From the bedtime story by L. Frank Baum to the classic 1939 film, no story has captured the imaginations of generations of children — and adults — like The Wizard of Oz. The story of Dorothy’s journey through Oz, the colorful characters, places, songs, and dialogue have permeated popular culture around the world. The contributors to this volume take a very close look at The Wizard of Oz and ask the tough questions about this wonderful tale. They wonder if someone can possess a virtue without knowing it, and if the realm of Oz was really the dream or if Kansas was the dream. Why does water melt the Wicked Witch of the West and why does Toto seem to know what the other characters can’t seem to figure out? The articles included tackle these compelling questions and more, encouraging readers to have discussions of their own.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900, it has since been reprinted numerous times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of both the popular 1902 Broadway musical and the well-known 1939 film adaptation. The story chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Dorothy Gale in the Land of Oz, after being swept away from her Kansas farm home in a cyclone.[nb 1] The novel is one of the best-known stories in American popular culture and has been widely translated. Its initial success, and the success of the 1902 Broadway musical which Baum adapted from his original story, led to Baum's writing thirteen more Oz books. The original book has been in the public domain in the US since 1956. Baum dedicated the book "to my good friend & comrade, My Wife," Maud Gage Baum. In January 1901, George M. Hill Company, the publisher, completed printing the first edition, which totaled 10,000 copies.

The Mexican Chubasco is an epic novel about the Mexican Revolution as seen through the eyes of Ruben Valderano, the middle son of a wealthy Sonora landowner. A clash with his older brother leads to schooling in Spain and France. After returning to Mexico, Ruben becomes a military leader and a key ally of Alvaro Obregon, Mexico's future president. Ruben becomes a military observer during WWI and has romantic liaisons with several women in Europe, eventually marrying and divorcing. He returns to Mexico with his young son and helps Obregon become president, and is at his side when the president elect is assassinated. Later he is shot by would be killers and leaves Mexico and relocates to the U.S. He becomes an international authority and successful writer on modern warfare, and through his American wife befriends Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. He returns to Mexico in 1936 at the request of President Lazaro Cardenas and meets Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Through Ruben's experiences the reader enjoys a rich world of events, fascinating characters and important insights into critical events in Mexico, Europe and the U.S. It is a whirlwind of adventure, drama and romance that is not to be missed.

In 'Ozoplaning with the Wizard of Oz' by Ruth Plumly Thompson, readers are taken on a whimsical journey back to the magical land of Oz. The book maintains the same fantastical elements and imaginative storytelling as L. Frank Baum's original series, with vibrant characters and enchanting settings. Thompson's literary style is engaging, with a focus on adventure and the power of friendship, making it a delightful read for all ages. Set within the literary context of the Oz series, this book continues to expand the beloved world created by Baum, adding new dimensions and adventures. Fans of fantasy and children's literature will appreciate the timeless charm and creativity of this story. Ruth Plumly Thompson, known for her contributions to the Oz series as a writer after Baum's passing, brings her own unique perspective and creativity to 'Ozoplaning with the Wizard of Oz'. Drawing on her experience of continuing the beloved series, Thompson crafts a tale that seamlessly fits within the existing Oz universe while introducing new and exciting elements. Recommended for readers who enjoy classic fantasy and the enchanting world of Oz, this book is a charming addition to the series that will captivate audiences old and new.

PUT YOURSELF IN DOROTHY'S SHOES... Can "The Wizard of Oz" story be used as an allegory of the spiritual path with enough depth and universality to embody core spiritual truths common to all faiths? This book says "yes!" The author invents the concept of the "spiritual monomyth" and builds one on a story that is not offensive to any religion and therefore can serve all of them. The result is a journey of finding common ground and mutual understanding so desperately needed in the world today. And that journey is a journey you take within yourself.