The Wizard of Oz
- Book Review,
by L. Frank Baum
Amazon.com
For many of us, the adventures of Dorothy in Oz will forever be associated not with Judy Garland singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" but with W. W. Denslow's exceedingly odd line drawings for the original editions of Baum's Oz series. The Viennese artist Lisbeth Zwerger, however, goes a long way toward providing a new and refreshed set of images for the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the humbug wizard. These illustrations are often cockeyed, with occasional realistic details thrown in, like a crow with a corncob in its beak in the first portrait of the Scarecrow. The characters have a poignance and oddity that escaped the makers of the Oz movie.
From Publishers Weekly
Santore's illustrations for this new edition of Baum's classic tale work on two levels. They capture the story's epic sweep in numerous colorful landscapes and dramatic tableaux, and they are models of sustained characterization. Though the paintings occasionally lapse into Saturday morning TV cartoon art, they generally evoke the many beloved scenes with verve. In contrast to a rather mundane scarecrow, Santore's cowardly lion is a splendid beast--looming over his companions, lower jaw ever a-quiver. The episodes in the Emerald City are appropriately green-tinted (the book's pages, in fact, are green in these sequences) and cleverly framed by faceted, emeraldlike borders. Unfortunately, the text is abridged, and significant sequences and characters are missing. These cuts have robbed Santore of the chance to realize fully his vision of Oz, and readers of the opportunity to enjoy the story as Baum told it. Morrow's facsimile of the first edition illustrated by W. W. Denslow and Holt's edition illustrated by Michael Hague are better versions of this enduring favorite. All ages. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 4-- While not precisely a picture-book version, this title features full-color illustrations on every page and a considerably shortened text. Santore's paintings are striking and they effectively mirror the familiar adventures of Dorothy and her friends. Unfortunately, the abridgment of the text is less successful. Much is made of the fact that few additions were made, leaving much of Baum's language intact. However, the deletion of some descriptive and transitional phrases and of various events creates a text that is much flatter and less engaging than the original. While the brevity and brisk tone do make the story suitable for very young listeners, the danger exists that those who have enjoyed Santore's version will never experience the magic of Baum's complete work. This concern, of course, must be weighed against the fine quality of the artwork and the fact that the book will undoubtedly prove useful in many collections. The decision to include abridged texts rests with each library. For those who do include such items, this Wizard of Oz will be a worthwhile investment. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of PittsburghCopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The New York Times Book Review, Lore Segal
It's a fashion adventure, too, that Dorothy survives. She does so mysteriously, sweetly; she is beautifully funny.
From AudioFile
This is a delightful rendition of Baum's classic tale of mystery and adventure. Alexandra Bradbury's clear, expressive voice brings Dorothy to life. Deutsch gives a wonderful performance as the narrator, the witches and other female characters, while Tim Hunter rounds out the cast as the lion, the woodsman, the scarecrow and Oz. This program will entertain listeners of all ages. No doubt there will be high demand for other tales in this series. B.L.W. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
From Booklist
Ages 5^-8, older for reading alone. Children familiar with the Wizard of Oz books associate the stories with the original artist, W. W. Denslow. Even more, kids remember the cinematic images of the MGM movie. So it is bold of Viennese artist Zwerger to re-illustrate this classic, but for those willing to accept a new vision, it will suit nicely. The handsome, oversize volume features both full-page art and cameos. The art, naturally, has a European flavor, here translated into fey paintings that catch the lighter elements of the story. The chief characters are very different from those we have come to know: the Scarecrow is fat and wears a small dunce cap, the Cowardly Lion is pure animal, not a bit cuddly, and Dorothy is more demure than we remember her. Only the Tin Man looks as if he could walk into a previous version of the story. Like yet another variation of Baum's classic, The Wiz, this shows the way a popular tale can take on new life. Ilene Cooper
From Kirkus Reviews
Zwerger (illustrator of Theodor Storm's Little Hobbin, 1995, etc.) creates characters who may, if not erase the MGM cast from the collective conscious of US readers, make them share some space therein. These tinkling, wafty creatures are very comfortable in Baumland--the creator did, after all, want this to be a fairy tale where ``the heart-aches and nightmares are left out''--particularly the Scarecrow, with his stuffed-pillow head, conical hat, and tremendous girth. Zwerger doesn't try to overwhelm the story, and many of the pieces are small expressive exercises of her vision. In an illustrator's note, she says, ``Baum's precise details--his vivid descriptions of the Munchkins, for example--make an illustrator almost superfluous.'' Actually, her paintings lead readers gracefully into the pages, to be surprised and entertained by the story they only think they know from the movie. (Fiction. 7-11) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Book Description
Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title—offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.
This edition of The Wizard of Oz includes a Foreword, Biographical Note, and Afterword by Jane Yolen.
In a terrifying instant of darkness, a tornado snatches up Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto, whirling them on the wild wind out of Kansas and straight to Oz.
In this wondrous world of sorcery and danger, Munchkins, flying monkeys, talking mice and fighting trees, all Dorothy wants to do is go home...
Together with the Scarecrow who wants a brain, the Tin Man who wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who wants courage, Dorothy and Toto must follow the Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard of the Emerald City. But before the wizard of Oz will grant their wishes, Dorothy and her friends must do the impossible--Destroy the all-powerful Wicked Witch of the West....
Card catalog description
After being transported by a cyclone to the land of Oz, Dorothy and her dog are befriended by a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion, who accompany her to the Emerald City to look for a wizard who can help Dorothy return home to Kansas.
From the Publisher
This book is in Electronic Paperback Format. If you view this book on any of the computer systems below, it will look like a book. Simple to run, no program to install. Just put the CD in your CDROM drive and start reading. The simple easy to use interface is child tested at pre-school levels. Windows 3.11, Windows/95, Windows/98, OS/2 and MacIntosh and Linux with Windows Emulation. Includes Quiet Vision's Dynamic Index. the abilty to build a index for any set of characters or words. This Electronic Paperback is illustrated. This Electronic Paperback is read aloud by an actor.
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