L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Penguin Young Readers, Level 4)
Penguin Young Readers, Level 2 Series
on Goodreads (68)
What’s inside...
When a tornado hits her farmhouse in Kansas, Dorothy is caught up in a whirlwind of adventure, complete with flying monkeys, talking lions, and silver slippers. Advanced readers will join Dorothy, Toto, and her friends from Oz on an unforgettable journey down the Yellow Brick Road in this Level 4 reader. The Wizard of Oz will now join classics like The Secret Garden and Alice in Wonderland in the Penguin Young Readers program!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Dorothy felt when she first arrived in Oz? Can you relate to her feelings?
Why do you think the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion were looking for a brain, a heart, and courage? What does that tell us about what's important in life?
What would you do if you were in Dorothy's shoes and met the Wicked Witch? How would you handle the situation?
If you had to pick one character from the book who you would want to be friends with, who would it be and why?
What do you think is the main message of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'? How can we apply this message in our daily lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
As you explore 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' with your child, use the book as a springboard for deeper conversations. Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story and its characters. Draw parallels between the challenges the characters face and real-life situations your child might encounter. Ask them to think about the qualities they admire in the characters and how they can embody those traits themselves. Most importantly, enjoy the journey together, letting your child's imagination and insights guide the conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and self-confidence
Explanation: In the story, the Cowardly Lion believes he lacks courage but eventually learns that courage is not about being fearless, but about facing fears and acting in spite of them.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize their own bravery in situations where they feel afraid, understanding that being courageous means taking action even when they are scared.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Dorothy and her friends, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, work together to overcome obstacles. This teamwork highlights how each character contributes their unique strengths to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by valuing and leveraging the different strengths of their peers in group projects or during play, enhancing cooperative skills and mutual respect.
Example Lesson: Self-discovery and personal growth
Explanation: Throughout her journey in Oz, Dorothy learns more about herself and what is truly important to her – her home and family. This journey of self-discovery is central to her development.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery through exploration, curiosity, and learning, thereby understanding themselves better and what they value most.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: Dorothy and her companions frequently encounter challenges that require quick thinking and creative solutions, which helps them navigate through the land of Oz.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can help them in academic settings and everyday life decisions.