Toto's Story: My Amazing Adventures with Dorothy in Oz

by Steve Metzger, Susan Szecsi (Illustrator)

Toto tells us what really happened when he and Dorothy made that magical journey to Oz. Based on L. Frank Baum's classic tale, "The Wizard of Oz," read all about the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, and the Wicked Witch of the West...through Toto's eyes!

Find
* Why Toto is annoyed by Scarecrow!
* How Toto helped Dorothy melt the Wicked Witch!
* The heartwarming reason Toto wants to return to Kansas!

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2016

About the author

I grew up in Queens, NY in the 1950s with my “baby” sister, Lois. She is now a wonderful writer of young adult novels and nonfiction. My mother was born in Vienna, Austria, and my father came from Brooklyn – an interesting match! My best friends were Neil, Robbie, Krebs, and Paul. I’m still good friends with most of these guys. It was less hectic in those days – no computers, no emails, fewer TV channels (MANY fewer!) We had lots of fun playing ball and listening to records. I’ll never forget when the Beatles came to America – Beatlemania!
After graduating from Baruch College in NYC, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I bounced around doing odd jobs, including taxi driver, dishwasher, and hotel desk clerk. One day, while relaxing in Central Park (OK, I was unemployed), I saw a group of children from a local daycare center. It struck me that I always liked children -- perhaps I could make a career out of something I liked. Eureka! Ever since then, I’ve been involved, in one way or another, with the lives of young children.

I received my Masters in Education from Bank Street College and taught preschool kids for a bunch of years. I loved the childrens' innocence and vivid imaginations. After moving into school administration for a few years, I began working at Scholastic, where I have been ever since.

At Scholastic, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to write children’s books. The first book that I wrote was "The Dinofours: I’m Super Dino!" Twenty-seven other Dinofours’ books followed. I hope my respect and appreciation for young children shines through in my stories.

Nowadays, I’m lucky to be married to my beautiful and talented wife, Nancy (she’s also a writer). In 1998, we were blessed with a terrific daughter, Julia, who helps criticize my story ideas and lets me play with her once in a while.

And furthermore…any recollections of my life would not be complete without mentioning my grandmother, Mutti. She was an ever present source of love, appreciation, and wisdom.

Reviews

[Dina Hodara-Bono · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son is a third grader and loved it! He read it a few times and wants to reread it again. He liked the idea that it is told from the perspective of Toto, Dorothy's dog.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically this is nearly the exact story as the Wizard of Oz but told from the perspective of Toto. It doesn't even broaden Toto's story very much. Since I love the Wizard of Oz I thought that this might be an interesting take on the story but it doesn't add enough to be even interesting.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was basically a retelling of the original Wizard of Oz story but just told from Toto's point of view. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be.