The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-up [Hardcover]

L. Frank Baum (Author), Robert Sabuda (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: The Childhood of Famous Americans Series

Robert Sabuda has created a resplendent pop-up version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the original publication. This glorious edition is told in a shorter version of L. Frank Baum's original text, with artwork in the style of W. W. Denslow. With sparkling touches of colored foil and Emerald City eyeglasses, this classic tale is certain to find an honored place on the family bookshelf.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the publication of L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, master paper engineer Robert Sabuda has created a pop-up version of Dorothy's adventures in Oz that fans will find hard to resist. Modeling his depictions of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the rest after W. W. Denslow's original art, Sabuda adds a third dimension that would have rocked Denslow's--and Baum's--world. A rapidly spinning cyclone actually casts a breeze over the startled reader's face. Glorious red poppies wave seductively in a field. And the Emerald City positively glitters with green, especially when young readers try on the special tinted "Spectacles for You" provided in a pocket on the page. The abridged text, provided in minibooklets set onto each page, covers enough basics for the Oz novice, but we recommend a read-aloud of the original, as well, for all the glory and detail of Baum's fantastic tale. Sabuda's homage to the classic is truly spectacular; even purists will gasp in delight at the sight of the humbug wizard floating away in his shiny green, gold, and blue hot-air balloon. This great introduction to the story of Oz doubles as a fun collector's item. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-This showstopping pop-up book celebrates the 100th birthday of The Wizard of Oz in a spectacular fashion; from the twister that spins up dizzyingly on the opening spread to the final "And oh, Aunt Em! I'm so glad to be at home again!" clinch, the array of special effects will wow even blas "seen it all" readers. Not only is Sabuda a wizardly paper engineer, able to pull off a bursting ball of flame, a melting witch, and a balloon rocking gently in the breeze, but he also shows a magic touch with pictorial art, creating colored lino-cut figures that strongly recall those of W. W. Denslow. The large central effects open up like stage settings, and are flanked with accordion-folded insets that contain even more pop-ups, along with an abbreviated text closely based on the original. Nor does the razzle-dazzle stop there, as Dorothy's silver shoes, the yellow brick road, and even the Emerald City are coated with shimmering foil, and by donning the included pair of tinted spectacles, readers are treated to a hidden message on one page. Sabuda's homage to an enduring classic captures its timeless sense of wonder, distinctive characters, and the flavor of its melodrama brilliantly.
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 16 pages
• Publisher: Little Simon; abridged edition edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689817517
• ISBN-13: 978-0689817519
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (156 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Pop-Ups Illustrate A Timeless Classic!, March 20, 2004

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-up (Hardcover)

Robert Sabuda is one of my favorite illustrators and certainly the most renowned pop-up book artist and paper engineer working today. Combine Sabuda's entrancing three dimensional illustrations with Frank Baum's glorious story about Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Toto and their amazing adventures in the Land of Oz and you have pure magic!

The pop-up illustrations are quite intricate, with artwork that's faithful to W. W. Denslow's original illustrations. Sabuda works in a fresh, new style here using prints made from cut linoleum blocks. He brings the drawings to life in a way that will enchant children and adults alike. Each page contains a large pop-up and a small booklet which tells part of the story. And each mini-book contains small pop-ups too. There's a cyclone that really twists, a wizard's balloon that sails into the sky, holographic foil creates a true, sparkling Emerald City made even greener with the included green glasses for the reader

The text is slightly abridged so I would suggest that true "Wizard of Oz" fans include an unabridged copy in their library. I recently bought a copy for my cousin's little girl. She calls it her "magic book" and can't seem to put it down. This very special edition, published to commemorate the book's 100th Anniversary, is well worth the price and will surely find a place of honor on your bookshelf. It is spectacular!
JANA

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Change in manufacturer is evident in quality of book., December 22, 2003

By 

Y. Lopez (Florida) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-up (Hardcover)

I collect Robert Sabuda's books and love to give them as gifts. The copy I recently ordered was a disapointment.The tornado folded out parallel with the page instead of perpendicular to it. I compared it to my copy purchased last year and found it was printed in Colombia and assembled in Ecuador. The book I am reviewing here was made in China. What a shame. I would rather pay a little more for a quality pop-up book. I returned the book.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Talk about eye-candy! This book is marvelous!, December 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-up (Hardcover)

My parents bought this book for my 4.5 year old daughter, and believe me, we are keeping this one out of the hands of her book-destroying 1.5 year old brother. What a magnificent book! Every page has a beautiful pop-up, and not only the page itself, but the accompanying text pages attached to each page. Such creativity and technological wonders. Seriously! My daughter saw this in the store while we were on vacation, and spent about 10 minutes on the plane, quietly spinning the wizard's balloon. If that isn't worth the price, then what is? 10 minutes of quiet on an airplane? The man in the seat next to us couldn't keep his eyes off it... even he was fascinated.

Newsweek just featured this book in their December 11, 2000 issue in their article about the best new kids' books (see p.72). They even show the Emerald City pop-up on their table of contents page.

I am sure that as long as we can protect this book from our precious little one-man-wrecking crew, it will be a treasured heirloom for many years-to-come. Would make a fabulous gift for the holidays.