"The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick," said the Witch, "so you cannot miss it.

When you get to Oz do not be afraid of him, but tell your story and ask him to help you" One of the best-known stories of all time, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (often shortened to The Wizard of Oz) is a timeless classic.

Written as a children's book it has captured the hearts and minds of generations and can be read and enjoyed at any age. The story chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Dorothy Gale in the Land of Oz, after being swept away from her Kansas farm home in a tornado.

She makes her way to the Emerald City, along the way meeting the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion, all desperate to meet the infamous Wizard whom they believe has the power to grant their most desired wishes.

All Dorothy wants is to go home - but there are no ruby slippers here - they were an embellishment added by the 1939 MGM movie. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has been translated widely and has been the inspiration behind numerous films, plays, musicals and books.

Its huge success led to Baum writing a further thirteen books based in the Land of Oz. This timely publication ties in with the international release of the film Oz: The Great and Powerful.

Directed by Sam Raimi and featuring James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Zach Braff it is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz telling how the Wizard (James Franco) arrived in Oz and became ruler.