About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is ready to move beyond simple hero stories and explore the power of cleverness and empathy in the face of strange, intimidating obstacles. It is a perfect choice for children who are starting to navigate social groups and need to see how diverse personalities can work together toward a common goal. This classic adventure follows Dorothy Gale as she is swept into the Land of Ev, a place filled with mechanical marvels and bizarre rulers. Along with a talking hen and a clockwork man, Dorothy must use her wits to rescue a royal family from a king who turns people into knick-knacks. At its heart, the story explores resilience and the importance of remaining kind even when a situation feels surreal or scary. While it features moments of peril and a few eerie characters, the tone remains grounded by Dorothy's practical nature. It is an excellent bridge for middle-elementary readers who are ready for slightly more complex fantasy world-building while still enjoying the whimsical, safe feeling of a traditional fairy tale.
