Who’s who in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, with a guide to every character in our retelling for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has a small cast, and every character is clear and easy for young readers to follow. Dorothy is a kind Kansas girl who wants to go home. Along the road she makes three friends who each believe they are missing something: the Scarecrow wants brains, the Tin Woodman wants a heart and the Cowardly Lion wants courage. Toto, her little dog, is always at her side.
The story also has helpers and rivals. The Wizard rules the Emerald City but is not what he seems, Glinda is the kind Good Witch of the South and the Wicked Witch of the West is the main villain. Readers who know the 1939 film will notice some differences, such as silver shoes instead of ruby slippers. Each profile here explains who the character is, what they do and offers a question to talk over together.
A brave Kansas farm girl • Honest and loyal
Dorothy is a kind, sensible girl from a gray Kansas farm who lives with Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and her little dog Toto. When a cyclone carries her house all the way to the bright Land of Oz, she sets off down the yellow brick road to find the Wizard. Along the way she makes three loyal friends and never stops wanting to go home.
Full character guide
Dorothy’s little dog • Playful and true
Toto is Dorothy’s lively little black dog with silky fur and twinkling eyes. He chases grasshoppers on the farm, rides the cyclone all the way to Oz in Dorothy’s arms, and trots beside her on every step of the adventure. He is small, but he barks bravely at anything that seems to threaten his friends.
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A stuffed friend • Seeking wise brains
The Scarecrow is a cheerful straw man who winks at Dorothy from his pole in a Munchkin cornfield. He joins her trip because he wishes the Wizard would give him brains. Yet again and again, he notices dangers, makes plans and comes up with ideas that help his friends get through trouble.
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A gentle metal woodman • Seeking a loving heart
The Tin Woodman is a gentle woodchopper made of shiny tin. Dorothy and the Scarecrow find him stuck in the forest after rain rusted his joints, and they oil him until he can move again. He joins them hoping the Wizard will give him a heart, though he is one of the kindest travelers of all, building a raft and protecting tiny creatures.
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King of beasts • Seeking true courage
The Cowardly Lion is a huge golden lion with a mighty roar who secretly feels scared whenever danger is near. After Dorothy scolds him for trying to snap at Toto, he joins the group to ask the Wizard for courage. Even with shaking knees, he carries his friends across a deep ravine and later leads them bravely through a dark forest.
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Ruler of Oz • A gentle humbug
The Wizard of Oz rules the shining Emerald City, and everyone believes he is great and powerful. He appears to Dorothy and her friends in a different amazing shape each time and asks them to do a very hard job before he grants their wishes. In the end he turns out to be full of surprises and finds simple ways to help each friend.
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Sorceress of the South • Wise and kind
Glinda is the Good Witch of the South, a wise and gentle sorceress with red curls who lives in a pink marble palace full of roses. When Dorothy and her friends travel far to find her, Glinda listens kindly and makes sure each friend gets a happy place to belong. She also shares a wonderful secret about Dorothy’s silver shoes.
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Ruler of the West • Cruel and cowardly
The Wicked Witch of the West rules the land of the Winkies from her yellow castle. She has just one eye, but it can see a very long way, and she sends wolves, crows and Winged Monkeys after Dorothy and her friends. She wants Dorothy’s silver shoes badly, yet she cannot harm Dorothy because of the Good Witch’s protective kiss.
Full character guide