From School Library Journal
Grade 2-7–Baum's much-loved tale of four unlikely friends and their quest to find the Wizard has been subjected to countless retellings and adaptations, many of them just faint shadows of the original. Here, the entire story is enlivened with luminous watercolors. A combination of full spreads and partial page scenes portrays the group's feats and foibles. As he did so successfully in
The Wind in the Willows (Harcourt, 2002), Foreman uses his skillful command of color and light to emphasize the story's sense of adventure and enchantment. Readers many feel a need for sunglasses as they come upon the Emerald City. Subtle humorous details, such as the winged monkeys decked out in Red Baron-style goggles, are sure to elicit chuckles. The expressive fumbling scarecrow is the visual star of the quartet. However, the portrayal of a yellow-haired, nondescript Dorothy is a disappointment. Overall, this is an appealing and accessible alternative to the many cartoon versions of this modern classic.
–Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Book Description
Follow the yellow brick road of timeless enchantment. Over a century old, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz remains a perennial favorite, having delighted generations of youngsters (and their parents) on the page, screen, and stage. Yet, none of the countless retellings equals L. Frank Baum's original with its flights of fancy, inventive characters, and home-spun charm. In magnificent watercolors, one of today's best-known artists for children captures Dorothy and her motley band on their quest to the Emerald City and the fantastical creatures they meet along the way, too--from friendly Munchkins to the dreaded Winged Monkeys, from the evil Wicked Witch of the West to the wonderful Wizard himself. Every moment of the journey is awe-inspiring.
