The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Pages: 267
Published by Books of Wonder
Publication Date October 3, 2000
Source: Borrowed
Genres: Childrens
Goodreads
One of the true classics of American literature, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has stirred the imagination of young and old alike for over four generations. Originally published in 1900, it was the first truly American fairy tale, as Baum crafted a wonderful out of such familiar items as a cornfield scarecrow, a mechanical woodman, and a humbug wizard who used old-fashioned hokum to express that universal theme, "There's no place like home."Follow the adventures of young Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, as their Kansas house is swept away by a cyclone and they find themselves in a strange land called Oz. Here she meets the Munchkins and joins the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion on an unforgettable journey to the Emerald City, where lives the all-powered Wizard of Oz.
I like this book, but at the same time I didn’t. I think this is because some of the magical creatures such as the talking china dolls were unnecessary and got in the way for the real reason of the story, to get Dorothy back to Kansas with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Even so, I did enjoy reading the book that the beloved film was made of and the creativity was amazing with the Flying Monkeys being controlled by a golden cap, the many shapes of the Wizard, from a ball of fire to a lovely lady and even though I didn’t care for the china people they were still very imaginative. Lastly, the Oz books have a wonderful message, There’s no place like home.
Have you read any of the other Oz books? As a kid, I was obsessed, but the other ones are hard to find. The Patchwork Girl of Oz is good.
Talking china dolls? Wow. I didn't realize.
I love ALL the Oz books! My favourite is the Land of Oz. I have amazing memories of the books as well as the movie! Try the other ones, you might really like them 🙂
I haven't read the book in ages! 'Somewhere over the rainbow' came floating to my mind the moment I saw your post's title though =)
Tiffany– I've read The Emerald City of Oz and the Marvelous Land of Oz. I really enjoyed The Emerald City of Oz but had difficulty following The Marvelous Land of Oz. I think this was because it was the last Oz book featuring Dorthy and referenced many species I hadn't read about and therefore had a hard time keeping track.
Juju– They were pretty cool, but seemed a little too into their appearance. China Dolls are damaged goods once chipped.
Vaishnavi– I will and I might reread this one at a later date. It may have been the mood I was in.
Kals–I love that song! And to think it almost didn't make it into the movie sounds criminal.
I read several of the OZ books when I was a kid – I loved them!! I still like watching the movie too!
I was amazed by the flying monkeys too. They were the scariest part of the movie for me and it was nice to know they had a better side. I haven't read any of the other OZ books, but many retelling of the first one. There are some neat Graphic Novels that retell OZ.
Love Wizard of Oz! I'm hoping to somehow… one day… get the whole collection!
I read all the books as a kid and probably should reread. Did you know this book is a political allegory? (Not the subsequent books, just The Wizard of Oz.)