Perhaps I should admit on the title page that this book is "By L.Frank Baum and his correspondents," for I have used many suggestionsconveyed to me in letters from children. Once on a time I reallyimagined myself "an author of fairy tales," but now I am merely aneditor or private secretary for a host of youngsters whose ideas I amrequestsed to weave into the thread of my stories.

These ideas are often clever. They are also logical and interesting.So I have used them whenever I could find an opportunity, and it isbut just that I acknowledge my indebtedness to my little friends.

My, what imaginations these children have developed! Sometimes I amfairly astounded by their daring and genius. There will be no lack offairy-tale authors in the future, I am sure. My readers have told mewhat to do with Dorothy, and Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, and I haveobeyed their mandates. They have also given me a variety of subjectsto write about in the future: enough, in fact, to keep me busy forsome time. I am very proud of this alliance. Children love thesestories because children have helped to create them. My readers knowwhat they want and realize that I try to please them. The result isvery satisfactory to the publishers, to me, and (I am quite sure) tothe children.

I hope, my dears, it will be a long time before we are obliged todissolve partnership.

L. FRANK BAUM.

Coronado, 1910