What happens?
After a night sleeping outdoors, Dorothy and her friends continue their journey to find Oz. On the way they encounter several obstacles that have to be overcome. After working out how to cross deep and wide ditches they have to outrun monstrous beasts called Kalidahs, only to find their path blocked by a wide fast flowing river.
Have a think ..
Take a moment to think about these questions:
Why do you think the huge ditches are there?
The Scarecrow says he needs brains, the Tin Woodman says he needs a heart and the Lion says he needs courage. After reading this chapter, what is your opinion of what they want?
Dorothy and her friends have a few problems which they have to solve. Have you and your friends ever solved a problem together?
Focus on the Kalidahs
Kalidahs are huge, monstrous beasts with bodies like bears, heads like tigers and claws and fangs so sharp they could tear the Lion in two.
Find out more
L. Frank Baum did not want The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to be scary for children, even the Kalidahs. So this is how the illustrator, W.W. Denslow, drew the creatures.
You can try making your own version of a kalidah at a website called Switch Zoo, which is a brilliant website that lets you mix and match animals to make your own weird creatures.
Another well known non-scary monster is The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. This is how illustrator, Axel Scheffler, draws a gruffalo.
And probably the least scary monsters are Pokémon – pocket monsters – all based on real creatures.
Challenge yourself!
The Kalidahs may not look scary, but we know they are dangerous so why are there no warnings? Your challenge is to design a warning system, in whatever way you like, so that people travelling the yellow brick road know there are Kalidahs around.
More to explore
If you loved this chapter, why not check out some more ideas
More to read
These texts should be available through your secondary school librarian. If we’ve found a free version online or useful resources, we’ve added the links after each book.
The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo is the tale of a lost china rabbit and his amazing journey.
Fantastic beasts and where to find them by J.K. Rowling features beasts to rival the Kalidahs.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. The Gruffalo is another imaginary creature with the body of a bear and claws.
Tam O’Shanter by Robert Burns is a famous Scots poem in which a bridge is very important to Tam and his horse. Watch video.
