From The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz
Ruler of Oz • A gentle humbug
A kindly old balloonist who pretends to be a mighty wizard so nobody discovers his secret.
Who is The Wizard of Oz?
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.
The Wizard of Oz 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 The Wizard of Oz like?
- mysterious
- clever
- kindly
The Wizard of Oz’s story
Oz is known as the Great and Terrible, and he lives in the Emerald City. He meets each traveler separately, and each sees him differently: a giant head for Dorothy, a lovely lady for the Scarecrow, a terrible beast for the Woodman and a ball of fire for the Lion. He agrees to help them only if they destroy the Wicked Witch of the West.
When they return, Toto knocks over a screen and shows that Oz is an ordinary old man from Omaha. He was once a ventriloquist and balloonist, and his balloon blew him into Oz. He fooled the people and gave them green spectacles so everything looked green. He is ashamed, but he still gives each friend a gift. The Scarecrow gets brains, the Tin Woodman a silk heart and the Lion a dish of courage.
He plans to take Dorothy home in his balloon, but it floats away before she can climb in. He leaves the Scarecrow in charge.
“I am a humbug.”
A moment to remember
The Wizard stirs bran and pins into the Scarecrow’s straw head, a playful gift that leaves the Scarecrow feeling sharp and proud.
Family and friends
- Dorothy Gale: promises to send her home
- Scarecrow: gives him brains and leaves him in charge
- Tin Woodman: gives him a heart
- Cowardly Lion: gives him courage
- Toto: accidentally uncovers him
Talk about it
The Wizard’s gifts were simple, but they helped his friends believe in themselves. What helps you believe in yourself?
Questions about The Wizard of Oz
- Is the Wizard of Oz really a wizard in the book?
- No. He is an ordinary man from Omaha who came to Oz by balloon. He used tricks, such as throwing his voice, to seem magical.
- What does the Wizard give each of Dorothy’s friends?
- He fills the Scarecrow’s head with bran, pins and needles, and puts a silk heart stuffed with sawdust in the Tin Woodman. The Lion drinks a green liquid that is called courage.
- How does the Wizard leave Oz?
- He leaves in his balloon. Dorothy misses it because Toto runs into the crowd and she chases him.
Read the story in
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Ages 6–9, 72 pages
