Dorothy Returns to Oz (Return to Oz) [Paperback]

I first saw this book in Primary School, and I loved looking at it. Now, almost over 10 years later, I am now keeping it. The cover (which you can see in the 'Books of Oz" site) has a photo of Dorothy, Billina and Tik-Tok in the ruins of the Emerald City (a stone statue of a man at the bottom of the steps is behind them), although I'm pretty sure that back in OLR it had a different cover, but I can't remember excatly, oh well . . . I had actually forgotten about a few the pictures, having not seen them in so long (or maybe the one I saw before had fewer pictures?). But getting the book and looking at all the pictures, familiar and forgotten, is very pleasant indeed. This book, based on Disney's movie of the similar name, mainly focuses on the first 35 mins of the movie, with the description as follows below:

Ever since the tornado 6 months before, Dorothy hasn't been able to stop thinking about Oz, making Aunt Em and Uncle Henry worried. But one morning she finds a key which she believes is from Oz, but Aunt Em is unconvinced. At Dr. Worley's clinic in Cottonwood Falls, he promises to cure Dorothy of her 'bad dreams'. But instead of staying over during the night, Dorothy runs out from the clinic and into the stormy night. Jumping into a river, she climbs into a chicken coop to stay afloat. The next morning, Dorothy finds herself with Billina, who talks! After walking through a forest, Dorothy belives that they must be in Oz, and her theory is proven true when they see a lunch-pail tree. However, before long they come to a crumbled path - a crumbled Yellow Brick Road, which sinks Dorothy's heart. At the end, they find the Emerald City in ruins, all the people (including old friends Tin Woodman and Lion) turned to stone. They are then chased by some strange people/men with wheels instead of feet & hands, but escape through an unknown door in a wall. Inside, they find and wind up a mechanical man, whose name is Tik-Tok, the Royal Army of Oz. Tik-Tok promises to help protect Dorothy and Billina from the Wheelers and find His Majesty, the King Scarecrow of Oz. When they do, everything will be all right again. "After all - we're in Oz!"

The pictures are lovely, made out of what seems to be watery-pencils/crayons and a bit of paint. Although, Aunt Em looks a lot older (and perhaps less prettier) than she does in the movie. Although he is mentioned, it is a bit disapointing how Toto is not seen to be drawn. Also taken out of this story are the blonde girl that Dorothy meets in the clinic, the crossing of the Deadly Desert with the eyes on rocks watching the characters (as well as the messages), and finally Dorothy's house. The Wheelers's faces are covered by their masks/hats.

I loved reading/borrowing this book when I was in school, and I know I'll love keeping this book. And if you want to order this book - if you like/love "Disney's Return to Oz" - then you just might like it too.