L. Frank Baum and J.T. Barbarese - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Kansas Centennial Edition

Pros: classic tale, easy to read for younger children and more hesitant readers, richly imagined

Cons: make sure you get a decent copy, abridged and rewrites abound

The Bottom Line: Reprint of the original story is as fabulous as I remembered it.

Review: Most of us are familiar with the realm of Oz through our childhood association with the 1939 classic film, The Wizard of Oz. Many no doubt also know that the film was based upon an original novel of the same name. What may not be known, however, is...

Pros: flowing story, many adventures

Cons: leaves you wanting more

Review: L. Frank Baum is sometimes called the writer of America's first fairytales. You will understand why when you read this book. Judging from the reviews the movie is currently more popular than the book, but I think the book will outlast the movie. I...

Pros: wonderful story, the illustrations leave nothing to be asked for

Cons: May be too violent for the younger reader. Hard to find the *correct* edition.

The Bottom Line: It's a classic. What else is there to say? If you don't have it, buy it now.

Review: A wondrous story full of adventure, villains that you love to hate, and political commentary to boot. What more could you ask for. The edition that I am going to be writing about is the Dover Edition which was published (has been republished...

Pros: fantastic tales, built-in interest for kids who've seen the movie

Cons: big words

Review: L. Frank Baum's Oz series is a real treat as a read-aloud story for a child or even a whole family. I have read them to my daughter a chapter at a time before bed since she was very young. (Now that she is reading well herself, she likes to keep the...