Ozma of Oz Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

You can read the entire book in electronic format by following the link on the Szkëo website. The gift illustrated edition is printed on domestic matte coated paper Omela with a bookmark of the same color as the headband.

The edition includes two stories by the famous American author Frank Baum (1856–1919): “Ozma of Oz” and “Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz,” translated by S. Yu. Afonykin. The main character of these stories is well known to readers from the book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Now Dorothy Gale from Kansas awaits new adventures, including in the underground world, as well as unexpected encounters with amazing creatures. This edition is illustrated with drawings by American artist John R. Neill, which once decorated the first publications of Baum's books.

The story of American writer Frank Baum, narrating about Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the land of Oz, became a bestseller in the late 19th century. Baum did everything possible to introduce his characters to as many young readers as possible - he worked on theatrical productions of his story, drew comics for newspapers and magazines describing new adventures of his characters. Before starting his literary career, Frank made a living selling a variety of goods in a modest shop he opened in one of the towns in Dakota. The success of the first book hinted to Baum that the golden vein he had found had to be further developed. Following the first story about the land of Oz came a second one. New characters appeared in it - Jack Pumpkinhead, the Wogglebug, the living Goats, and other characters. After the second book, a third one followed. In its pages, Dorothy found herself again in the magical land inhabited by amazing beings, and met her old good friends - the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Wizard of Oz, and many others. In the fourth book, Baum sent his main character to the underground world, where Dorothy ended up in the Glass City and met the Mangabins, invisible bears, and flying gargoyles. Baum diversified his narration, again introducing new characters - the horse Jim, his boy driver Zeb, and the kitten Eureka. You hold in your hands the translation of the third and fourth books by Baum. And this is just part of a long series of stories about Dorothy's adventures.

The first edition of Baum's story about the land of Oz was published in the USA with illustrations by William Denslow; Baum met him in 1893. He liked the drawings of this artist, who specialized in making posters and placards. In Baum's opinion, such a style with clear contour lines and large colored spots was just what was needed for a children's book. For Denslow, collaboration with Baum became the pinnacle of his career. All subsequent Baum books about Dorothy's adventures were illustrated by another artist - John R. Neill. It is these illustrations that accompany this book. Neill began his illustrating career by drawing comics for one of the Philadelphia newspapers. As in the case of Denslow, Neill's drawings for Frank Baum's stories about the magical land of Oz made this artist famous in the USA. Neill continued to illustrate books about Dorothy's adventures even after Baum's death, when new stories about the heroes from the land of Oz were written by Ruth Thompson. When she stepped away from this work, Neill came up with several more stories about the land of Oz and illustrated them himself.