Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum


Many of us grew up with the beloved movie, The Wizard of Oz, starring the beautiful Judy Garland as Dorothy.  We can sing along to Somewhere Over The Rainbow and may have even found ourselves a time or two clicking our heels together, repeating "There's no place like home."  We see magic in ruby slippers and wish we had our own yellow brick road.  The question remains . . . how many of us have actually experienced the original; the one through the eyes of author L. Frank Baum?

I have previously read Baum's classic years ago, before the blogging began.  I was excited, however, to pick it up again when my kids found a copy at the library.  I picked it up willingly, delighted to revisit it, this time with my kids.

The three of us ventured first into Kansas, then flew into the land of Oz.  We watched as Dorothy slipped on those silver shoes (yes, they were originally silver!).  We walked the yellow brick road alongside Dorothy and Toto as she met her friends:  Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.  We were in awe of the Emerald City, without wearing the green spectacles.  We traveled amongst the dangers on the way to defeat the witch and on the journey Dorothy took to find her way home.

My kids requested I read more frequently and to read just one more chapter.  They wanted to discuss the differences from the movie that is so familiar to them.  And, they wanted to pause and admire the artwork by W.W. Denslow before reading on.  The fact is we finished this book quicker than any other chapter book we have read before.  That alone speaks louder than all the praise I can continue to write.  Now, we just need to continue to discover the rest of the series together.

I shared Judy Garland's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow above, but just for fun I leave you with one of my personal favorite versions of this song.  Enjoy!


Have you experienced the real Oz?  What is your favorite part of Baum's world?

10 comments:

  1. I read this when I was a tween, and all I can remember was that there were several differences. I also played Dorothy (and in the morning performance I was a flying monkey) in the 4th grade, which was more in line with the book.

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    1. Kate Midnight Book Girl ... You were the lead role?!? That is awesome!!

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  2. I've never read the book, but have seen the movie several times. How cool that you were able to enjoy it with your children! And very impressed that they wanted to discuss the book vs movie differences! Way to go!

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    1. Alexia561 ... I was quite impressed that they wanted to talk about the differences too! I guess I might be doing something right with them!! :)

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  3. I listened to this on audiobook last year, and I LOVED it. The Tin Man is so so sweet. Even though the movie is a great adaptation, I like the book a lot more.

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    1. Tasha Brandstatter ... Same here! I really want to read the rest of the series, too!!

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  4. I'm so glad that your kids loved this as much as Z did! It's very different from the books that are written today but I definitely think it's in a good way. Baum was so talented to write a book (and series) that has such staying power. I need to keep going with my reread of all of the books because I know I have some favorites in the middle but I don't remember what they were!

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    1. Kristen M. ... Baum was a downright genius! I haven't actually read any more of the series, so I need to. Reading them with my kids will be an added bonus!

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  5. I haven't read the book, but I am not an enormous fan of the movie, either. Don't get me wrong, I still watch it from time to time but I have never fangirled over it or anything. Maybe I would change my mind if I read the book, but then again I am not sure I could make myself pick it up. I think the witch/mean woman on the bike still gives me the creeps lol.

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    1. Becca Lostinbooks ... I definitely recommend you pick up the book. The witch is only in about half of it. There is a much bigger focus on Dorothy and her companions than the movie ever lets on.

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