Editorial Review
One of the true classics of American literature,
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has stirred the imagination of young and old alike for over four generations. Originally published in 1900, it was the first truly American fairy tale, as Baum crafted a wonderful out of such familiar items as a cornfield scarecrow, a mechanical woodman, and a humbug wizard who used old-fashioned hokum to express that universal theme, "There's no place like home."
Follow the adventures of young Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, as their Kansas house is swept away by a cyclone and they find themselves in a strange land called Oz. Here she meets the Munchkins and joins the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion on an unforgettable journey to the Emerald City, where lives the all-powered Wizard of Oz.
This lavishly produced facsimile of the rare first edition contains all 24 of W. W. Denslow's original color plates, the colorful pictorial binding, and the 130 two-color illustrations that help make The Wonderful Wizard of Oz so special and enduring.
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Customer Reviews
The original weirdness 
2008-05-11
I admit, it has been years since I bothered to read this book--kiddie-hood, in fact. I also never saw the movie all the way through until I entered college. But since Oz has utterly invaded our culture, I figured I would give myself a reminder of what all the fuss is about and maybe find new ways to complain about "Wicked."Truly, this is what classic children's literature should be! Despite Baum's beginning note that he wanted to write a fairy tale with just joy and no horror, this still manages to be a considerably freaky book--and I do not mind this in the least. The recent surge of children's fantasy is only a testimony that kids want a little horror and macabre. And yet it is all done in the best of taste, an almost Carol-esque world of the bizaree and wonderful. It is almost a pity that technology at the time of the movie would not allow the capture of some of these fantastic ideas and beings. And yet I can see why so many adults continue to love this story. Maybe because I am rereading this as an adult, but I found some incredible themes that, naysayers listen, go far beyond the petty "I want this and that" mentality that is only seen in the film version.Anyway, this is simply a great adventure story that has all the ingredients of good versus evil and wild imagination and darling characters you can't help but love. I read this is one setting, absolutely mesmorized by the story that has caught the hearts of so many. After all, who doesn't want to be swept away to the magical land of Oz and be immediately declared a witch or wizard simply because you happen to be more different and exciting than the rest of the citizens? I give warning that this is somewhat different from the movie.
Not like the movie 
2008-01-20
my mother read the books to me when i was little and coming from a generation where having a movie on Television was a treat i can remember being extremely disappointed in the movie. The main thing being the fact that Dorothy (who is supposed to be, i believe, 8) was played by someone who was definitely NOT 8. Not even close. Originally, Shirley Temple was supposed to be cast but the studio would not lend her so judy Garland got the job. The movie is very different from the book. I think the book should be read first and then the movie.
Fantastic Gift... 2008-01-18
I bought this as a gift for my mother & future mother-in-law who are both Wizard of Oz fans & avid readers. They both loved it! The pictures are beautiful, the pages easy to read. I had looked @ getting the entire set in one book, but am so glad that I decided to purchase them individually. I'm sure I'll be getting a set for myself soon.
Oz is Heaven 2007-10-04
After many years, I have reread the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and enjoyed it as much as the movie. Having just completed a story that is available on Amazon (Dreality), I find my story to be quite similar an adventure. Mine is not fantasy, but based on what might happen if dreams could propel a person to heaven without them actually dying. Not coincidentally, I often reference "Oz" in comparing it to heaven and have a similar theme of wanting to leave and return back home. So, if you enjoyed "Oz" as a child, perhaps you will give my story, a grown-up version of "Oz" a chance.
A classic 2007-06-01
The Wizard of Oz ever been the classic read in my Library is a great read as well as viewing the DVD too. Children love to read the classics and this one is quite an imagination soaring to Emerald City. "At sunrise Dorothy and her friends resumed journey to see a beautiful gree glow in the sky when Dorothy said, "That sure be the Emerald city". Then, she rang tha bell and the big gate swung open slowing and there was a large room covered with sparkling emeralds....So goes on. Dorothy and her dog Toto reach to the Land of Oz after the cyclone hit. She along with the others, scarecrow, Munchkins, Tin woodman and the Lion explores and gets the rewards from the Oz. All are happy except Dorothy who wish to return to her home in Kansas. And there comes the winged monkeys with the charm of the Golden cap,who can fly her to her home. Later, Dorothy meets Glinda, an attractive witch who helps her out and she fly home. There is a slight different version I find in the DVD but the book is much a better read and a lot classic teaching in the classroom. Children find the book quite interesting too. L Baum's first published book Wizard of OZ later has 13 sequels of the original story. A hundred years and L Baum's works now appears in Gutenberg Project too. However, Wizard of OZ is a must pick and this book should be taught as a Literature supplement in the classroom. Enjoy.
- ilaxi
The Wizard of Oz (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Great book with many hidden meanings 2007-05-27
One of the true classics of American literature,
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has stirred the imagination of young and old alike for over four generations. Originally published in 1900, it was the first truly American fairy tale, as Baum crafted a wonderful out of such familiar items as a cornfield scarecrow, a mechanical woodman, and a humbug wizard who used old-fashioned hokum to express that universal theme, "There's no place like home."
Follow the adventures of young Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, as their Kansas house is swept away by a cyclone and they find themselves in a strange land called Oz. Here she meets the Munchkins and joins the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion on an unforgettable journey to the Emerald City, where lives the all-powered Wizard of Oz.
This lavishly produced facsimile of the rare first edition contains all 24 of W. W. Denslow's original color plates, the colorful pictorial binding, and the 130 two-color illustrations that help make The Wonderful Wizard of Oz so special and enduring.
Wondrous and Good! 2007-05-18
What a wondrous and good adventure is the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the current 100th anniversary edition is the best to own. So many people have watched the movie and never read the book. The book is truly the best ever and a lot of the fun. If you have never shown the movie to your kids, which may be impossible to have not done so, please wait and read them the book first. L Frank Baum was the first to write a modern fairy tale for children. He wrote the first American Fairy Tale which featured Scarecrows, Men of Tin, china people, and winged monkeys. I have to confess I am a big Oz fan. The Oz series began a trend which continues today as with the Harry Potter Books, the spiderwick chronicles, and many others. OZ began this trend and the Oz books still delight us. Yes the 1939 movie helped to immortalize the book but in the film they say plainly that the book gave nearly 40 years of dedicated followers. The makers of the film clearly saw the book as already a classic and it remains so today.
5th Graders from G.G 2007-04-30
"The Wizard of Oz" is a book any person of age will love. It is a fantasy that has enjoyable characters and interesting plots. Our group had to read a fantasy book for class, and out of all the fantasy books that we could have chose, we chose The Wizard of Oz. At first it didn't grab us, but as we continued reading the book, it became more interesting. The Wizard of Oz is a great book for anyone who is interested in old style fantasy. In conclusion, the Wizard of Oz is a GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!
I am a sixth grader 2007-04-15
I am a sixth grader and I am writing my report for, "The Wizard of Oz" for my book report. Overall I liked this book. It was a little unrealistic but it was a fantasy/adventure book. It was quite different from the movie and had a lot of things added. The group of Dorothy, the tin man, the scarecrow, and as they call him in the book, the cowardly lion. Travel from the land of the munchkins, to the City of Oz. To the land of Glinda, the good witch of the north. The whole party has many adventures and each plays a part in helping Dorothy get back to Kansas.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 2007-04-01
This 100th Anniversary edition is great for children and adults. The art work is incredible and it brings the story to life in a whole new way.
