The Wizard of Oz Blog Tour

Literary scholar Michael Patrick Hearn dropped by to celebrate The Wizard of Oz: The Classic Edition with me. We chatted about Charles Santore's illustrations, L. Frank Baum, and reading. I wrote the words in green, and he wrote the words in black. Thank you, Michael! 

I think The Wizard of Oz, Moby Dick and Adventures of Huckleberry Fin represent the three great quests in American literature. 

Charles Santore’s illustrations capture both the depth and breadth of all the adventure, magic and humor of L. Frank Baum's Great American Fairy Tale. 

Did you know L. Frank Baum was a poultry breeder, an actor and playwright, an axle grease manufacturer, owner and proprietor of a country store, small town newspaper editor, crockery salesman, publisher of a magazine for window trimmers, president of his own Hollywood movie studio as well as one of the great children's book writers? 

I read The Wizard of Oz for the first time after I had already read several of the other Oz Books.

When I was in elementary school, there was nothing else I enjoyed more than curling up with a good Oz Book.

Reading is the soul of all knowledge.

Mr. Schu, you should have asked me, "Why Oz?"  Ah, but that cannot be answered in one sentence!

I am giving away one copy of The Wizard of Oz: The Classic Edition. 

Rules for the Giveaway 

1. It will run from 5/20 to 11:59 PM on 5/21. 

2. You must be at least 13. 

3. If you win, please pay it forward.