The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Rating: 5/5
 
Read from July 22 to August 03, 2013 — I own a copy
This Review has light spoilers.
This book is one of those cases that the movie is good, but so does not do justice for the book. 
 
The movie left out so much that I would have loved to have seen in the movie. Naturally, some things that are in the book, I’m glad they left out because it is not meant to be seen by younger audiences; unless you make an Adult/Young Adult version like they do with the fairy tales these days. But I did enjoy the book. It took me so long to read it because I just wasn’t in the mood to read but it is good.
One of my favorite parts of the book were when they went to kill the Wicked Witch of the West and ran into the Winkies. And another part was the China People. Both of them I enjoyed.
 
This book is one of my favorites this year. There are some parts in this book that I wouldn’t suggest for younger children (Under 10 y/o, and even that’s kind of pushing it, depending on your child). 
 
There was a part where the Tinman chopped off a few heads, and for me, younger children, if they’re a little more sensitive to that type of violence, I wouldn't suggest you let them read it until you know they can handle it. It didn't get detailed beyond saying he chopped off the heads but still, that much could upset some kids if they are sensitive. And there is also a part with a large spider as well.
 
I generally try to keep spoilers out of my reviews, but in this case, for those who haven’t read the book yet, I wanted to give some idea what was in it. Now, I don’t know if all editions are the same, but the one I read had those things mentioned in the spoilers. If you like classics, I would suggest this book to anyone.
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The most beautiful of this novel so far. Illustrations to die for. ( )

What a fantastic read! I read this book during my first week of Christmas vacation while I sick and puking from stomach flu. Dorothy is so smart. I love that L. Frank Baum didn't make her some doofy little girl (like Stephanie Meyers did with Bella in Twilight - Steph, read Wizard of Oz and smarten up your girls!). Such a good book. I love how strong and capable all the characters were and yet they let little things make them self-concious. But then when needed their powers came out. The Tin Woodman not stepping on a bug. The cowardly lion pulling the raft ashore. The Scarecrow time and time again came up with ingenious ways to get them out of whatever trouble the group was in. Just a fabulous book. I think all kids should have to read this book and then have to read it again as high school students and then again as college students and one last time as adults. We all have our power inside us, we just have to trust ourselves and tap into it.

I read the book originally to just have something "light" while not feeling well. But I was so wrong, this book made me think so much. It also prepared me to reread "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire. Everything means so much more this time around as I read "Wicked". Dorothy - so smart and strong in Wizard of Oz, not some silly little girl singing along - can be seen, if from the Witch's point of view, as a threat. I just love both books. ( )

Such a fun little story! So much more here than in the movie. There is no place like home. The Tin Woodsman is so BA. ( )

I really, really liked this book! I honestly had pretty low expectations going into this book and thought it wouldn't compare at all to the greatness of the 1939 movie (which is one of my favorite movies), but I was wrong. It was one of the best children's classics that I've ever read and I even loved how it wasn't that similar to the movie, so it kept me interested. I also had a beautiful hardcover Puffin Classics edition, so that make the experience even better! It would be great to read to a class. ( )