by L. Frank Baum Author of The Road to Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, The Land of Oz, etc. Author's Note 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 requestsed to weave into the thread of my stories. I hope, my dears, it will be a long time before we are obliged to dissolve partnership. L. FRANK BAUM.