L. Frank Baum released "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" as a children's book in 1900. The plot centers on the exploits of Dorothy Gale, a small child who lives in Kansas with her aunt and uncle. Toto and Dorothy are carried by a tornado to the fantastical country of Oz. She turns to the Wizard of Oz, who resides in the Emerald City, for assistance in finding a means to go back home. She encounters a cowardly lion, a tin woodman, and a scarecrow along the route, who all decide to accompany her on her quest. Together, they encounter a variety of difficulties and challenges, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks Dorothy's magical silver slippers as justification for her murder. At the end of the story, Dorothy learns the importance of self-confidence and realizes that there is no place like home.
