Most of us are familiar with the realm of Oz through our childhood association with the 1939 classic film, The Wizard of Oz. Many no doubt also know that the film was based upon an original novel of the same name. What may not be known, however, is that this book, The Wizard of Oz, also published under the title The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was actually the first book in a series written by Frank L. Baum. Initially conceived as bedtime stories for his children, Frank. L. Baum wrote the stories down and got them published to great acclaim. This first book appeared in print in 1900 and remains in print in over 47 languages around the world today. Baum looked to ...  Read the complete review

The Wizard of Oz is one of the all-time great Hollywood movies. It made Judy Garland's career and that of actress, Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch and who went on to have a very success acting career. The book upon which the film was based was written in 1900 and published under its full title, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". The book was a huge success and became a much loved children's story in America throughout the first decades of the 20th century. I had never read this book, even as a child, and it wasn't until a film sequel was made in 1985 under the title of "Return to Oz", staring the brilliant Nicol Williamson as ...  Read the complete review

I have always loved the story of The Wizard of Oz as I'm sure many of you have through the wonderful 1939 film starring the amazingly talented Judy Garland. Due to my love of the film I had always been interested in reading the book by Frank L. Baum and once I did I was not disappointed. The book was originally published as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900 and due to the popularity of the book Baum went onto write 13 sequels 2 of which were later turned into the less known 1985 film Return to Oz. The book was illustrated by W.W. Denslow. Baum was influenced by Hans Christian Anderson and the Brothers Grimm and wanted to reprise fairy tales into his stories ...  Read the complete review

The Wizard of Oz is a classic children's tale written by Baum in the 1890's and and later adapted into film to make one of the classics of early colour cinema. But behind the simple plot and charming characters, there are deeper messages that the reader may find for herself. The main character is a young girl called Dorothy who in a typhoon is transported along with her little dog Toto to a strange land seemingly outside reality, and she is on a quest to return home. Along her journey, she meets and makes friends with a straw man, a tin man and a lion who also each have a quest of their own. If you haven't read the book, it might be better if you ...  Read the complete review

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum really is one of the most incredible novels available. It is a children's novel and is also a fantasy adventure that was originally published in 1990. The book contains 259 pages and so is a relatively long book for children but I'm sure as you know the quality is like none other and it just has the most amazing story line! In 1939 there was a film version of the novel made that was also very popular. I would really recommend this as a children's book because I remember absolutely loving this novel. The story is about when at first a large, scary and powerful cyclone that hits Dorothy's home in Kansas. This then forces ...  Read the complete review