This fascinating, colorfully written book illuminates l. Nprs backseat book club is going back to where the yellow brick road began with the original book that started it all, the wonderful wizard of oz. In 1900, baum wrote one of the most famous works of childrens. Frank baum, in full lyman frank baum, born may 15, 1856, chittenango, new york, u. The book was in the earliest binding state, but the presence. The wizard of oz, the 1939 film based on baums stories, remains a. Im sure by now youve guessed that this logline belongs to the wizard of oz. He made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and the nascent medium of film. The classic film the wizard of oz was based on the first oz book by l. Frank baum novel the wonderful wizard of oz and its afterlife surprisingly, the famous 1939 mgm film the wizard of oz was not the first time l. Denslow, of one of the most popular books in american childrens literature, the wonderful wizard of oz, better known today as simply the wizard of oz. The wonderful wizard of oz was his most famous work.
Lyman frank baum was an american author chiefly famous for his childrens books, particularly the wonderful wizard of oz and its sequels. May 15, 1856 may 6, 1919 was an american author chiefly famous for his childrens books, particularly the wonderful wizard of oz and its sequels. With john ritter, annette otoole, rue mcclanahan, charles haid. Denslow, and published at the turn of the 20th century in the year 1900. From the san francisco call california november 18, 1900 the wonderful wizard of oz, by l frank baum, with pictures by w. Baum was a prolific writer, known for the bestselling childrens book the wonderful wizard of oz.
The 14th and final oz book written by baum, glinda of oz, was published in 1920, a year after his death. Ruth plumly thompson continued to write the series after his death. The success of the original the wonderful wizard of oz book was so overwhelming that every time baum tried to put an end to the 14 sequels that followed it, legions of children would write him. Wizard of oz writer called racist the washington post. Following the yellow brick road back to the origins of oz. It is also widley considered to be one of the very first official american fairytales and fables. The classic edition is a beautifully rendered book that is sure to quickly become a family favorite. She begins singing about how tired she is of trying to do what others want her to do and be who they want her to be.
Denslow and composer paul tietjens, baum set out to turn his book into a musical. We have to keep in mind that even though it has been more than hundred years since this book was published it still carries the name of a modern fairytale. The council with the munchkins of the wonderful wizard of oz by l. Lyman frank baum 18561919, born in chittenango, new york, was a journalist, dramatist, and writer best known for his fantasies about the land of oz, the first being the wonderful wizard of oz. And even matilda had to admit that he was a good writer. Even so, the wizard of oz found a way to oneup everyone by adding a twist. Of course, the staying power of baums book can partially be attributed to the second life it received courtesy of hollywood. The wonderful wizard of oz, commonly known as the wizard of oz, is the first book in the famous oz series by author l. Lyman frank baum was born on may 15, 1856 to a welltodo family near syracuse, new york. Alex baugh of randomly reading i look forward to bringing this book into my classroom on monday. All of the baum written books are in the public domain in the united states. In fact, the 1939 film the wizard of oz was the eighth film adaptation of l.
Frank baum was purchased in 1972 at sotheby parke bernet on behalf of a private collector. A modern fairy tale with a distinctly american setting, a delightfully levelheaded heroine, and engaging fantasy characters, the story was enormously popular and became a classic of childrens literature. Frank baum, is a book that has transcended its time and place more than a century after its publication, it remains a seminal piece of popular culture helped, of course, by the iconic 1939 film adaptation starring judy garland. That emphasizes how dull and boring kansas is, and actually takes a page from baums book. The success of this book led to his writing thirteen sequels. Come take a tour, visit our exhibitions, and view the gorgeous main reading room. She was awakened by a shock, so sudden and severe that if dorothy had not been lying on the soft bed she might have been hurt. The wonderful wizard of oz is an american childrens novel written by author l. As it was, the jar made her catch her breath and wonder what had happened. Frank baums boomand bust storyfrom the crowded finger lakes to the parched south dakota territory.
Interesting facts about the wonderful wizard of oz. Published in 1900, the story of dorothy and her friends the scarecrow, tin woodman, and cowardly lion captured the public. The very high pointthe moment everyone in the audience waits forin one of the most popular musicals on broadway comes as a young woman stands alone onstage. The oz books form a book series that begins with the wonderful wizard of oz 1900. Lovers path home is an upcoming book speaking to the readers life reflected in the story, wizard of oz. What is the story of the wizard of oz anderson, kirsten. The wonderful wizard of oz, childrens book written by l. After a twister transports a lonely kansas farm girl to a magical land, she sets out on a dangerous journey to find a wizard with the power to send her home. The wizard of oz is filled with some of the most quotedlines in cinema history along with a truly scary villain and one of the most covered songs eversomewhere over the rainbow. Dorothy gale is a farm girl whos living a quiet life in kansas with her uncle henry and aunt em, her miserable, but loving, relatives. The film is the biography of frank baum, the childrens book author and creator of the fantasy world oz. He wrote about sixty books in all, mostly for children. The original book, the wizard of oz titled the wonderful wizard of oz, was written by american author l. Frank baum actually has a fascinating feminist origin.
A fragmented dust jacket for a first edition of wonderful wizard of oz 1900 by l. Frank baum, who went on to write fourteen fulllength oz books. His book, was published september 1 by the george m hill company of chicago and new york the book is in every way novel and unique. Other books for children followed the original oz book, and baum continued to produce the popular oz books until his death in 1919. Even while he was alive, baum was styled as the royal historian of oz to emphasize the. Baum wrote 14 books in the oz series, and was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry. Lyman frank baum may 15, 1856may 6, 1919 wrote the wizard of oz. The series was so popular that after baums death and by special arrangement, oz books continued to be written for the series by other authors. I have a feeling that many of my wizard of oz fans will be clamoring to read it. Interesting fact related to rare oz dust jacket from appraising rare and collectible childrens book. Frank baum, the wonderful wizard of oz, published in may 1900. The film starred a teenage judy garland as dorothy.
Today it is more commonly known under the shortened title, the wizard of oz. Lyman frank baum was an american author, actor, and independent filmmaker best known as the creator, along with illustrator w. In a letter to his brother, harry, baum wrote that the books publisher, george m. His first book, father goose 1899, was a commercial success. The wonderful wizard of oz is a beautiful story and the author himself defined it as a modern fairytale. Lyman frank baum was an american author, actor, and independent filmmaker best known as the creator.
Lyman frank baum was born on may 15, 1856, in chittenango, new york. Glinda of oz, the last oz book that baum wrote, was published in 1920. The holland oz project, which is nearing completion, starts in centennial park with a living mosaic depiction of the book cover made up. He wrote 14 novels in the oz series, plus 41 other novels, 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. Boq was likely named for edward william bok 18631930, a dutchborn editor and author who was near the peak of his popularity in 1900, when baum published the wonderful wizard of oz. Frank baums famous childrens novel the wonderful wizard of oz was first published on may 17, 1900.