The Wizard of Oz (Oz Series #1) »

Not only is L. Frank Baum s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz one of the most enduring and magical children s books ever written, it s also -- with its adventurousness and its lessons of resourcefulness, friendship, courage, and self-reliance -- one of the most American.

"Profusely illustrated with full-color paintings, rich in detail, romantic in mood, but with touches of comedy. They interpret the story beautifully, and they are particularly striking in depicting the setting." --Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Children's Literature

Using a condensed version of Baum's original 1900 text, the illustrator provides us with his unique interpretation of this American fantasy. Dorothy and Toto still meet Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion on their way to Oz. Obstacles like the poppy field, flying monkeys and the fake wizard are met and overcome. Dorothy discovers what is truly valuable in life returning to gray old Kansas and the loving arms of her aunt and uncle. Santore has fun drawing the Cowardly Lion towering over his companions, bending the Wicked Witch of the West at outrageous angles, and painting Oz green, greener, and greenest. This shorter, centennial-celebration version with dynamic graphics may be just right to read to the younger set who wiggle too much to sit through the entire original version. 2000, Random House, $21.95. Ages 6 to 12. Reviewer: Chris Gill