The Wizard of Oz (Puffin Classics) by
L. Frank Baum
An Excellent, New Edition To Keep For Many Years.
Dorothy thinks she is lost forever when a terrifying tornado crashes
through Kansas and whisks her and her dog, Toto, far away to the magical
land of Oz. To get home Dorothy must follow the yellow brick road to
Emerald City and find the wonderfully mysterious Wizard of Oz. Together
with her companions the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly
Lion whom she meets on the way, Dorothy embarks on a strange and
enchanting adventure. With a charming introduction by award-winning
Cornelia Funke, The Wizard of Oz is one of the twelve wonderful classics
being relaunched in Puffin Classics in March 2008.
Personal Review: The Wizard of Oz (Puffin Classics) by L. Frank
Baum
Here's a trivia question for you. When Dorothy killed the Wicked Witch of
the West by dropping her house on the witch, was the witch wearing (a)

ruby slippers? (b) silver shoes? (c) both? If you answered "both," you
have the correct answer. L. Frank Baum's original story (found in this
book) has magical silver shoes in it. The movie version of the story,
starring Judy Garland as Dorothy, had ruby slippers. Why the change?
Well, ruby slippers film much better. So the Wicked Witch of the West
wore both types of footwear, depending on whether you are reading the
book or watching the movie. I share that example with you because 9
people out of 10 have seen the movie, but never read the book. When I
was a wee lad, I started in the opposite direction and was sorry to see how
much of the Oz story was left out in the movie. Now, you can make up for
lost time by reading or rereading the original. I commend it to you for three
primary reasons. First, the book version is built around the idea that the
different parts of Oz cannot be easily traversed and the ensuing travel
complications make for a better plot. Second, there are many more types
of imaginative creatures in the book than in the movie. Third, the book has
been lovingly enhanced by new illustrations done in turn of the 20th
century style by Michael Hague. The illustrations encompass styles from
immediately post van Gogh (yes, there are sunflowers) through Art Deco. I
especially liked the water colors of gloomy and darkening skies.If you are
like me, you will chortle when you read L. Frank Baum's comment in the
beginning that the story was "written solely to please children . . . a
modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained . . ."
while the scary parts are left out. If you remember frightening moments,
you are thinking about the movie. The book is much more gentle, which
makes it more suitable for the youngsters. Yes, there are frightening
villains, but they are quickly dispatched rather than being allowed to hang
around to menace and frighten children just before bedtime. Still, children
must have been braver in those days. This story is still scary enough for
most to feel a deathly chill now and then. Many of the ambiguities and
confusing aspects of the movie are clearer and less disconcerting in the
book, as well. I won't go into a fine comparison of the two, because that
will just spoil the plot for you. Do let me mention a few chapters that you
will not recognize from the movie . . . just to whet your appetite for the book
-- Away to the South, Attacked by the Fighting Trees, The Dainty China
Country, and The Country of the Quadlings.After you have finished
enjoying the wonderful story and new illustrations, think about some of the
lessons of the book. Notice that by teaming up, Dorothy and her friends
could combine strengths to overcome individual weaknesses. This is the
ultimate group of superheroes. How can you combine your talents with
others so that all of you combined can accomplish vastly more than any
one of you can individually?Stay on the Yellow Brick Road with effective
allies!
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