Ozma of Oz
By L Frank Baum  

     This is the third of L Frank Baum’s enchanting Oz series to be reprinted by Ibooks (the other two have also been reviewed on this site) and allows a new generation to sample the magic that is the world of Oz. In what is now an Ibooks tradition, here is a handsome volume with many of the original illustrations, plus a couple of new ones by William Stout. There are also two essays: one by cartoonist Gahan Wilson telling of his own youthful introduction to the series and another by the author’s great-granddaughter Gita Dorothy Morena describing the messages in the books on how to live your life well.

     Dorothy Gale is on board a ship bound for Australia to visit relations when the book opens, but she is soon in the Land of Ev with an important mission to complete before she can return home. Back again are the Scarecrow (surely the inspiration for Data in Star Trek) and the Tin Woodman, as well as Queen Ozma and several new characters including TikTok the robot and Billina the talking hen.

     Reviewing any classic seems to be a little pointless – in a sense I can only truly review this edition and say that I find it handsome, informative and like the way it flops open for easy reading. I confess that the essays weren’t quite as interesting as some of the ones in the earlier two books but anybody who has these will now know all about Baum’s colorful life and some of the recurring motifs and meanings behind the characters.

As with the other two it would make a wonderful present for any adult who loves Oz, but many children would probably prefer it without the essays and with colored pictures. So buy a cheap robust copy for your offspring. This quality product is destined for the keeper shelf. Great stuff!