This Book is DedicatedTo My GranddaughterOZMA BAUM

To My Readers

Some of my youthful readers are developing wonderfulimaginations. This pleases me. Imagination has broughtmankind through the Dark Ages to its present state ofcivilization. Imagination led Columbus to discoverAmerica. Imagination led Franklin to discoverelectricity. Imagination has given us the steam engine,the telephone, the talking-machine and the automobile,for these things had to be dreamed of before theybecame realities. So I believe that dreams -- daydreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and yourbrain-machinery whizzing -- are likely to lead to thebetterment of the world. The imaginative child willbecome the imaginative man or woman most apt to create,to invent, and therefore to foster civilization. Aprominent educator tells me that fairy tales are ofuntold value in developing imagination in the young. Ibelieve it.

Among the letters I receive from children are manycontaining suggestions of "what to write about in thenext Oz Book." Some of the ideas advanced are mightyinteresting, while others are too extravagant to beseriously considered -- even in a fairy tale. Yet Ilike them all, and I must admit that the main idea in"The Lost Princess of Oz" was suggested to me by asweet little girl of eleven who called to see me and totalk about the Land of Oz. Said she: "I s'pose if Ozmaever got lost, or stolen, ev'rybody in Oz would bedreadful sorry."

That was all, but quite enough foundation to buildthis present story on. If you happen to like the story,give credit to my little friend's clever hint.

L. Frank BaumRoyal Historian of Oz