The Wizard of Oz

by Daisy Alberto (Adapted By), W.W. Denslow (Illustrator), L. Frank Baum

Baum's story of Dorothy, carried by a cyclone from a Kansas farm to the land of the Tin Woodman, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion, was published in May 1900. By the following January, 100,000 copies had been sold, and the book has ever since been an undisputed favorite. The original illustrations by Denslow, which are reflected in the film and stage versions, have often been imitated but never surpassed.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2012

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

So if you don’t know already, I am doing the United States of YA Challenge from Epicreads. It really isn’t a challenge because all it is a list of one book that takes place in every state in the United States and this year I challenged myself to read every one of them. One of the books on the list was The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

Since I was a kid I was never interested in The Wizard of Oz, so when I saw the book on the list I was less than happy. I had to rent a 100 paged children's edition because my library (and the other libraries in my district) didn't have the original. Because it was a children's book I was bored out of my mind, but since it was only 100 pages I was able to read it within the hour and get it over with. The dialogue was nice and I enjoyed Dorothy's character, but the one thing I couldn't stand was the Wizard. For one thing, he tricks Dorothy and her friends saying that if they kill the Wicked Witch of the East that he will grant them what they want (to go home, courage, a heart, and brains), but then he doesn't come through. When they confront him about it he says he will do it but only gives them a weird mixture for brains, a felt heart for the heart, and a liquid (that could just be water) for courage. To help Dorothy, the Wizard makes a hot air balloon, but when the rope holding the balloon to the ground snaps and the balloon starts to take off and Dorthy tells him to come back, the Wizard is all 'oh no I can't bye.'

It totally made me hate the Wizard!

After all that, as everyone knows, one of the good witches helps Dorthy to get home and all is well. Overall, I don't recommend this book because it's boring and overrated. I don't see what all the hype is about the movie/books, and I just don't care for them.

If you want to read my other reviews, you can visit my blog at http://teenscenereading.blogspot.com/

If you want to take part in the Epicreads United States of YA visit the website at http://www.epicreads.com/blog/the-uni...

[Eva Tipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was concise. It did not add description just to add pages. The morals are easy to identify which is probably one reason why this book is such a classic--morals taught in a way that is entertaining. Of course having the movie shown on TV multiple times over the years definitely helps its popularity! Actually as I was reading the story, I recalled being invited to my neighbor's house to watch the movie on their new color TV. What a perfect story to broadcast as the first movie in color on TV! That's the story! Kansas is grey. Oz is beautifully colored! I still remember seeing Dorothy's ruby slippers on TV. OMGOSH. Then there are a few privileged souls who were able to attend the live cast theatre version of WICKED. So, so excellent!! I am still impatiently waiting for the movie version to be released.

[Jacklyn (ReadingBliss) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t remember when I started this, but it was a long time ago. I read it my son, 8-9 years old at the time, and he impressed me with how much he enjoyed it. He remembered so much and the characters and plot really impressed him- I could tell. It was fantastic fun for us to share. Just another beautiful story on our way to instilling a lifelong love of reading for him. I can only hope it will do the same for all my children.

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite character is Dorothy because she is kind.
I was surprised when Toto tipped over the screen because it was a really intense moment - the lion roared and Toto ran all around. I wouldn’t change the ending because I liked it when Dorothy got back to the Kansas prairie. I would recommend this book because it is magical.

[Karim Elmenshawy · Rating 2 out of 5]

How to work as team? ....That what story said .....

[MacKenzie Cash · Rating 3 out of 5]

hard to rate considering I’m not a child but interesting differences already compared to the movie and musical adaptation.

[Namitha Varma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical children's fairy-tale: out-of-the-world, and no questions asked. While it claims to have no morals, it does imply that to be kind and good to others is the best way to happiness.
I'd love to read it out to my child, when I have one. Though, I did have a problem with Tin Woodman's constant tree-chopping!

[R.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations that seem to be done with colors, which any child would appreciate perhaps more than many of the illustrated versions out there.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good read. Very easy and enjoyable. My kids really liked it.

[Sondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to hear the differences from the movie . . . good audio performance.