The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Hardcover

Baum, L. Frank

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1421806525 ISBN 13: 9781421806525

Publisher: 1st World Library - Literary Society, 2005

Synopsis

Folklore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal. The winged fairies of Grimm and Andersen have brought more happiness to childish hearts than all other human creations. Yet the old time fairy tale, having served for generations, may now be classed as "historical" in the children's library; for the time has come for a series of newer "wonder tales" in which the stereotyped genie, dwarf and fairy are eliminated, together with all the horrible and blood-curdling incidents devised by their authors to point a fearsome moral to each tale. Modern education includes morality; therefore the modern child seeks only entertainment in its wonder tales and gladly dispenses with all disagreeable incident.

About this title

Review

How many times have you seen The Wizard of Oz on Television? How many times have you seen Judy Garland and her red shoes following the Yellow Brick Road? Can you remember the story, or do you just remember the film characters? Forget all those, and immerse yourself in this magnificent book. If you also have preconceptions about pop-up books, then forget those too. The original story was written by L Frank Baumand; this edition, created by Robert Sabuda, is a shorter version of the original story. The artwork, in the style of WW Denslow, the original artist, is exceptional, made up of prints created from cut blocks of linoleum.

Open up the first page and find Dorothy, with her uncle Henry, a farmer, and his wife Aunt Em on their farm in the cyclone belt of Kansas, USA. Watch the cyclone approach and see the house and its surroundings before they are transported (found over the page) to a "country of marvellous beauty", the land of Oz. Meet the munchkins, hear about the Wicked Witch of the East and be there when Dorothy finds the magical silver shoes, and the Witch of the North, before undertaking her journey on the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, accompanied by her dog Toto. Dorothy joins up with a scarecrow, finds a tin woodman, and a cowardly lion, and with them makes her way through a great forest. The Emerald City comes into view (more easily appreciated when seen through the green spectacles provided) and Dorothy discovers Oz, the Great and Terrible. The amazing story unfolds and the travellers continue in their quest to find the Wicked Witch. Further adventures ensue, featuring flying monkeys, yellow Winkie slaves, the demise of the Wicked Witch, and soon, until eventually, as in all good stories, there is a happy ending when Dorothy returns home safely.

Recommend for children aged 6 years and over, this book is a modern take on a real classic, and it will make an excellent gift for book lovers everywhere.--Susan Naylor

Review

'America's most famous fairytale gets a make-over courtesy of artist Graham Rawle in this fantastic version of The Wizard of Oz... The originality of his work manages to put a distinctly personal stamp on the tale. You'll love it.'

About this edition

• Publisher: 1st World Library - Literary Society
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1421806525
• ISBN 13: 9781421806525
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 180
• Editor: 1stworld Library