The Wizard of Oz, 100th Anniversary Edition [Hardcover]

Charles Santore (Author), L Frank Baum (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up

This special 100th-anniversary edition of L. Frank Baum's classic features eye-catching embossed gold foil on a centennial medallion as well as on the title. Santore's Wizard of Oz is widely acknowledged as the quintessential illustrated version of the tale for the picture book audience. His lush, full-color illustrations grace every page of the faithfully condensed text--no language other than Baum's has been used. This special edition is the perfect one to share with the youngest children.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In the 100 years since L. Frank Baum first published his Wonderful Wizard of Oz, countless authors and illustrators have adapted, interpreted, and retold this story of Dorothy and her unusual companions, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. But for sheer opulence and sumptuous color, award-winning artist Charles Santore's 100th anniversary edition takes the cake. Santore's large, fairy-tale style watercolors feature ominous, shadowy forests, magnificent but deadly poppies, the whimsical, green-tinted landscapes of Oz, and the golden gray fields of Kansas. Each page is awash in color; many of the two-page spreads have no text to distract readers from the illustrations' myriad details--not-yet-blooming poppy buds, the Tin Woodman's watering can head, and the radiant good witch, Glinda, posing on her ruby-encrusted throne. The text is condensed rather than adapted; so virtually every word is Baum's own. Although some scenes have been left out, Baum's classic story rings through, loud and clear. Sharing this lush edition with a favorite child would be the perfect way to celebrate a century of Oz. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Santore's illustrations for this new edition of Baum's classic tale work on two levels. They capture the story's epic sweep in numerous colorful landscapes and dramatic tableaux, and they are models of sustained characterization. Though the paintings occasionally lapse into Saturday morning TV cartoon art, they generally evoke the many beloved scenes with verve. In contrast to a rather mundane scarecrow, Santore's cowardly lion is a splendid beast--looming over his companions, lower jaw ever a-quiver. The episodes in the Emerald City are appropriately green-tinted (the book's pages, in fact, are green in these sequences) and cleverly framed by faceted, emeraldlike borders. Unfortunately, the text is abridged, and significant sequences and characters are missing. These cuts have robbed Santore of the chance to realize fully his vision of Oz, and readers of the opportunity to enjoy the story as Baum told it. Morrow's facsimile of the first edition illustrated by W. W. Denslow and Holt's edition illustrated by Michael Hague are better versions of this enduring favorite. All ages.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375811370
• ISBN-13: 978-0375811371
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 0.5 x 13.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #749,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lisbeth Zwerger's New Oz Depictions, June 7, 2005

By 

Sam A. Milazzo (Sydney, N.S.W Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wizard of Oz (Hardcover)

The FULL ORIGINAL Story with NEW PICTURES in less than 100 pages!
I've looked through this book myself and I quite enjoyed the pictures, as this book makes a change from the previous traditional-drawn editions. Dorothy's hair is short, the Scarecrow is fat, Glinda looks french (in fact all the pictures give a bit of a French/European feeling when you look at them) and a few other changes, both a bit funny and interesting. An earlier reviewer said that the Good Witch of the North was difficicult to make out - I disagree. Many of the pictures have a bit of symbolism - e.g. on the page where the Wicked Witch of the West sends her wolves, she (specifically, her figure) is drawn as if it's/she's the ground and if you think about it, it's like Lisbeth is showing that the Witch says "You are MY domain of the West. I control what happens here!" Dorothy holds a GIANT Silver Shoe is she tries one on, and on page 45, when the green man mentions the many 'disguises' the Wizard can take form of (elephant, brownie, cat, fairy, 'any other form', etc.) she actually DOES draw those images. Just like John R. Neil, Lisbeth gives clothes to some of the Oz Animals to wear (the mouse Queen wears a polka-dot dress/suit and a ring on her tail!) The Kalidahs may scare very little kids, with their giant bodies, long tongues, long sharp teeth and claws. The Poppy Field brings to mind the giant poppy costumes from the 1902 Musical, (which is on the back cover of "Oz: Before the Rainbow"). Of course, it would have been nice if Lisbeth drew Dorothy looking around at the country of Oz (maybe showing the Witch's feet under the house) instead of the same old Munchkin-and-Witch-greeting. My favourite picture is with Dorothy and Toto flying back to Kansas. And the forest/trees where Dorothy and Scarecrow find Nick are pleasantly designed. For (Nick Chopper) the Tin woodman's story (24-25), Lisbeth draws him 4 times, but with his body turning to tin bit-by-bit. As for the writing, the pages are divided in half, giving us two long paragraphs down the page, so that when a chapter ends, the next chapter takes over on the next half of the page. Many pictures satisfy the story.
Also included in this book (in the back) is a pair of green glasses, which you can use to look through on the Emerald City pages (she explains why on pg 102). If you think about it and look at the images carefully, the pictures in this edition may just be better than you think . . .

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reader and an uncle, April 12, 2005

By 

Janan Neilson "brockilly" (Burley, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wizard of Oz, 100th Anniversary Edition (Hardcover)

I have not found a more beautifuly illustrated book yet, in any genre of book.
This book is marvelous!

This is the Wizard of Oz book to own. The pictures are very different from the movie, but incredibly beautiful and enchanting. The realistic and fantasy lighting in this book is beyond description, its the very best of any chilrens book I have ever seen.

My mother gave me this book when I was a child and I have cherished it ever since.
The story could not be presented in a more complimentary and beautiful way, its wonderful.

I recommend this to anyone, parents, child, or single adult, the book is wonderful!

It may be hard to find, but it is well worth it. This book will teach its readers and viewers to aprechiate great art.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb All-Round Wonderful Wizard, August 8, 2004

By 

Yi-Peng (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wizard of Oz, 100th Anniversary Edition (Hardcover)

This well-illustrated version of The Wizard of Oz is what I regard as a definitive gift-book edition of the story. Santore's superb illustrations speak for themselves and serve as vivid and real pictorial depictions of Baum's enchanting fantasy world. In addition, the carefully-condensed text flows so smoothly that the story moves ever vforward, without the transient episodes, that it does not seem lacking at all. I know that some readers might find the story lacking with omissions and such, but it is not a serious problem because the essence is still there. In short, a superb book for any fan of Oz, and any new readers encountering this world for the first time.