by L. Frank Baum

In the preface to "Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz" I said I would liketo write some stories that were not "Oz" stories, because I thought Ihad written about Oz long enough; but since that volume was publishedI have been fairly deluged with letters from children imploring me to"write more about Dorothy," and "more about Oz," and since I writeonly to please the children I shall try to respect their wishes.

There are some new characters in this book that ought to win yourlive. I'm very fond of the shaggy man myself, and I think you willlike him, too. As for Polychrome--the Rainbow's Daughter--and stupidlittle Button-Bright, they seem to have brought a new element of funinto these Oz stories, and I am glad I discovered them. Yet I amanxious to have you write and tell me how you like them.

Since this book was written I have received some very remarkable Newsfrom The Land of Oz, which has greatly astonished me. I believe itwill astonish you, too, my dears, when you hear it. But it is such along and exciting story that it must be saved for another book--andperhaps that book will be the last story that will ever be told aboutthe Land of Oz.

L. FRANK BAUM

Coronado, 1909.