Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

On the library stacks: Children's Fiction
AR Reading Level: 7.0
Series: Book 1 of 14 (Oz)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think most people reading this blog are probably pretty familiar with the story of The Wizard of Oz. I'm ashamed to say I never read it as a child, even though I watched the movie a zillion times. In a weird twist of fate, I have never shown my children the movie (burnout maybe?) but at least one of them has read the book.

Honestly, the most upsetting thing about reading this book was finding out that Baum wrote that Dorothy's slippers were silver, not ruby. I really can't get over that. Ruby slippers make Dorothy's ensemble complete.

This book is certainly imaginative and I like the message that the power to change our lives already rests within our control. The tin man and his back story were my favorite parts of the novel.  I did find it simplistic and plodding at times though. I'm glad I read it, but this book won't be a lasting favorite.

Also reviewed by: Capricious Reader ~ Puss Reboots ~ Rebecca Reads ~ The Book Nest ~ Your link here?
Source: Free Kindle download

3 comments:

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

I've been reading this whole series over the past couple years. I'm currently in the middle of The Emerald City of Oz. It's such a fun series. I heard they switched the slippers from silver to ruby in the movie to make the switch to color more dramatic.

pussreboots said...

I'm about to start Glinda of Oz. Thank you for the link to my review.

Unknown said...

We listened to this in the car during the summer. I had never read it as a kid either. It was a hit with my kiddos and I really enjoyed it too. My five year old was hilarious talking about the wigged monkeys.

Thanks for the reviews Trisha.