The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum, but W.W. Denslow actively collaborated on the work by developing characters both visually and psychologically. They shared copyright, which later led to their fight after the adaptation for the stage. W. W. Denslow later used the characters for some of his projects, and Baum continued with a series that eventually outlived him with over 30 (!) books. They were all financial success, yet none of them achieved the popularity of the first book.
The book Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published by Geo M. Hill Co. in Chicago and New York in 1900.
In the introduction, Baum explains the need to write a story about the adventures in the Land of Oz. If we may simplify his thoughts, children have enjoyed the classic fairy tales by the Grimm Brothers and Hans Christian Andersen, but he believed it was time to write a fairy tale without the gory parts from the classics and focus on pure entertainment.
While the book was published in 1900, it was copyrighted a year before.
There are 24 four chapters in the book. We will present them with short summaries and all of Denslow's illustrations, including the ones where the graphic part is fused with the text.
Baum dedicated the book to his wife, Maud Gage Baum (1861-1953).
Chapter I
Chapter I
Cyclone
A cyclone lifts a house with Dorothy and her dog Toto. They travel into an unknown land. When they fell asleep, a house lands.
A cyclone lifts a house with Dorothy and her dog Toto. They travel into an unknown land. When they fell asleep, a house lands.
Chapter II
A Council with the Munchkins
Dorothy awakes. She is surrounded by strange little men. They thank her for freeing them from the Wicked Witch of the East. Dorothy's house landed on the witch, and now she is splashed. The girl asks how to get back to Kansas, and the Munchkins suggest that she travel to the Emerald City. There lives a mighty wizard who can help her. A good witch from the North appears there and gives Dorothy the shoes of the Wicked Witch from the East. They are magical, but Dorothy doesn't know how to use them. The good witch also kisses her on the forehead for protection.
Dorothy awakes. She is surrounded by strange little men. They thank her for freeing them from the Wicked Witch of the East. Dorothy's house landed on the witch, and now she is splashed. The girl asks how to get back to Kansas, and the Munchkins suggest that she travel to the Emerald City. There lives a mighty wizard who can help her. A good witch from the North appears there and gives Dorothy the shoes of the Wicked Witch from the East. They are magical, but Dorothy doesn't know how to use them. The good witch also kisses her on the forehead for protection.
Chapter III
How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow
Dorothy has to follow a yellow-bricked road that leads to the Emerald City. On her way, she stops at one of the Muchkin's houses, where she is a guest of honor. When she continues, she finds a scarecrow on a pole. She frees him and tells him she is going to the Emerald City to get help. Scarecrow wants to join her. He has a wish, too. He is made of straw and wants to get brains.
Dorothy has to follow a yellow-bricked road that leads to the Emerald City. On her way, she stops at one of the Muchkin's houses, where she is a guest of honor. When she continues, she finds a scarecrow on a pole. She frees him and tells him she is going to the Emerald City to get help. Scarecrow wants to join her. He has a wish, too. He is made of straw and wants to get brains.
Chapter IV
The Road Through the Forest
Dorothy, Toto, and Scarecrow follow the yellow-bricked road through the forest. They talk. Scarecrow tells his life story. It's quite short because he is only one day old. Dorothy needs a pause so she can eat bread. Scarecrow doesn't have to eat. He doesn't need sleep, too. But when Dorothy and Toto feel tired, and they find a cottage, they enter, and Scarecrow patiently waits while Dorothy and her doggie sleep.
Dorothy, Toto, and Scarecrow follow the yellow-bricked road through the forest. They talk. Scarecrow tells his life story. It's quite short because he is only one day old. Dorothy needs a pause so she can eat bread. Scarecrow doesn't have to eat. He doesn't need sleep, too. But when Dorothy and Toto feel tired, and they find a cottage, they enter, and Scarecrow patiently waits while Dorothy and her doggie sleep.
Chapter V
The Rescue of the Tin Woodman
Later, Dorothy and Scarecrow meet Tin Woodman. He is paralyzed because of rust. They oil his joints and soon he is good to go. He wants to join the party on the way to the Emerald City. Tin Woodman wants a heart. He tells a story about his life. Tin Woodman was not made of tin from birth. He fell in love with one of the Munchkin girls who lived with an old lady. The old lady didn't want to lose her companion, so she paid the wicked Witch of the East to enchant the woodman's axe. The axe cut off his body parts one by one. His body was eventually completely replaced with tin, but he had lost his heart.
Later, Dorothy and Scarecrow meet Tin Woodman. He is paralyzed because of rust. They oil his joints and soon he is good to go. He wants to join the party on the way to the Emerald City. Tin Woodman wants a heart. He tells a story about his life. Tin Woodman was not made of tin from birth. He fell in love with one of the Munchkin girls who lived with an old lady. The old lady didn't want to lose her companion, so she paid the wicked Witch of the East to enchant the woodman's axe. The axe cut off his body parts one by one. His body was eventually completely replaced with tin, but he had lost his heart.
Chapter VI
The Cowardly Lion
Dorothy and her companions continue through the woods and meet a lion. He is huge, and his roaring is terrifying, but he is in trouble as well. He admits he is actually a coward and asks if he can join the others. They agree.
Dorothy and her companions continue through the woods and meet a lion. He is huge, and his roaring is terrifying, but he is in trouble as well. He admits he is actually a coward and asks if he can join the others. They agree.
Chapter VII
The Journey to the Great Oz
Dorothy and Toto become hungry. Their reserves of food are empty. Scarecrow and tin Woodman don't need food, but the Lion is willing to hunt for three. Instead, Scarecrow finds a lot of nuts, and the problem is temporarily solved. The next day, they have to cross a great ditch. It's too wide for everybody except for the Lion. He takes everybody across, one by one, by jumping. But soon, another ditch, even wider, appears in front of them.
And two dangerous Khalidas start coming closer and closer. If you don't know, Khalidas are monsters similar to crosses between bears and tigers, but bigger. The Lion admits they are much stronger. The situation seems bad. Then, the Scarecrow spots a tree near the ditch and asks Tin Woodman to cut it so Dorothy and others can run on the other side. When the Khalidas try to follow, Tin Woodman cuts the tree on their side, and it breaks. By falling down, both Khalidas fall as well.
Dorothy and Toto become hungry. Their reserves of food are empty. Scarecrow and tin Woodman don't need food, but the Lion is willing to hunt for three. Instead, Scarecrow finds a lot of nuts, and the problem is temporarily solved. The next day, they have to cross a great ditch. It's too wide for everybody except for the Lion. He takes everybody across, one by one, by jumping. But soon, another ditch, even wider, appears in front of them.
And two dangerous Khalidas start coming closer and closer. If you don't know, Khalidas are monsters similar to crosses between bears and tigers, but bigger. The Lion admits they are much stronger. The situation seems bad. Then, the Scarecrow spots a tree near the ditch and asks Tin Woodman to cut it so Dorothy and others can run on the other side. When the Khalidas try to follow, Tin Woodman cuts the tree on their side, and it breaks. By falling down, both Khalidas fall as well.
Chapter VIII
The Deadly Poppy Field
Not much later, Dorothy and her friends have to cross a river. Again, Tin Woodman's axe helped. They make a raft and try to cross the stream. Unfortunately, the Scarecrow's pole sticks in the mud, and they come across without the Scarecrow. Luckily, a Stork flies by and helps them by taking the Scarecrow from the pole to the bank.
The party of travelers continues through the field where more and more poppies are growing. Finally, they were surrounded by them and their sleepy smell. Dorothy and Toto soon drop down. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, who can't smell, take them and run over the field. The Lion runs, too, but the odor is too strong for him as well. When Dorothy and Toto are safe, Scarecrow and Tin Woodman don't know what to do. The Lion is too heavy for them.
Not much later, Dorothy and her friends have to cross a river. Again, Tin Woodman's axe helped. They make a raft and try to cross the stream. Unfortunately, the Scarecrow's pole sticks in the mud, and they come across without the Scarecrow. Luckily, a Stork flies by and helps them by taking the Scarecrow from the pole to the bank.
The party of travelers continues through the field where more and more poppies are growing. Finally, they were surrounded by them and their sleepy smell. Dorothy and Toto soon drop down. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, who can't smell, take them and run over the field. The Lion runs, too, but the odor is too strong for him as well. When Dorothy and Toto are safe, Scarecrow and Tin Woodman don't know what to do. The Lion is too heavy for them.
Chapter IX
The Queen of the Field Mice
Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman are already accepting the bitter end of the Lion when a mouse runs closer, chased by a wild cat. Tin Woodman kills the cat and the mouse tells him she is the queen of the mice. She offers help and thousands of mice take the Lion to safety.
Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman are already accepting the bitter end of the Lion when a mouse runs closer, chased by a wild cat. Tin Woodman kills the cat and the mouse tells him she is the queen of the mice. She offers help and thousands of mice take the Lion to safety.
Chapter X
The Guardian of the Gate
When the Lion recovers, they continue. The land becomes more civilized. It seems they are finally in the Lando of Oz. They find a farm and ask for a shelter. Dorothy's party inquires about Oz and is informed they will soon reach the city wall. Indeed, there's a wall with a gate and a guardian. He is willing to let them in but on one condition. They must all wear special green glasses. They will protect their eyes from shiny emeralds.
When the Lion recovers, they continue. The land becomes more civilized. It seems they are finally in the Lando of Oz. They find a farm and ask for a shelter. Dorothy's party inquires about Oz and is informed they will soon reach the city wall. Indeed, there's a wall with a gate and a guardian. He is willing to let them in but on one condition. They must all wear special green glasses. They will protect their eyes from shiny emeralds.
Chapter XI
The Wonderful Emerald City of Oz
Dorothy's party is enchanted with the dazzling green tones of the Emerald City. The guardian leads them to the palace with a soldier in front. He takes them in and soon, they are informed they can meet Oz. But only one at a time and one per day. The first is Dorothy. She is impressed by the look of the wizard. She is also disappointed with his answer. He can take her to Kansas only if she destroys the Wicked Witch of the West.
The next day, the Scarecrow meets the Wizard of Oz in a completely different form. The wizard looks like a beautiful young woman. But his answer is almost the same. The mighty Oz will help him to get brains only after the Wicked Witch of the West is dead.
The Tin Woodman sees the wizard as the beast and the Lion sees him as a shiny ball. The answer stays the same. They will get help only after the Wicked Witch of the West is gone.
Dorothy's party is enchanted with the dazzling green tones of the Emerald City. The guardian leads them to the palace with a soldier in front. He takes them in and soon, they are informed they can meet Oz. But only one at a time and one per day. The first is Dorothy. She is impressed by the look of the wizard. She is also disappointed with his answer. He can take her to Kansas only if she destroys the Wicked Witch of the West.
The next day, the Scarecrow meets the Wizard of Oz in a completely different form. The wizard looks like a beautiful young woman. But his answer is almost the same. The mighty Oz will help him to get brains only after the Wicked Witch of the West is dead.
The Tin Woodman sees the wizard as the beast and the Lion sees him as a shiny ball. The answer stays the same. They will get help only after the Wicked Witch of the West is gone.
Chapter XII
The Search for the Wicked Witch
All five friends decide to find the Wicked Witch of the West. But there is no road to her land because nobody wants to go there. If somebody enters into her land, she immediately enslaves him. When they come closer, she spots the party with her magic eye. They don't look useful to her, so she decides they should be killed instead of enslaved. She sends a wolf to kill them, but the Tin Woodman chops their heads. The Scarecrow takes care of the crows, and the next atackers, and the Lion scares the Winkies, who are sent after.
The Wicked Witch decides to use her ultimate power. With a golden cap, she sends for the flying monkeys who are obligated to fulfill three wishes to the owner. She already used two wishes before, but the situation seems serious enough to use the last one. The Winged Monkeys catch all five friends. They pull the straw out of the Scarecrow and drop the Tin Woodman on the sharp rocks. They bring the rest three to the witch. She wants to make the powerful Lion her slave and Dorothy a cleaning lady. She can't harm her because of the mark on her forehead, the kiss from the good witch. The Wicked Witch of the West also spots the magic shoes on Dorothy's feet. She wants them.
Her plan fails. Dorothy pours water over the witch not knowing this is her weak spot. She had never touched water in her life. When water flows over her body, it melts like sugar. The wicked witch is gone.
Dorothy releases the Lion and takes a golden cap without knowing her magical properties.
All five friends decide to find the Wicked Witch of the West. But there is no road to her land because nobody wants to go there. If somebody enters into her land, she immediately enslaves him. When they come closer, she spots the party with her magic eye. They don't look useful to her, so she decides they should be killed instead of enslaved. She sends a wolf to kill them, but the Tin Woodman chops their heads. The Scarecrow takes care of the crows, and the next atackers, and the Lion scares the Winkies, who are sent after.
The Wicked Witch decides to use her ultimate power. With a golden cap, she sends for the flying monkeys who are obligated to fulfill three wishes to the owner. She already used two wishes before, but the situation seems serious enough to use the last one. The Winged Monkeys catch all five friends. They pull the straw out of the Scarecrow and drop the Tin Woodman on the sharp rocks. They bring the rest three to the witch. She wants to make the powerful Lion her slave and Dorothy a cleaning lady. She can't harm her because of the mark on her forehead, the kiss from the good witch. The Wicked Witch of the West also spots the magic shoes on Dorothy's feet. She wants them.
Her plan fails. Dorothy pours water over the witch not knowing this is her weak spot. She had never touched water in her life. When water flows over her body, it melts like sugar. The wicked witch is gone.
Dorothy releases the Lion and takes a golden cap without knowing her magical properties.
Chapter XIII
The Rescue
The trio wants to try to reunite with the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman. They are both found and repaired by happy Winkies who are not enslaved anymore. Soon, all five want to return to Emerald City.
The trio wants to try to reunite with the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman. They are both found and repaired by happy Winkies who are not enslaved anymore. Soon, all five want to return to Emerald City.
Chapter XIV
The Winged Monkeys
Then they remember there is no road between the Emerald City and the West. They call the queen mouse for help and she tells them about the magic properties of the golden cap. They call the Winged Monkeys who carry them to the Emerald City.
On their way, they hear a story about the golden cap. It involves a naughty king of the Wing Monkeys and an angry witch who had a good heart but was offended when they threw her loved one into the river. As punishment, she created the golden cap.
Then they remember there is no road between the Emerald City and the West. They call the queen mouse for help and she tells them about the magic properties of the golden cap. They call the Winged Monkeys who carry them to the Emerald City.
On their way, they hear a story about the golden cap. It involves a naughty king of the Wing Monkeys and an angry witch who had a good heart but was offended when they threw her loved one into the river. As punishment, she created the golden cap.
Chapter XV
The Discovery of Oz, the Terrible
The Winged Monkeys delivered Dorothy and her friends in front of the gate to the Emerald City. They want to meet with Oz who promises to solve their problems if the Wicked Witch is destroyed. Oz is surprised, but they are even more when they accidentally find out his true identity. He is not a mighty wizard, but a common man from Omaha who landed in this strange place many years ago by a balloon. He is not a wizard. He is a humbug. Still, he has a few ideas on how to help them. The hardest part would be to send Dorothy back to Kansas, but he is motivated to return home as well, so this should not be impossible.
The Winged Monkeys delivered Dorothy and her friends in front of the gate to the Emerald City. They want to meet with Oz who promises to solve their problems if the Wicked Witch is destroyed. Oz is surprised, but they are even more when they accidentally find out his true identity. He is not a mighty wizard, but a common man from Omaha who landed in this strange place many years ago by a balloon. He is not a wizard. He is a humbug. Still, he has a few ideas on how to help them. The hardest part would be to send Dorothy back to Kansas, but he is motivated to return home as well, so this should not be impossible.
Chapter XVI
The Magic Art of the Great Humbug
The next morning, the Wizard of Oz starts giving Dorothy's friends what they want. The Scarecrow gets needles and pins instead of straw in his head. The tin Woodman gets a heart made of velvet, soft and tender as he wished. The Lion gets a bottle, full of strange liquid. The wizard tells him to drink it immediately, because, only then the liquid could be called courage. Indeed, the Lion drinks it and feels full of courage.
Dorothy is still waiting.
The next morning, the Wizard of Oz starts giving Dorothy's friends what they want. The Scarecrow gets needles and pins instead of straw in his head. The tin Woodman gets a heart made of velvet, soft and tender as he wished. The Lion gets a bottle, full of strange liquid. The wizard tells him to drink it immediately, because, only then the liquid could be called courage. Indeed, the Lion drinks it and feels full of courage.
Dorothy is still waiting.
Chapter XVII
How the Balloon was Launched
Three days later, Dorothy hears that the solution is here. The wizard had prepared a hot-air balloon to lift them up and fly to Omaha and Kansas, or at least somewhere near. She says goodbye and wants to get in the balloon's basket, but Toto, her doggie, spots a cat in the crowd and runs toward it. When Dorothy returns with the naughty dog, the balloon with the wizard is already too high to reach!
The Wise Scarecrow becomes the new ruler of the Emerald City.
Three days later, Dorothy hears that the solution is here. The wizard had prepared a hot-air balloon to lift them up and fly to Omaha and Kansas, or at least somewhere near. She says goodbye and wants to get in the balloon's basket, but Toto, her doggie, spots a cat in the crowd and runs toward it. When Dorothy returns with the naughty dog, the balloon with the wizard is already too high to reach!
The Wise Scarecrow becomes the new ruler of the Emerald City.
Chapter XVIII
Away to the South
Dorothy and her friends try to find a solution for her. The Scarecrow advises to call the Winged Monkeys and ask them to carry Dorothy to Kansas. But they can't do that. Kansas is out of reach for its abilities. The charm of the golden cap is waster. Then, the call for the soldier, who has another idea. Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, might know how to reach Kansas.
They agree to travel to Glinda's kingdom the next morning.
Dorothy and her friends try to find a solution for her. The Scarecrow advises to call the Winged Monkeys and ask them to carry Dorothy to Kansas. But they can't do that. Kansas is out of reach for its abilities. The charm of the golden cap is waster. Then, the call for the soldier, who has another idea. Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, might know how to reach Kansas.
They agree to travel to Glinda's kingdom the next morning.
Chapter XIX
Attacked by the Fighting Trees
On their way, they have to pass through the woods. But some of the trees start acting strange. They are able to grab the passengers and through them out. Again, the Tin Woodman and his axe solve the problem. When they come out of the woods, they face another obstacle: a wall.
On their way, they have to pass through the woods. But some of the trees start acting strange. They are able to grab the passengers and through them out. Again, the Tin Woodman and his axe solve the problem. When they come out of the woods, they face another obstacle: a wall.
Chapter XX
The Dainty China Country
The wall is high and made of porcelain. The Tin Woodman makes a ladder, and they get across. They find a strange country where everything is made of china, people included. Dorothy's party causes some minor damage, but they pass the country quickly until they reach another wall. This one is lower, so they can climb across.
The wall is high and made of porcelain. The Tin Woodman makes a ladder, and they get across. They find a strange country where everything is made of china, people included. Dorothy's party causes some minor damage, but they pass the country quickly until they reach another wall. This one is lower, so they can climb across.
Chapter XXI
The Lion Becomes the King of Beasts
The party leaves the state where everything is made of porcelain and starts crossing a much wilder environment. A few animals meet them and ask the Lion if he can help. Isn't he a king of animals? They tell him about a large monster similar to a giant spider who terrorizes the animals. Nobody can face it.
The Lion finds the monster sleeping and kills it. He promises he will reign the country as the king of the animals. But only after he helps Dorothy.
The party leaves the state where everything is made of porcelain and starts crossing a much wilder environment. A few animals meet them and ask the Lion if he can help. Isn't he a king of animals? They tell him about a large monster similar to a giant spider who terrorizes the animals. Nobody can face it.
The Lion finds the monster sleeping and kills it. He promises he will reign the country as the king of the animals. But only after he helps Dorothy.
The Country of the Quadlings
There is one more obstacle before the kingdom of Glinda, the good witch. They have to climb a hill. It's not a high hill, but there are a few little men with big heads on wrinkled necks. They say nobody can go across the hill. Dorothy and her friends don't find them dangerous because they have no hands. Soon, they find the power of their heads on stretchable necks. The Scarecrow tumbles down the hill, and the Lion is their next victim. And a lot of such creatures appear on the hill.
The party decides to use the third charm from the golden cap. The Winged Monkeys take them across the hill at safe levels of altitude. Soon, they ask for the audience at the Good Witch of the South.
There is one more obstacle before the kingdom of Glinda, the good witch. They have to climb a hill. It's not a high hill, but there are a few little men with big heads on wrinkled necks. They say nobody can go across the hill. Dorothy and her friends don't find them dangerous because they have no hands. Soon, they find the power of their heads on stretchable necks. The Scarecrow tumbles down the hill, and the Lion is their next victim. And a lot of such creatures appear on the hill.
The party decides to use the third charm from the golden cap. The Winged Monkeys take them across the hill at safe levels of altitude. Soon, they ask for the audience at the Good Witch of the South.
Chapter XXIII
The Good Witch Grants Dorothy's Wish
After refreshment, they are taken to the room where Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, sits on the throne. Dorothy asks her for help. She still wants to return to Kansas to her aunt and her uncle. Glinda can help her but wants a golden cap in return. Dorothy willingly gives her a cap, which is of no use for her anymore. Glinda says she will need exactly three wishes fulfilled by the Winged Monkey, and then she will give the cap to them, setting the flying monkeys free from the charm.
She plans to use one wish for taking the Scarecrow back to the Emerald City, one for taking Tin Woodman to the West, and one for taking the Lion to the land of the best. All three will become new rulers of those areas. And Dorothy?
She already possesses the ability to return to Kansas. She just has to clap with her shoes and think about the place she wants to go.
Dorothy says goodbye to everybody and claps with her shoes.
After refreshment, they are taken to the room where Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, sits on the throne. Dorothy asks her for help. She still wants to return to Kansas to her aunt and her uncle. Glinda can help her but wants a golden cap in return. Dorothy willingly gives her a cap, which is of no use for her anymore. Glinda says she will need exactly three wishes fulfilled by the Winged Monkey, and then she will give the cap to them, setting the flying monkeys free from the charm.
She plans to use one wish for taking the Scarecrow back to the Emerald City, one for taking Tin Woodman to the West, and one for taking the Lion to the land of the best. All three will become new rulers of those areas. And Dorothy?
She already possesses the ability to return to Kansas. She just has to clap with her shoes and think about the place she wants to go.
Dorothy says goodbye to everybody and claps with her shoes.
Chapter XXIV
Home Again
Dorothy loses her shoes on her way through the air but safely lands in front of the house with her aunt and her uncle. They are all happy. This is where the story ends.
Dorothy loses her shoes on her way through the air but safely lands in front of the house with her aunt and her uncle. They are all happy. This is where the story ends.
The success of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz led to many sequels. They were all successful, but none of them were nearly as popular as the first book. You can explore more books from the Land of Oz or express your inner artistic talents by coloring Wizard of Oz coloring pages.
Check out other works by W. W. Denslow as well!
Check out other works by W. W. Denslow as well!
