was gifted to me from my son who knows my love for the whole story line of Oz and what became of Dorothy or who really was the Wicked Witch or the Scarecrow. So at first I was a bit hesitant to read it as I thought I knew everything already. I'm glad I read it, it really does just take you back. It reminds you of some things maybe you forgot, and on the other hand it also brings to light other items you probably knew nothing about. It's a wonderful fantastical whimsical fun read. A treasure for sure!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that Dorothy and crew would have so many adventures? Great read out loud stories for the fairly young. A map would be greatly appreciated to keep the lands in their proper space. I enjoyed the stories and illustrations.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my baby daughter so I can't give it less than 5 stars. Reading a chapter every 1-3 days took 6 months. A delightful and sometimes bizarre series of tales.

[Bailey Jane]

Pip listened contently for two whole chapters! Next we meet Scarecrow. :)

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my reviews on each individual book on their main pages!

[Stephen Trygar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will write my review in a structure that will allow me to rate and review each of the five novels in this edition. I will do what I can to not provide spoilers.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 4 stars. This novel is certainly my favorite of the first five novels. Aside from being a classic story, it is my opinion that the plot is the most well constructed. I've read this novel several times in my life, but I read it again to remind myself of the plot, characters, setting, and other details in going forward with the other novels in the series. Baum establishes a very peculiar and distinct world in Oz in this novel that fills ones heads with grand illusions, especially the majesty of the Emerald City. I think what would have really pushed me to give this novel five stars would have been if I didn't occasionally felt rushed to move on to the next conflict, but I realize that this book was written for children and not a 26 year old man.
The Marvelous Land of Oz: 3 stars. I appreciate that Baum was trying to flesh out more characters and backstory behind Oz; however, I find several of the characters to just be irritable and annoying. If that was Baum's intention, then he certainly got that through. If the characters within the story also find other characters to be as annoying as you do, that seems like a sign that the author is intentionally writing annoying characters, but sometimes the irrelevant bickering takes away from the rest of the story.
Ozma of Oz: 4 stars. The plot of this novel is certainly more forgiving on the imagination than the previous novel. I enjoyed that characters from the previous two novels met new characters while resolving issues that plague both the Land of Oz and the Land of Ev. The characters are far more substantial. Baum builds more personality into some previously used characters to help build the universe around them.
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz: 2 stars. I must admit that I disliked this novel the most. The characters were just running from one deadly conflict after another. With the exception of the first conflict, their troubles seem to have no root other than the fact that they are present in that section of the world they are traveling. (Spoiler ahead.) I also was rather confused as to why the title lists Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, when 75% of the novel was with them stuck in the center of our planet Earth.
The Road to Oz: 4 stars. I rather liked how Dorothy is transported to Oz in this novel. It was certainly a different approach rather than being brought to Oz on terrible circumstances. This one was about the journey to Oz and the people, although occasionally irritating, she finds along the way. I rather like that the plot lies within Dorothy not really knowing if the road is leading to Oz or not, and the troubles they face while trying to figure out where this road is taking them.

I found it a little difficult to review these books. I'm reading these books as a 26-year-old man while they were written for people much younger than I am. So for that, I say that everybody should give these books a chance! I will certainly be continuing on to the remaining novels in the Oz series!

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a bit longer than expected to make my way through this bind-up. And that's because my focus shifted, or rather, my reason for reading. Whenever I pick up a new book (or books in this case), I strive to take tons of notes, analyze passages/word choices, etc. just so I can have a record of how I felt while reading. Also, I'm a firm believer in "use it or lose it" philosophy when it comes to a critical eye. And sure, I did want to wax poetic on the idea of feminist criticism in how despite what he says, Oz is NOT the Great and Powerful: women are. For example, Tip and friends go in search of Glinda the Good Witch (whom they place on pedestal) because General Jinjur and her all girl army overthrows Scarecrow, ruler of the Emerald City. How the male characters work to help a girl (AKA Ozma) ascend to her rightful throne, and in the end, become her subjects/ workers, thus flipping the sexual script. And we can't forget the character of Dorothy and how her adventures throughout Oz and eventually its surrounding lands show both new woman with her sense of adventure, and while maintaining her feminine sensibilities. Even Marxist crit. makes an appearance when Scarecrow seeks to pacify the Jinjur and her army with trinkets/money, subtly showing he's the one in control. But I found that I kind just wanted to read for enjoyment. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy reading between the lines for literary criticism, but especially right now, with the pandemic/self-quarantining, it was nice to escape into fairy tale-lite lands where endearment and wonder ring true. I will say, I did find it odd that we spend one book with Tip, and then get right back to Dorothy for like, the next three books... was there a point to leaving and coming back? I've got an inkling Baum's publisher found that sales lacked when Dorothy was MIA. I'm not sure my reviews for the next two will be even half as long as this. The one I'm most excited for is the Tin Woodman of Oz. Ready to see a love story in the merry old land of Oz.

[Jeni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I already reviewed the first book, but here's my thoughts on the rest of them:

Marvelous Land of Oz: Tip is no Dorothy and I miss my protagonist. Also an army of women conquer the Emerald City with knitting needles -- I don't know if that's sexist or feminist, but it's interesting to see in a book written before women could vote.

Ozma of Oz: Dorothy's back - hooray! For the most the new characters are good (I especially like the Hungry Tiger and Billina). The imagination in this one is cool too -- how the queen has different heads and the trick of the Nome enchantment. Also, love the tidbits of biting satire sprinkled in: "You see, in this country are a number of youths who do not like to work, and the college is an excellent place for them." It was also nice to see Dorothy connect with Kansas, as the ending with Uncle Henry was super sweet. It's also nice we've now got a convenient way to bring Dorothy back for the next books, as that was kind of a cop-out how she got to Ev.

Dorothy and the Wizard: It was nice to see the wizard again and for him to show off some tricks of his as well as learn some of his backstory. I also liked that he and Dorothy built a connection. But the standout in this book was Eureka the kitten, for acting like a real animal and her snark. I was happy to see her (metaphorically) roll her eyes at some of the ridiculousness of Oz. Between that and Jim kicking the wooden horse, it was nice to see some realism in Oz and how the two just don't work together.

The Road to Oz: Wow. The rainbow's daughter is in this book. I know the connection between gay culture and the Wizard of Oz comes from the movie and more specifically Judy Garland, but it's like the author knew. As usual, the places they encountered were interesting and the grand reunion at the end was heartwarming and a good ending for this collection. Though Dorothy's companions this time around weren't as fun as they were in past stories.

[Jeffrey W Brigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what ever became of the Tin Man or the Scarecrow or the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of OZ? Have you ever wondered what the real Wizard of Oz story was in the first place? Find out right now by reading this great book, available at the stone and mortar book store of Barnes and Noble. As it says on the cover, this hardcover edition contains the first five novels of a total of 13 written by Frank Baum over a hundred years ago.

I heard the novels were a bit more violent than the movie. It's true, in a fairy kind of way, like you'd find in the original Aesop's Fables or Grimm's Fairy Tales. The prose is that of said fairy tales, but not so bad that you can't read and enjoy the story. There are a few interesting twists in these stories that are pretty good and not predictable (by me anyway.) There is also some laugh-out-loud moments to be had. I enjoyed these novels and I think so will you!

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

Baum wanted to write a different kind of fairy tale to Grimm’s, one without horrible things happening and he failed miserably by the first couple chapters.

I cannot overlook that Baum’s ideas are not well thought out, nor do they have any depth. The scarecrow who doesn’t have brains but can talk and walk and understands what freedom is has never made sense to me even as a child. A lion doesn’t need courage. A tin man may need a heart but like what the heck is a tin man? The characters are not well developed. The story is really lacking. WHY ARE THE WITCH’S SHOES SILVER???

It would have been much more interesting to hear a story of Oz from the munchkin side. A munchkin who goes off to Oz to find out how to get the munchkins free… Then only Dorothy can help because she is actually a very powerful witch but she came to Kansas to … etc.

Anyway, I am glad I gave it a try but I was not impressed.

[Dippit! with E.S.Jennette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have finally read this classic book and I am happy that I have. The book is very different from the movie that came out in 1939.

Dorthy comes to Oz in a cyclone and the house lands on the wicked witch of the east in munchkin land.

Dorthy needs to go to the Emerald City to get the wizard to help her get back to Kansas. On the way there, Dorthy meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. Together they adventure to the Emerald City were they find the wizard to be a fraud. But first the wizard tasks them to capture the wicked witch of the West which Dorthy does.

Dorthy and her friends find the good witch of the North to help Dorthy get home and each of her companions become the kings of their own respective lands of those people who helped them along the way.

Dorthy ends up where she started with her family.

[Jim Short · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never read any of the stories before so my only contact has been the movies (specifically the Judy Garland version from 1939).

The first story (The Wizard of Oz) was interesting to read as a comparison to find out what was changed and what remained from the origanal story. The next four tales introduce a number of characters the I've heard of before but to which I had no reference. The stories themselves are fairly simple and, while they may be allegories, are suited to a child's level. There are too may events which occur as 'miracles' with no background preparation (Johnny Dooit, for instance) to consider the stories as 'well written' or good literature.

Overall, I'm happy to have read them but don't have any plan to read the rest of the series.

[Kylie Murdison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two novels are the best. We've read the first twice, and I would prefer to just reread it every so often, but the girls want to continue with the story. We will start #8 soon.
My favorite characteristics of the series are the constant addition of new friends, new challenges, and carrying on with the journey. They never know what crazy thing will pop up in Oz, but they never give up. There are so many unique and strange characters that are always welcome and become part of the team. My girls' favorite characters are Bilina the hen, Jack Pumpkin Head, and Saw Horse...the talking/flying saw horse.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, the first five books are read. The stories began really strongly and very well. It is really nice, like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Series to see the characters and world expand. Unlike other Childrens Stories (Like Narnia, Pollyanna, Alice in Wonderland etc) these are very superficial and cutesy stories, they lack a certain depth to them, few to little morals to find in each story. Dorothy happily flits through each situation unhurt, unscathed and oblivious to life to find herself with Aunty Em who either just accepted her disappearance or reappearance at face value.

The books are well written, a quick and easy read.

[Daphne Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun journey for my daughter and I to take. I hadn't realized that there were other books following The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and how glad I am that we discovered this book. We met a number of new curious characters on our multiple adventures to Oz. The adventurers never give up, kindness and compassion win the day, and Oz seems to become a kind of heaven where everyone is accepted, there is room for all, and everyone has enough. With over 700 pages, this is quite a journey for a seven-year-old to go on with me, but we truly enjoyed it.

[Bella Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved re-reading this old childhood favorite. I didn't realize how much I missed the Cowardly Lion! My one complaint is Dorothy's character progression. After The Wizard of Oz Dorothy somehow turned from an adorable farm girl to a backwoods hick with a bit of an attitude. It may have been to more fully distinguish her character from Ozma (whose defining characteristic seems to be 'gorgeous and girlish') or Polychrome. Either way, it was a bit of a disappointment.

In terms of world-building, imagination, and nostalgia, a lovely read!