I'm off to see the Wizard . . .

Today is the birthday of Lyman Frank Baum (May 15, 1856 – May 6, 1919), author, poet, playwright, actor and independent filmmaker. He is best known as, L. Frank Baum,  the creator, along with illustrator William Wallace Denslow, of the popular children's tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

"I believe that dreams — day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing — are likely to lead to the betterment of the world. The imaginative child will become the imaginative man or woman most apt to create, to invent, and therefore to foster civilization." - L. Frank Baum

"It is a callous age; we have seen so many marvels that we are ashamed to marvel more; the seven wonders of the world have become seven thousand wonders." - L. Frank Baum

"I have learned to regard fame as a will-o-the-wisp which, when caught, is not worth the possession; but to please a child is a sweet and lovely thing that warms one's heart and brings its own reward." - L. Frank Baum

"Mortals seldom know how greatly they are influenced by fairies, knooks and ryls, who often put thoughts into their heads that only the wise little immortals could have conceived." - L. Frank Baum

Baum image source (1)