The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Evergreen Classics) (Paperback)

by L. Frank Baum (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: green whiskers, great throne room, silver shoes, Tin Woodman, Emerald City, Winged Monkeys (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
In spite of the fact that L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) is one of the most popular stories in America, relatively few people have actually read the book. It's well worth the effort! Young readers expecting rainbows, Munchkin songs, and wicked witches with burning brooms will instead find a complex country populated with mocking Hammerhead men, dainty people made out of china, and fierce monsters with heads of tigers and bodies of bears. Through the fantastic land of Oz ramble Dorothy and her trusty companions--Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion--each seeking his or her heart's desire. Although the premise of the book and the 1939 movie is the same, the book--as so often is the case--delivers a far more subtle and intricate plot. A child's imagination will run rampant in these pages as one extraordinary creature after another leads the motley crew into strange and magical adventures. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-7-One of a series of books-on-cassette that are abridged and performed as a play, this was produced to coincide with the re-release of the movie. However, this recording follows the book, not the film. The differences are significant. The book is set inside the frame of gray Kansas, but the film makes that frame much more important than it is in the book. There are no hired hands, and the witchy neighbor does not threaten Toto before the tornado comes. When Dorothy returns from Oz, she lands in a field outside the new house her aunt and uncle built while she was gone, and all Aunt Em says is, "Where in the world did you come from?" This narrow frame makes the story of the journey to Oz the only focus of the story. There are also some new characters to meet that were left out of the film. The recording is technically excellent, with expressive voices and sparingly used music and sound effects. A narrator fills in the gaps where description is necessary. This will be a popular addition to library shelves, although librarians should be prepared to answer questions about the differences.
George Pilling, Tulare County Office of Education, Visalia, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (May 20, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486291162
• ISBN-13: 978-0486291161
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #542,593 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical tale for readers of all ages., December 8, 2000

By	Godly Gadfly (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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

In this classic, Baum describes the tale of poor Dorothy, who is hurled by a cyclone away from her uncle and aunt in Kansas into a strange and magical world of wizards and witches. Fortunately Dorothy has the help of several companions that she meets in this new world - a stuffed scarecrow who wants brains, a tin woodsman who wants a heart, and a cowardly lion who wants courage. Together with Dorothy - who wants a return trip to Kansas - they travel to the emerald city where Oz is wizard, to ask him to make their wishes come true. Their journey is fraught with adventures, and when they finally meet Oz they discover a terrible truth, that leads them into even more challenges and adventures. The magical fantasy of this tale has pleased readers of all ages for a century, and it's not hard to see why. Baum spins a wonderfully enchanting tale that includes wicked witches, flying monkeys, talking mice, and other fantastic creatures.

Is this book more than just a fantasy thrill? Some literary critics have proposed that Baum - a strong believer in individualism and self-confidence - is working with themes about self-esteem and self-reliance. This is quite plausible, especially considering that the brains, heart and courage sought by the scarecrow, woodsman and lion are abilities that they clearly already possess - they just need to recognize them and use them. And Dorothy herself discovers that when the wizard can't help her, she must and can rely on herself. Other literary critics have claimed that "The Wizard of Oz" needs to be read as an elaborate political allegory where the various characters represent various social classes and financial structures - a not impossible suggestion, but one that's somewhat difficult to defend. Ultimately, however, "The Wizard of Oz" is best enjoyed as a wonderful story. That doesn't mean it is any less of a contribution to English literature, because when appreciated as a brilliant story, you're sure to come back to it again and again, as are your children and grandchildren. It's precisely this universal appeal that makes "The Wizard of Oz" a true classic.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wizard of Oz: 100 Years of Magic, March 2, 2000

By	ozcot (Denver, Co) - See all my reviews

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

It is unfortunate that most people know The Wizard of Oz only by the movie. To be perfectly honest, I found the movie bland compared to the book. For those who have read the book, many don't know that there was thirteen other Oz books written by L. Frank Baum. People who have read the first fourteen probably don't know that five other authors wrote more Oz books after Baum's death, making a total of forty books in the original series. The Wizard of Oz is a wonderful book for anyone no matter what age you are. Just remember to forget every thing you saw in the movie. Most people are surprise when the story doesn't end where the movie ends. When you,re finished the book try the other books in the series. I think you would enjoy them all.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After All These Years, April 29, 2006

By	Wisconsin Dad (Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wizard of Oz (Aladdin Classics) (Paperback)

I have to admit, until this year I didn't care much for the Wizard of Oz. It was my wife's favorite movie (and she even has checks with Oz scenes on them), but it never was "fantasy" enough for me. I had been an avid modern fantasy/sci-fi reader until this year when I started reading classics like the Hobbit, the Chronicles of Narnia, and ultimately I picked up the Wizard of Oz.

This book is a wonderful read and I fully intend to finish the entire series. There is something so pure and simple about Baum's tale that I find myself entranced and wanting more. This book enchanted me, and immersed me in a world I wished I could visit. I love feeling amazed when I read a book, and this book amazed me.

The only thing I didn't care for in this edition is the time spent by Eloise McGraw in the forward addressing the writing style and prose of Baum. For those of you concerned that this is not the Grapes of Wrath, well...is isn't. It also is everything I need in 2006 and the world is heavy with war and hatred: a fantasy tale that takes me away from my troubles and sets me sailing into Oz. I am very glad this isn't classic literature...very glad. I hope you understand that statement as a comment of praise for Baum.