Families who loved The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Deborah Hautzig often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is starting to navigate social groups and needs a reminder that the qualities they admire in others (intelligence, heart, and courage) are often things they already possess themselves. While it is a classic adventure, at its core, this story is a psychological tool for building self-efficacy. It is perfect for children who feel they lack a specific 'strength' and need to see how a group of very different individuals can support one another to achieve a common goal. In this Penguin Young Readers adaptation, the complex prose of the original is streamlined for developing readers without losing the magical essence of Dorothy's journey through Oz. Your child will follow Dorothy and her companions as they face their fears to reach the Emerald City. It serves as an excellent bridge to longer chapter books, offering high-stakes excitement within a safe, structured narrative that emphasizes that there truly is no place like home.