Those who have never read an Oz book are culturally deprived. Baum created a world that everyone should visit. At any age. I was 50 when I first read about Dorothy and Osma and Tick Tock, among many others. I remember some clown movie reviewer who couldn't figure out where Tick Tock came from in the "Return to Oz" movie a few years ago. I felt superior because I had read the books.