All Things Oz: The Wonder, Wit, and Wisdom of The Wizard of Oz

by Linda Sunshine

Welcome to the Land of Oz and the imagination of L. Frank Baum. Welcome to The Willard Carroll Collection, a world-renowned archive of more than 30,000 Wizard of Oz items.

For the first time ever, editor Linda Sunshine has collected excerpts from Baum’s fourteen Oz novels, poems, short stories, and song lyrics and married them to art from around the world, some dating as far back as 1899. Here are 352 pages of stunning illustrations (some never before published in this country) and profoundly wise text that honors the ideals of home, heart, intellect, and bravery. Be prepared for wizards, witches, winged monkeys, a hungry tiger, a rainbow fairy, the Munchkins, the Fuddles, and the beloved characters who have become cultural Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. “In the Land of Oz, anything is possible,” Baum tells us in Ozma of Oz (1907). “For it is a wonderful fairy country.”

Ever since The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published, we’ve been entranced with life in Oz. More than a hundred years later, All Things Oz comes to earth to reignite the imagination and offer safe passage back to the land over the rainbow. Open this book and let the journey begin.

Genres: Fantasy, Art, Fiction, Childrens, Reference

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2003

Reviews

[Lệ Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be a great collection of excerpts, quotes and illustrations for any Oz fans out there. I was impressed by the variety of artwork and the beautiful layout design, which are surpassed those of many other art books I’ve seen so far.
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"No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire." - The Lost Princess of Oz, 1917 (p.36)
*
"Be contented with your fate, for discontent leads to unhappiness, and unhappiness, in any form, is the greatest evil that can befall you." - The Tin Woodman of Oz, 1918 (p.140)
*
"People often do a good deed without hope of reward, but for an evil deed they always demand payment." - The Emerald City of Oz, 1910 (p.140)

"Never give up. No one knows what's going to happen next." - Dorothy, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, 1913 (p.156)
*
"There was no reply. So the boy called to the King: "Are you all right, your majesty?"
The Scarecrow groaned.
"I'm all wrong, somehow," he said in a weak voice. - The Marvelous Land of Oz, 1904 (p.272)
*
"The last end of a wait, however long it has been, is the hardest to endure." - The Tin Woodman of Oz, 1918 (p.278)
*
"To become self-reliant, you must trust your own inner nature and love yourself." Joey Green, The Zen of Oz: Ten Spiritual Lessons from Over The Rainbow, 1998 (p.318)

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. It is indeed simply a collection of quotes from L. Frank Baum's Oz books, heavily illustrated. Many of the illustrations are indeed W.W. Denslow and John R. Neill's originals from the first releases of the various books, but there's also Oz illustrations and ephemera from around the world. For me, seeing all of these variants on familiar, beloved characters was my favorite part. I only wish that those illustrations had all been credited on the pages where they appear, instead of at the end of the book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a delightful gift book. I do wish the illustrators had been credited, so I know which editions to try to find, or at least so I could google for more art by certain names. But it's a fun book, not a scholarly one. Bonus star because it makes me want to read the sequels to the original story. I wonder if any of my libraries has a print omnibus of some, or some way to make it easy for me to read them....

[Michael Van Kerckhove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift probably shortly after it was published. I've looked through it over the years. But finally read and enjoyed it cover to cover after after watching the L. Frank Baum documentary on PBS's American Masters. I've read 3 of the original books, but definitely like to read more.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork, spanning over a century, featured in this book is simply stunning.

[Scott Butki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating, exhaustive

[Stormy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those fascinating books you use as reference, inspiration, and meditation before bed. It has quotes from characters, artwork that I had never seen before, and ephemera like reprints from Oz comic book pages. I keep this book by my bedside, and go to it when I need a mental lift. It never fails me.

My dear brother found this book for me —he knows that I would love to live in Oz. If only I could be like Dorothy and travel back and forth between the two realities.

[Orion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Editor Sunshine has provided a wonderful overview volume to the 14 volumes of Oz books written by L. Frank Baum. Each page contains an illustration from the collection of Willard Carroll, many appearing in print in the USA for the first time. So even Oz fanatics like me will find surprises throughout this book. To this graphic delight, Sunshine has selected passages both long and short from Baum's Oz writings that summarize many of the delightful aspects of his amazing fantasy fairyland. Also included are sections called Other Voices where selected commentary on Baum's Oz writings are presented. She calls this collection a whirlwind tour. Between the many illustrations and the large print, this is a quick read, but a very enjoyable one.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice collection of quotes, short stories, and excerpts from Mr. Baum's 13 original stories from the "Oz" series. There is a very thorough representation of the artwork from a century of various versions as well as memorabilia.

For someone who only knows the story that was made into "THE" movie this might be a nice introduction to some of the other characters that appear in later works.

Also this could be a great book for a waiting room or on a coffee table because of all the interesting art and short text.

Anyone who loves the story will appreciate this book but it just makes me want to get back to a full, real story book again.

[Gwyneth Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly pictures, but still a good book.