What color are Dorothy’s shoes in the book?

They are silver, not ruby red. The ruby slippers were chosen for the 1939 movie because they looked better in color film.

How does Dorothy get home to Kansas in the book?

Glinda tells her that her silver shoes can carry her anywhere in three steps. Dorothy knocks the heels together three times and is carried home.

Does Dorothy kill the Wicked Witch of the West on purpose?

No. The Witch had tricked her and stolen one of her shoes, and Dorothy threw a bucket of water at her in anger. She did not know the water would melt the Witch.

From The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Dorothy Gale

A brave Kansas farm girl • Honest and loyal

A kind, sensible Kansas farm girl who just wants to find her way home to her family.

Who is Dorothy Gale?

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.

Dorothy Gale is a character in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Dorothy Gale like?

kind
brave
loyal

Dorothy Gale’s story

Dorothy lives on a dry, gray Kansas prairie with Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and Toto. A cyclone lifts her house and drops it in the Land of Oz, where it lands on the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins cheer, and the Good Witch of the North kisses Dorothy’s forehead to leave a mark that protects her. Dorothy also receives the dead witch’s silver shoes.

She follows the yellow brick road toward the Emerald City, hoping the Wizard can send her home. On the way she befriends the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion. The Wizard agrees to help only if she destroys the Wicked Witch of the West. The Witch makes Dorothy work as a servant, and when she tricks Dorothy into losing a shoe, Dorothy angrily throws a bucket of water over her. The Witch melts away.

The Wizard cannot take her home after all, so she travels south to Glinda. There she learns the silver shoes could carry her home all along. She knocks the heels together three times and arrives back in Kansas.

“There is no place like home.”

Dorothy, telling the Scarecrow why she wants to leave Oz. From the original 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum.

A moment to remember

When the Lion tries to snap at Toto, Dorothy marches right up and swats the huge beast on the nose to protect her little dog.

Toto: her little dog
Scarecrow: first traveling friend
Tin Woodman: traveling friend
Cowardly Lion: traveling friend
Glinda the Good Witch: tells her how to get home

Talk about it

Dorothy loved Oz, but she still wanted to go home. What makes your home a special place to come back to?

Questions about Dorothy Gale

What color are Dorothy’s shoes in the book?: They are silver, not ruby red. The ruby slippers were chosen for the 1939 movie because they looked better in color film.
How does Dorothy get home to Kansas in the book?: Glinda tells her that her silver shoes can carry her anywhere in three steps. Dorothy knocks the heels together three times and is carried home.
Does Dorothy kill the Wicked Witch of the West on purpose?: No. The Witch had tricked her and stolen one of her shoes, and Dorothy threw a bucket of water at her in anger. She did not know the water would melt the Witch.