Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- The Wizard of Oz has been hugely popular for more than a century. Which element(s) of the story make it so appealing to so many people?
- Do you think that Oz seems like a good place to live? Why or why not?
- If you had to choose just one—a brain, a heart, or courage—which would it be? Explain your answer.
- In his preface, the author wrote that his book "was written solely to please children of today." Which parts of the book might be especially appealing to children? Which parts might appeal more to adults?
- Oz is a fantastic place, but it also has a lot of real world elements. In what ways is Oz like the real world?
- In his introduction to the book, Baum says that since modern education includes morality, cautionary tales like the ones written by the Brothers Grimm are no longer necessary. Instead, children's stories can be purely entertaining. Do you agree? Does Baum's book fits that description? Does it teach any lessons or is it purely entertaining?
- What elements of the classic fairy tale does the Wonderful Wizard of Oz include? How is it different from a classic fairy tale?