cry for help!

OK, I really need your help. I have Photoshop Elements and I desperately want to cut an element out of a picture and place it on a white background, but that darn magic wand is not cooperating! Can one of you help me? Please! I must be doing something wrong...I can't find a tutorial to help. I am crying! I know that someone out there is a wiz and will come to my rescue.

I hear she is a whiz of a wiz, if ever a wiz there was
If ever, oh ever a whiz there was,

the Wizard of Elements is one because
because, because, because, because, because
Because of the wonderful things she does...

Thank you. I am now clicking my ruby red slippers and wishing for a wizard.