Baum also churned out sequels like The Marvelous Land of Oz and The Tik-Tok Man of Oz. The former journalist and window dresser was smitten with the theater and devoted himself to seeing his stories adapted.
Although editor Michael Patrick Hearn's copious notes and biographical background are for the kids to grow into -- Baum's "Kansas" was really patterned on the bleak Dakota territory, where his editorials supported extermination of the Indians after the massacre at Wounded Knee -- the story, accompanied by W. W. Denslow's original, quaint drawings, remains a delight. Episodes and characters omitted from the '39 film, such as the Queen of the Field Mice, enrich this centenary treasure.
Click click -- a terrific, beautifully bound gift
The annotations for this book, on the other hand, tend to focus more on the thematic and symbolic elements and how they are brought out in the text. I was a little disgruntled at this until I realized that the society behind Dorothy needed less explaining than the society behind Alice, at least to an American reader. Given that, I think that the annotations make the book significantly more interesting and enjoyable for the adult reader. Also included is one of the longest introductions I've ever encountered (102 pages), which is primarily a biography of Baum. (I was going to say a mini-biography, but I don't think 102 oversized pages is a "mini.")
A fascinating read for Oz fans.
If you are reading to your children, this book is a top choice. Kids who are read to become better readers. And what can be more quality time that hearing the loving voice of a mom or dad or even elder sibling, reading an exciting tale?
The centennial edition has 70 pages of biographical information about Baum, info on the entire Oz series (it's quite a number of books), a section about W. W. Denslow's beloved illustrations and much more. This makes the book not only a great family gift but also a good present for a child to treasure for his or her entire life. I still have my copy of Wizard of Oz, complete with a torn page (the pretty picture of Glynda on her throne), a souvenir of my baby sister (oh well) and I would NEVER part from it. This is a gorgeous edition and should be a top choice for your shelf of good children's literature.