Customer Reviews

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Signet Classics)

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This version of Baum's classic book "The Wizard of Oz" makes a great, not to mention inexpensive, addition to your home library. It's both small and short, making it easy to take with you on a bus trip or for reading in bed.

Don't let the cheesy cover fool you--the book contains the actual black-and-white illustrations from the original version. For me, that was a real plus! Other than that, this printing is no-frills, just sweet and simple. No commentary or analysis, just the wonderful little story we all know and love.

I decided to purchase this book as I found it's a must-read classic for children. I wanted my little sister to experience the same joy I did reading this book before watching the movie. I believe it's necessary to read books before watching the films, as watching the movie spoils the fun and often leaves out the critical areas.
She's absolutely loving it, and I recommend it as a definite read for your children or sisters. :)

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is one of the best well known and beloved modern fairy tales. However, most people have only come to know it thanks to the wonderful film adaptation of the same name. To be sure, the film version is probably one of the best movies of all time, but there is something to be said for reading the book in its own right. The book turns out to be as wonderful and endearing as I had expected, with all the main characters portrayed in greater depth and with even more attention to their human distinctiveness. There are also a few scenes in the book that had not made it to the movie, and it was interesting to read these for the first time. The book is charming and well written, although some people today might have an issue with a few violent scenes that tend to be more graphic than what acceptable in children's books these days. Personally I was not bothered by this one bit, and view the book as good, clean fun.

It is a humorous story good for children around the ages of 7-10 who have English as their mother tongue.It was interesting to see the original illustrations, however, I would have preferred to buy one with pictures in colour as this one was a little unappealing to the eyes. It is written in old English so your children may enjoy you reading it with them in order to help them catch some of the puns etc.

On a whim, I decided to listen to this in audiobook format. The reader, Jim Weiss, performed it fabulously, and so my children and I, already familiar with the movie, were able to enjoy the original. Recently, I read it (wiping off the dust accumulated from years spent in my little library) and realized after doing so that I preferred the audiobook.

As is often the case, there were many differences between the original and the movie screenplay, which included such things as: the color of Dorothy's slippers; magical (the golden cap) and menacing (the sleep-inducing meadow of poppies, the Kalidahs, wolves and crows and bees things missing; the absence of the color-coordinated (the Quadlings) and unusual (those of the dainty china country) peoples; the mechanism of the Oz's actions in appearing to the quartet and Dorothy's companions' fates. Fortunately, the screenplay generally follows the format of the original story.

Having now both read the book and enjoyed it in audio format, I must conclude that L. Frank Baum was a master storyteller who fulfilled the goal he set out to in writing this (just over 200 page) tale, originally published in 1900, "the story of The Wonderful World of Oz was written solely to please children of today. It aspires to be a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out."

In summary, this not so very scary fairy tale is best experienced in audiobook format, preferably as performed by Jim Weiss. Younger children may prefer the BBC's version (though the voice of Dorothy started to grate on my nerves). Also good: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz (scary), and Coraline by Neil Gaiman (in audiobook format performed by the author-also scary).

Ordered this item as a gift and I must say I was extremely pleased with the result. The item arrived in excellent condition and the look I got when it was opened was priceless. I didn't read this one however, the person I got it for has and stated that, "It is the best version she has ever read." I think this means a lot coming from an Oz fanatic.

This is one of the top of the line of books for kids. I have it to my grandkids, and skimmed it. It seemed outstanding.

This book was purchased used and the book looks brand new. Description listed as slight wear to cover from the shelf but it looked brand new to me and the price was unbeatable. Thank you!

Easy to assemble and colors are great. Only down-side is having to assemble it myself in all my "free" time. =) Knobs unscrew after repetitive use, so one may have to tighten them occasionally.