2023 Reprint of the 1900 Edition. Full Facsimile of the 1900 edition with original text and all Color Illustrations. This publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz includes all the original illustrations, both colored and black and white, from the 1900 edition. " The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has become America's greatest and best-loved homegrown fairy tale. The first totally American fantasy for children, it is one of the most-read children's books." - Library of Congress. "The book has a bright and joyous atmosphere and does not dwell upon killing and deeds of violence. Enough stirring adventure enters into it, however, to flavor it with zest ...It will indeed be strange if there be a normal child who will not enjoy the story." "An original departure in children's literature, in every way novel and unique. ... The text is charming and will prove interesting to both young and old. ... The illustrations surpass anything of the kind hitherto attempted. ... The funniest - the handsomest - the most elaborate child's book ever published." - The New York Times, 1900. "The Oz books are far ahead of their time both scientifically and politically. They are full of inventions that would not appear on the market for most of the century, among them a robot man, an artificial heart and limbs, a television monitoring system, anti-gravity devices, and a computer-type news service." - Alison Lurie. "I have learned to regard fame as a will-o-the-wisp, which when caught, is not worth the possession; but to please a child is a sweet and lovely thing that warms one's heart and brings its own reward." - L. Frank Baum. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is an enchanting tale of adventure and self-discovery in a magical country. It is America's first and greatest fairy tale and is one of the most-read children's books. Its unforgettable characters and memorable adventures made it an instant classic. This edition contains all the original illustrations from the original edition, newly recolored for this edition.-From the Edition by Benediction Classics
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author best known for his children's fantasy books, particularly The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, part of a series. In addition to the 14 Oz books, Baum penned 41 other novels (not including four lost, unpublished novels), 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and screen; the 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a landmark of 20th-century cinema. Born and raised in Chittenango, New York, Baum moved west after an unsuccessful stint as a theater producer and playwright. He and his wife opened a store in South Dakota and he edited and published a newspaper. They then moved to Chicago, where he worked as a newspaper reporter and published children's literature, coming out with the first Oz book in 1900. While continuing his writing, among his final projects he sought to establish a film studio focused on children's films in Los Angeles, California. His works anticipated such later commonplaces as television, augmented reality, laptop computers (The Master Key), wireless telephones (Tik-Tok of Oz), women in high-risk and action-heavy occupations (Mary Louise in the Country), and the ubiquity of advertising on clothing (Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work).