Although L. Frank Baum is not the most talented writer, his Oz stories are certainly entertaining! The characters are bizarre and fascinating, whether it be a tiger that can not satisfy his appetite and morals at the same time, or a creepy princess that can change heads, the characters are what keeps you interested and wanting to read more. A lot of people say this is their favorite Oz book, but I preferred Marvelous Land of Oz, maybe because it is a bit darker. I do love the Nome King and the game he makes them play, but even that was dragged out longer than it should have been, and had a very simple solution by the end.

The biggest problem I have with these books is how simple the storyline always is. I didn't read these books as a child, but I've re-read books from my childhood like Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass which are both much more complicated, and I understood them now as much as I did as a child. Maybe Baum thought kids couldn't comprehend complicated plots. No adult ever recommended that I read the Oz books, and they are written at about a 5-year-olds reading level, but they are too long and intimidating for a 5 year old to pick up. I think this is a huge reason I never read these books as a child, and why children don't read the Oz books today, despite them being a famous children's story. They would make great books to read to your very young children before bed, but I feel like everyone else who reads these are going to be left unsatisfied.