literature

I collect children's books that are "special" and added this book to my collection as one of my favorites! The experience of looking through the pop-ups can only be described as a "magical experience". The illustrations are done in a nostalgic format with vivid colors. The first page really grabbed me...when you open it up a tornato rises up in a whirling motion and goes completely off of the page. There is fine detail (look under the house in "Munchkinland" and you will actually see the wicked witches feet underneath). Emerald City pops up and actually glitters before your eyes (you would swear it was really made of emeralds)! Oz's hot air balloon rises out of one page and spins in suspension. This is more of a collector book and I would not recommend putting it in the hands of a young child to do with as he/she pleases! It is just too beautiful! But, you would definately have fun viewing/reading the book to a young child...and a child of seven or eight would probably be old enough to care for it! There are also several small pop-ups within the sections you open up and read that are quite charming! There is quite alot of story to read within small sections of the pages, or within flaps that open up. But; if you are a collector of "Oz" memorabilia, or love creative pop-up books... this book would be a great addition to your family!

I have admired Robert Sabuda for a long time, but he has truly outdone himself in this wonderful pop-up tribute to one of children's literature's classics. There is plenty of text here (which can sometimes be a failing of pop-up books), presented within miniature booklets on each page, and these mini-books have pop-ups themselves, which may be less ambitious than the seven centerpiece artworks, but are quite beautiful and clever in their own right. The text matches Baum's book rather than the movie, so you will find that the witch uses a magic cap to summon the Winged Monkeys, and Dorothy inherit's the Wicked Witch's silver shoes rather than ruby slippers.

There are no pull-tabs and nothing for you to do other than enjoy Sabuda's artistry as a cyclone ascends over the Kansas prairie, the Munchkins approach Dorothy's house in Munchkinland, a field of red poppies appears to put some of the travellers to sleep, the Emerald City (complete with green spectacles!) rises from the page, the Wicked Witch's castle emerges, Oz's balloon takes off and Glinda greets the adventurers in the country of the long-necked Quadlings.

This would be a fabulous introduction to the story for older youngsters or a fine collectible. Really beautiful.

Robert Sabuda is one of my favorite illustrators and certainly the most renowned pop-up book artist and paper engineer working today. Combine Sabuda's entrancing three dimensional illustrations with Frank Baum's glorious story about Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Toto and their amazing adventures in the Land of Oz and you have pure magic!

The pop-up illustrations are quite intricate, with artwork that's faithful to W. W. Denslow's original illustrations. Sabuda works in a fresh, new style here using prints made from cut linoleum blocks. He brings the drawings to life in a way that will enchant children and adults alike. Each page contains a large pop-up and a small booklet which tells part of the story. And each mini-book contains small pop-ups too. There's a cyclone that really twists, a wizard's balloon that sails into the sky, holographic foil creates a true, sparkling Emerald City made even greener with the included green glasses for the reader

The text is slightly abridged so I would suggest that true "Wizard of Oz" fans include an unabridged copy in their library. I recently bought a copy for my cousin's little girl. She calls it her "magic book" and can't seem to put it down. This very special edition, published to commemorate the book's 100th Anniversary, is well worth the price and will surely find a place of honor on your bookshelf. It is spectacular!
JANA