26 July, 2017

The Wizard of Oz, illustrated by Michael Hague

As part of the 2017 Reading Challenge that I am engaged in, I needed to find a book that was previously banned.  So many books could fill this category.   Banned around the world, banned only in USA, banned recently, banned a long time ago?  So, I tried to think outside of the box; what book would interest me, that at one time someone else thought was too freaky?


Imagine my surprise, while searching online lists of previously banned books, to come across The Wizard Of Oz (or The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)!  I have never read the book, and have only seen the 1939 Hollywood film.  Onward to the local library.  The copy of the 1982 book that the librarian handed me was illustrated by Michael Hague, and what lovely illustrations they are!  I especially liked The Cowardly Lion, since he had flowers in his mane.  

The cover
Sleeping off the poppies
Following the yellow brick road

In the Emerald City
For a story written in 1900, it was surprisingly modern, in thought and presentation.  I stayed up late reading to the end, because of course, the book is much better than the movie!  For me, the illustrations were a big part of my reading enjoyment.  There is no rainbow, The Tin Man's story is horrifying, and Dorothy and her pals would not have gotten anywhere without the help of the Mouse Queen.  And The Cowardly Lion was very brave indeed!

Too bad there weren't any housecats in 'The Wizard Of Oz'!

I have read 16 books of the 26 in the Challenge to date.  

9 comments:

  1. That looks like fun to read those older books. We might have to try that. Have a super evening.

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  2. I've never read the Wizard of Oz either. Actually, I never knew it was a book...only a movie. ~Island Cat Mom

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  3. Mom read this when she was a kid, but totally doesn't remember the original now.

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  4. I love learning new exciting things about an old classic I thought I knew well!

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  5. That one really is kind of a dark story, the movie is much kinder.

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  6. Love those illustrations! We never read the book either but was forced to watch the movie every year.

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  7. That was a great choice. I remember reading that when I was a kid and it is much different than the film. That sounds like a fun challenge.

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