Customer Reviews

The Emerald City of Oz (Books of Wonder)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though I loved the original Wizard of Oz, and have enjoyed all the Oz books for more than 20 years (back to when my mother first read them to me), Emerald City ranks as my all-time favorite. It's full of adventure, suspense and humor. Who could forget the ridiculous roly-poly Nomes and their quixotic plan to conquer Oz with the help of some rather bizarre allies? Or the village where every house and fence (not to mention every inhabitant) was edible? As I write this, my week-old son sleeps in my lap. I can't wait to read him this book when he's old enough to appreciate it.

I just read The Emerald City of Oz to my little boy, who's almost five (see my earlier review of the book from 2000 which I wrote when he was about a week old!), and he and I both enjoyed it immensely. We're reading all the Oz books in order, and are now on our eighth (Tik-Tok of Oz). My son is a huge Oz fan.

One cautionary note to those who wish to read this book to their young children: My little one was actually quite upset and frightened at the prospect of Oz being invaded and possibly destroyed by the Nomes and their ferocious allies. A number of times I had to soothe him by explaining that Ozma was sure to find some way to save her country. Perhaps this is a better book for older children.

This Oz book is one of the more disjointed ones, more a sort of package tour of Ozma's magic kingdom than a quest. But the vignettes are charming and stick with you. The "Rigamaroles" have become part of this family's culture, with my 12 yo son and I occasionally getting into rigamarole competitions, where we go on and on without saying anything. Bunbury and Bunnybury also stuck with me during the six years between reading this to my first son and my second; utensia is ... punny; and the cuttenclips, the fuddles, and the flutterbudgets are all cute and endearing. A great read aloud for the 5 to 10 set.

Onr thing, though: The famed metallic ink in the Books Of Wonder edition is just sort of glittery. Nice, but not really any big deal. I don't think that this is the best looking BoW Oz book.

In this sixth Oz book, Baum makes an effort to close down the series and tie up all the various loose ends. Dorothy, driven by financial disaster, brings Aunty Em and Uncle Henry to Oz to live out the rest of their lives in peace with Ozma in the palace. At the same time, Roquat the Red (the old foe of the girls) decides to lay waste to Oz once and for all to retrieve his magic belt.

The middle of the book meanders a bit, as Dorothy takes Aunt Em and Uncle Henry on a tour of some of the stranger parts of Oz. The various towns (Cuttenclips, Fuddles, Utensia, etc.) are half puns, half morality plays, but still clever for all of that. Dorothy is a well-written enough character that she can raise a smile even in a ridiculous scene like the one in Bunbury where she is offered a stale wheelbarrow to eat instead of the lunch she was looking for.

The Neill illustrations in this Oz book are particularly magical. For example, the big paste heads of the Whimsies have stuck in my head all the years since I have read it for the first time.

I have read all the Oz books multiple times, and this is one of the three which have proven the most memorable. (The other two are The Road to Oz and Ozma of Oz) It gets a high recommendation despite any minor flaws.

When I read this book in the fourth grade I was absolutely mesmerized by the story Baum had to offer to his readers. Dorothy's travels through Oz were the most interesting they ever have been. First, Baum brings the beloved Dorothy to live forever in Oz. Then he tells of her(and her friends) journeys in the lands of Utensia, Bunbury, and Bunnyburry (as well as some other places). Readers will be mesmerized when he talks of the beautifully dressed rabbits and hysterical when he discusses Toto's trouble with the delicious Buns of Bunbury. What about suspense and danger? Well, Baum throws in the Nome King for that, as well as some other fearful enemies who plan to capture Oz. This was my favorite Oz book and I absolutely recommend it to anyone who has the imagination to handle this wonderful experience.

This book is a wonderful reproduction of the very first run of the very first edition of this book. When "The Emerald City of Oz" was first published, a special metalic green ink was used on the cover, and on the illustrations throughout. However, after the first printing run, it was determined that this ink was far too expensive to continue with, and so a regular green ink was used. This special edition from "Books Of Wonder" very faithfully reproduces the book as it was originally printed, including the use of a metallic green ink. Other OZ books from books of wonder are similarly faithfull in being full reproductions of the first editions.

Finally, Aunt Em and Uncle Henry get the chance to visit Oz, and Baum introduces them and us to a variety of unusual inhabitants. True, most of their journey through the countryside has little or nothing to do with the main plot, the attempt (again) by the Nome King to conquer Oz. But it's fun. And best of all, this book becomes a turning point for the series because in it Dorothy makes the decision to remain in Oz. While maybe not the best book in the series, The Emerald City of OZ is a lot of fun and well worth the read.

Also recommended: King Fortis the Brave, Harry Potter and Abarat. Books that, 100 years from now, people will be looking back with the fondness of the Oz series.

Dorothy's return to the Land of Oz,along with her Uncle and Aunt-who finaly believe her stories-is a must for anyone who reads the Oz series.Dorothy had gone to Oz before(four times in all,if you know the other stories)but this is when she settles in Oz and becomes a princess.She could even have been a co-ruler,along with Ozma.Living in Oz was Dorothy's secret dream,and now that her Unlce Henry(who was about to retire from farming) and Aunt Em have come with her,Oz becomes Home for Dorothy.Home is truly where your loved ones are.

If you were to read only two books in the series, they should be 'The Wonderful Wizard' and this one. Originally intended as the bookend to the first volume, it would have produced a very fine 'happily ever after' for Dorothy. After all - who wants to keep going back to dust-bowl era Kansas when you are surrounded by emeralds and talking animals? However, due to some understandable financial concerns, it was not to be. Baum continued writing, rendering this merely a half-way point. Nonetheless, you can view this as the end of a narrative arc if you like, making the first book and this book a good choice for combined reading.

The normal Oz elements are there, as well as some evident growth in Baum's writing style. Other reviews note the first-time dual narrative, but Baum's style has grown in other ways as well. His homespun do-good philosophy remains but is now accompanied in some sections by puns that would make Piers Anthony blush. My personal preference among all chapters is the short trip to Utensia for this very reason. A very amusing chapter, completely lost on my son but entertaining to me.

One slight oddity is the political structure that is becoming increasingly clear in book after book: Oz is a Utopian Monarchy. Everyone does as they wish because everything is owned by a single person who gives completely free reign to everyone. I can see how this would be appealing to the kiddos (no need to work or go to school!), and I can accept the appeal as long as I get to be the king in my house!

This is an enjoyable read aloud to young children. Recommended.

As a little girl, I read this book **at least** 20 times! The friendship of Dorothy, Ozma, the Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and all the others truly shines here, as they face great danger together with love and courage. The tour of Oz is so much fun, and the terrible danger Oz faces from the Nome King and his allies is very exciting!

John R. Neill's gorgeous original art nouveau illustrations bring the fairytale to life. Highly, highly recommended! If you want your child to love reading, share this book with her. This is a snuggle up under the covers, read all Saturday kind of book!