What the Wizard of Oz Characters Would Read

Happy Birthday, L. Frank Baum! A heart. A brain. 

Courage. Your characters all want so much, so, in honor of your birthday, we decided to give them story recommendations that will help them. Believe us, our ideas are way better than the Wizard’s. Really, a silk heart? That is supposed to cut it?

Dorothy
The Odyssey by Homer

Someone like Dorothy might find solace in another person’s struggle to get home. Odysseus also has to go through strange lands and meet peculiar people to return to his family. Dorthy should count her lucky stars that she doesn't have to fight off strange men or her that dog dies when she gets home. There is only so much drama a young girl can take.

The Scarecrow
Ulysses by James Joyce

This is the book that impresses everyone. If you say that you have read it, people will instantly think you are super smart. Even though the Scarecrow technically doesn't have a brain, we don’t expect him to understand it (heck, we wonder if anyone really does). Just throw around words like “Leopold Bloom” and “June 16,” and people will not only think you have a brain, but a big one.

The Tin Woodman
“Snow White” by the Brothers Grimm

We know the Tin Woodman is sick of people pulling a Kanye and asking how he could be so heartless, but we have an answer. Fairytales melt everyone's hearts. He only has to say he's read Snow White and the awakening kiss melted his heart away. However, if he wants to obtain an actual heart, we suggest watching the Disney film for suggestions on other ways to obtain one (our apologies to pigs everywhere).

The Cowardly Lion
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

We feel like Aslan will be an inspiration for the Cowardly Lion. Not only is Aslan a lion who successfully vanquishes a witch, but he also defeats death itself. He is not only king of a forest, but he makes small children rulers and brings dead things back to life. Basically, he is the picture of power and courage. When frightened, think of him and do daring deeds.

The Wicked Witch of the West
“The Red Shoes” by Hans Christian Andersen

If there were ever a story that would put a woman off shoes for life, it is this one. Karen really loves a pair of red shoes, and, as a result of her vanity, the shoes dance perpetually and won’t come off. Forced to have her legs chopped off, Karen eventually dies after being unable to get into church because her own creepy limbs block her way. Does the Wicked Witch really want those shoes? Yes, they take Dorothy home, but they might start taking her all around the world (and not to beach resorts)! Stick to sensible black flats.