The Wizard of Oz (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author) "Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies, with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer's wife..." (more)
Key Phrases: silver shoes, great wizard, Tin Woodman, Emerald City, Wicked Witch (more...)

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

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375811370
• ISBN-13: 978-0375811371
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,061 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #12 in	Books > Children's Books > Popular Characters > Book Characters > Wizard of Oz
  #13 in	Books > Children's Books > Series > Fantasy & Adventure > Oz
  #14 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Baum, L. Frank

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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)

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 Beautifully illustrated, wonderful for younger kids (4+), February 18, 2003

By A Customer

We gave this to our 4.5-year-old son for Christmas this year, and have been reading it over and over every since. The illustrations are spectacular, and the story is so beautifully extracted that -- especially with this audience -- it doesn't seem lacking at all. We are enjoying it to the hilt and plan to buy copies as gifts for other kids his age.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wizard of Oz story for toddlers, January 19, 2007

By	Monika I. Gaines (TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It was very hard to find the Wizard of Oz story for toddlers... it is certainly close to impossible to find it in stores! This book is beautiful and just perfect for the 3-4 year old I purchased it for. Wonderful pictures and story is perfectly written for toddlers to understand and sit through, captivate.