"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum, first published in 1900. The story follows a young girl named Dorothy who is swept away from her home in Kansas to the magical land of Oz by a tornado. To return home, she embarks on a journey to meet the Wizard of Oz, seeking his help. Along the way, Dorothy befriends several characters, including the Scarecrow, who desires a brain, the Tin Woodman, who longs for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who seeks courage. Together, they face challenges and discover that they already possess the qualities they seek.