The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Although this is an image of a print version of the book, I am reviewing the audiobook. 

Author: L. Frank Baum

Reader: Jim Weiss

Producer: Books on Tape

Production Year: 2002

Most of the listeners will be: 3rd through 5th grade girls.

Listener's Advisory: For a modern twist on wondering through a fantasy world, listen to Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. 

Summary:

Dorothy and her dog Toto haven't quite made it to the storm cellar when a tornado picks up their Kansas home and floats them away to Oz. Dorothy is hailed as a hero by the local people, Munchkins, because her house has landed on, and killed, the Wicked Witch of the East, freeing them from bondage. The only thing Dorothy really wants is to go home, and since the country of Oz is surrounded by a desert on all sides this seems practically impossible. The Good Witch of the North, a friend of the Munchkins, advises Dorothy to ask the Wizard for help. Dorothy begins walking to the Emerald City wearing the Wicked Witch's magical silver shoes and a protective kiss on her forehead from the Good Witch. Along the way she meets companions who also wish to seek favors from the Wizard. They have many adventures on their way to the Emerald City, and beyond. 

My favorite passage:

On their way to the Emerald City, Dorothy and Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion pass through a forest that is inhabited by a particularly nasty kind of beast (whose name I won't try to spell, since I have only heard it - not seen it). They come to a fissure in the ground and wonder how to cross before they are caught by the beasts. The Scarecrow comes up with the plan that the Woodman can cut down a large tree for them to walk across, which the Woodman does. As they cross, two beasts show up and the Lion roars at them to try and hold them back. But, as the beasts continue to approach, Dorothy's friends hurry across the tree and the Scarecrow instructs the Woodman to cut through it, destroying the bridge before the beasts get them. 

What I really think:

Dorothy isn't much of a heroine. Most of the story seems to be descriptions of the outlandish places that make up the country of Oz and the character development of her companions. Dorothy does very little for herself and her biggest victories are accidental. Her house happens to land on one wicked witch and she pours water on the other without knowing the effect it will have. Nevertheless the story is entertaining, and perhaps Dorothy is just a device to hold the rest together. 

Jim Weiss did a nice job of differentiating the voices. I especially liked the king of the flying monkeys. I did find his cadence to be a little unnatural. More like reading (which it was) than talking. And all the characters spoke with a similar cadence, even though their voices sounded different. 

I had never read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz before, only seen the movie. The book is even better. I enjoyed hearing the backstory of the Scarecrow, the Woodman and the Winged Monkeys. I also got to visit new corners of the country of Oz. Perhaps the biggest endorsement, however, is that my daughter (who is 3) listened to the whole thing and continues to talk about it.