Perhaps I should
admit on the title page that
this book is "By
L.
Frank Baum and his correspondents," for I have used many suggestions conveyed
to me in letters from children. Once on a time I really
imagined myself "an author of fairy tales," but now I am merely an editor or
private secretary for a host of youngsters whose ideas I am requestsed to weave
into the thread of my stories.
These ideas are often clever.
They are also logical and interesting.
So I have used them whenever
I could find an opportunity,
and it is but just that I acknowledge
my indebtedness to my little
friends.
My, what imaginations these
children have developed! Sometimes
I am fairly astounded by their
daring and genius. There will
be no lack of fairy-tale authors
in the future, I am sure. My
readers have told me what to
do with Dorothy, and Aunt Em
and Uncle Henry, and I have obeyed
their mandates. They have also
given me a variety of subjects
to write about in the future:
enough, in fact, to keep me busy
for some time. I am very proud
of this alliance. Children love
these stories because children
have helped to create them. My
readers know what they want and
realize that I try to please
them. The result is very satisfactory
to the publishers, to me, and
(I am quite sure) to the children.
I hope, my dears, it will be
a long time before we are obliged
to dissolve partnership.
L. FRANK BAUM.
Coronado, 1910
|