Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz is the fourth installment in L. Frank Baum's beloved Oz series, offering a more adventurous and at times darker journey than its predecessors. The story begins with Dorothy, her cousin Zeb, her cat Eureka, and the horse Jim, along with the returning Wizard of Oz, being swallowed by an earthquake in California. This catastrophic event plunges them into a series of bizarre and perilous underground kingdoms, including the Glass City of the vegetable Mangaboos, the Valley of Voe with its invisible inhabitants, and the wooden world of the terrifying Gargoyles. The narrative is a relentless succession of challenges and escapes, highlighting themes of perseverance and courage as the group strives to reach the safety of Oz.
Baum handles sensitive topics, such as peril and the threat of death, quite directly, which was noted by contemporary critics as being darker than his usual style. The gruesome demise of the vegetable people and the menacing nature of the Gargoyles are presented without much softening, which can be intense for younger readers. The emotional arc is one of constant tension and struggle, culminating in a hopeful rescue by Ozma, followed by a period of relative calm and discovery in the Emerald City.
This book is specifically for children who enjoy classic fantasy adventures and are ready for a story with higher stakes and more complex, sometimes unsettling, imaginative elements. It's an excellent choice for a child who has already enjoyed the first few Oz books and is eager to delve deeper into Baum's expansive world. A parent might reach for this book when their child is looking for a thrilling fantasy read, or to introduce them to the broader Oz canon beyond the well-known first book and movie. Parents should be prepared to discuss the more intense scenes, such as the characters facing execution or being attacked by monsters, and the Wizard's 'humbug' magic versus true magic. Younger elementary children (ages 6-8) might find some scenes genuinely frightening and benefit from a read-aloud with discussion, while older elementary children (ages 9-12) will likely appreciate the fast-paced adventure and imaginative world-building independently. What makes this book different is its departure from the more whimsical tone of earlier Oz books, embracing a more perilous, subterranean adventure that expands the scope of Baum's fantastical universe and further develops the Wizard's character from a mere humbug to a more complex, resourceful figure.
