The Wizard of Oz

by Suzi Alexander (Adapted), L. Frank Baum, Nick Price (Illustrator)

A quality collection of treasured classics, fully illustrated and carefully adapted for children.

Genres: Fantasy, Classics, Childrens, Fiction, Childrens Classics, Young Adult, Chapter Books

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Grace DuBois · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned that this book was written because someone was upset about the price of gold.
So that is what the yellow brick (gold) road is about, and the wizard Oz stands for ounces.
The yellow brick (gold) road lead to a fake.
I found this book like nothing I have ever read before!

[Bekah Boo · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this magical book Dorothy and her dog Toto go to the land of Oz. She meets a scarecrow, a cowardly lion, and a tin woodsman. The decide to go to the Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz because the scarecrow wants a brain, the cowardly lion wants courage and the tin woodsman wants a heart. Dorothy wants to go back to Kansas. The Wicked Witch of the East or West (I can't remember which one), wants to take the silver slippers from Dorothy because Dorothy killed her sister with her house and the good witch stole the dead witch's shoes. The Wizard can't help Dorothy but she asks the good witch to help her to get home and she tells her the silver shoes can help her. Dorothy uses the shoes to teleport her back home to her aunt and uncle's farm. and they lived happily ever after. I might recommend this book to someone to read if you like books with three stars.

[Beth Babbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a pretty good option for beginning readers to try on their own. It's very condensed, and sometimes I think that some rather important things were cut. For example, all of the traveling companions' backstories were removed, although I think that is essential to understanding them and their arc. Therefore, I would a substitute for the original, but more like a practice round for someday tackling it. (Which to this version's credit, it does say that in the book's intro.)

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my 9 and 5 year olds. It held my 9 year olds attention better, but my 5yo loved looking for the pictures and listened with one ear while playing with her younger sister. It certainly is different from the movie. I enjoyed all the different places Dorothy ended up. There are so many quotable gems I recognize from talks and sermons. Overall, this was an enjoyable book to read aloud.

[Lance Hockenberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say it was a good and quick read, though like Stuart Little, I feel like it was written more for wonder than telling a story, though unlike Stuart Little, it did have a good narrative. There are quite a few differences between the book and movie, but like with most adaptations, where aren't there differences?

[Moony 394 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This was a really sweet story that I enjoyed reading. I've definitely read books I liked a lot more, but it was still a very enjoyable read.
I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a nice story to read in one sitting!

[Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this book. My 5 year old son actually would bring it to me and ask me to read more to him.
This version of the book comes with many color and b/w drawings of the action. Great for kids!

[Kevin English · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this condensed version at Walmart for $1. It's great for reading to a 5-year-old, although he kept asking questions about waterparks and when we're going to visit one again, which made me think he might not have been paying attention.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

the kiddos loved it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but so many pictures takes away from story

[Andrew Judd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice adaptation for younger readers! I enjoyed seeing how the book was different from the movie.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok.

[Suzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always loved Wizard Of Oz.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I had only seen the movie before and the book has so many more details. I read it to my 4 boys and they loved it too!

[Lyn The Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read that bring me closer to book community

[Electra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the wizard of oz, who’s gonna talk shit about it

[Dan Sem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A condense version of the original classic; fun to read and easy to trap the reader. I wasn't sure I will read this fast. Highly recommended to read before deciding to pick the original classic.

[Kaya Hougen · Rating 3 out of 5]

sometimes you have a sick day & you read the junior classics version of the wizard of oz

[Kaci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to my class! I didn't realize how many animals were killed in the book because I grew up watching the movie.

[Kim]

I read the "Great Reads Edition" (couldn't find it on here, but that cover picture is the same as on my edition) edited by Kathryn Knight. I did NOT realize this was an abridged version when I purchased it and was annoyed to discover it was. I'm not certain what I missed by reading an abridged version, but I don't think it would affect my overall opinion. I did NOT like this book at all. After growing up watching the enjoyable movie I was shocked to read how violent, disjointed, and poorly written this was! I had no idea before this that the tin man became so by cutting off HIS OWN LIMBS one by one with an enchanted axe. My husband reminded me that this was written at the beginning of the fantasy genre and isn't up to the same standards I am used to, but even for an early work in the genera it sucked. I will not read this book again and do not want my son to read it. Bleh!

[Laura5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the condensed and adapted edition by Suzi Alexander (ISBN: 978-1-40379-507-6)
It looks as if many editions are clumped together here.

The Bud loved this as a read aloud. It had shorter chapters and lots of illustrations (almost every double page spread has an illustration of some sort).
Where this edition was lacking was the writing. I found myself rewriting parts in my head as I read aloud.

[Hailey Layug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story for kids to picture this in mind. Every chapter is a new adventure.The characters are very brave.They all want to have or go some where.Dorthy wants to go home,scarecrow wants some brains,tinman wants a heart,and lion wants some courage.They discovered that oz isn't a big head floating, it was a man.He tried to stay a secret but toto found him.They were mad at oz.this a great book for kids.

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in about an hour or so. It was a light read that was very fun to read. I have loved the movie for as long as I can remember, so I decided to read the book. The characters were very real. The writing style was well written for a children's book. And the plot was planned well. I read this for a light read, and to read it for fun! I give it five stars!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a condensed version of The Wizard of Oz. I have never read the original (shame on me!), but my understanding is that it wouldn't be appropriate for children--this was a PERFECT, fun book to read aloud.

There are a lot of differences between the book and the movie--so we will be watching it this weekend and comparing/contrasting the movie to the book.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really fun way to introduce my 4 year old to Oz. I read it aloud to her and we got through it very fast - a few days. Having a illustration on almost every other page really helped keep her attention. We have also been listening to the soundtrack and matching the songs to parts of the story. I picked my copy up at target in the dollar section.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a chance with this adapted classic and was pleasantly surprised. I picked this book up at a library bookstore for 50 cents. I read it to my kids and they loved the story and all the illustrations (even though they were a little strange). They have yet to see the movie so it will be a real treat!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son (5) seemed to enjoy it...means we might get started on reading chapter books. Because he's so young, some of the story went over his head, but he understood most of it and could carry out a conversation about what we read.

[Goble Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning, Dorothy killed the Wicked Witch. In the middle, she meets her friends the scarecrow, the tin woodman, and the cowardly lion. In the end, they meet Oz the great and terrible and find out he's a humbug.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book so long ago I just can't recall what is Movie and what is book I am remembering. I will have to read it again. For now I will give it a four star just because it is the Wizard of Oz.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that is just like the movie.I was reading it to Bandit and he tilted his head when I said Toto.