AUTHOR OF THE ROAD TO OZ, DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD IN OZ,
THE LAND OF OZ, ETC.
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ILLUSTRATED BY
JOHN R. NEILL
The Reilly & Lee Co.
Chicago
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COPYRIGHT
1910
BY L. FRANK BAUM
ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED
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Perhaps I should admit on the title page that this book is "By L. Frank
Baum and his correspondents," for I have used many suggestions conveyed
to me in letters from children. Once on a time I really imagined myself
"an author of fairy tales," but now I am merely an editor or private
secretary for a host of youngsters whose ideas I am requested 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 is but
just that I acknowledge my indebtedness to my little friends.
My, what imaginations these children have developed! Sometimes I am
fairly astounded by their daring and genius. There will be no lack of
fairy-tale authors in the future, I am sure. My readers have told me
what to do with Dorothy, and Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, and I have obeyed
their mandates. They have also given me a variety of subjects to write
about in the future: enough, in fact, to keep me busy for some time. I
am very proud of this alliance. Children love these stories because
children have helped to create them. My readers know what they want and
realize that I try to please them. The result is very satisfactory to
the publishers, to me, and (I am quite sure) to the children.
I hope, my dears, it will be a long time before we are obliged to
dissolve partnership.
_Coronado, 1910_ L. FRANK BAUM.
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[Illustration: HUM BUG]