Publisher and Publication Date: Original publisher and date is George M. Hill and Company in 1900. My edition is Kindle E-Book. The Kindle copy is no longer available as I purchased it at Amazon a while back. Other e-book editions are available.
Genre: Children’s fiction and fantasy.
Pages: 137.
Format: E-Book.
Source: Self purchase from Amazon.
Audience: Readers of Children’s stories.
Rating: Very good.

Link for an E-Book edition @ Amazon.

I believe there are a total of 14 in the series.

Summary:

The film with Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale was released in 1939. It is titled The Wizard of Oz.

The film is so ingrained in my mind it is hard to imagine reading the story without picturing Judy Garland as Dorothy. While reading, I quickly picked up on differences in the film and book.

Most know the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. But for those who do not know. Dorothy is in her farmhouse where she lives with an aunt and uncle when it is picked up by a tornado and set down on top of a witch in a new land far from her Kansas home. Her aunt and uncle did not travel with her. She wants to go home despite being in this bright and vibrant colored land. If you remember in the film, it is drab gray everywhere until she opens the door to this new Technicolor land.

She is told to travel a long journey to see Oz and he will help. Along the way she meets kindred folk: Scarecrow, Tinman, and the Lion. Each of them has a reason to see the great and wonderful Oz.

Oz wants help before he gives help to Dorothy and her travel partners. So, they embark on a new journey. They meet the terrible Wicked Witch of the West!

I almost forgot her dear friend and constant companion, her little dog Toto.

My Thoughts:

The film, The Wizard of Oz, is such a wonderful, beautiful, and endearing memory for me. Because I picture mother sitting beside me while watching it. I remember the different ages I have been while watching it. I remember watching it with my own children and grandchildren. The Wizard of Oz is a treasure in film. It is remarkable for its era. I could go on and on.

The book is memorable and remarkable because of its unique legacy in story. Remember it was published in 1900. What an imagination Baum had. I remember a Victorian fantasy story which was written by George MacDonald, Phantastes. I do not think there were many others like it.

So often films are not better than the book. In this case, I believe the film enhanced the book and complimented it. It certainly gave it a timeless quality.

For the book, I knew what to expect. It was fun to spot the differences. I will not share in review those differences but let the readers find them.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a splendid story of moral teaching, adventure, friendship, and endurance.

It has internal and external conflicts.

It has memorable and fascinating characters.

The book I have rated very good. I rate the film excellent.