L. Frank Baum.
The first book read to me, Ozma of Oz, is 3rd in the series of fourteen full-length novels. Yes, that's correct. Author L. Frank Baum wrote more than a dozen tomes about the enchanted land and its intrepid explorer Dorothy.
To be fair, Dorothy of Kansas is NOT in all fourteen. She is, however, in significantly more than the original "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," which kicked off the canon in 1899-1900.
TWWOO is the ONLY book to be adapted to screen. If you don't know to what I refer, please turn in your Movie "Sleeper" Gems card immediately.
As a child (still ongoing) my mother read Ozma of Oz to me. She read it over a period of months, when I was between the ages of three and four. By the time I left for kindergarten at the ripe old age of five, I could read it myself, which meant I could read in the classroom and before I got to the first grade. Don't remember if it came in handy, but it made me a novelty item.
The books.
When my parents moved from the proverbial childhood home of Stratford, New Jersey in 1995, I became the owner of five first or second editions of five of the books. A gift from my mother. Over the next fifteen years, I collected the other nine. And I found them in book stores, library sales, flea markets, and book fairs. My charter was simple. No auctions. No internet sales (When that became a thing). No purchases save for an early printing.
They sit on a bookshelf in my New York City apartment.
I await the next film adaptation of any of them. If I had to choose?
The Land of Oz - Second in the series and does not involve Dorothy. There is an Army of Girls, so all the virtue signalers on MSG will have a rooting interest. BONUS: There is a gender fluid character! Oh, that Frank Baum. Such a scamp.
The Lost Princess of Oz - She's been kidnapped! And Dorothy is back along with the Wizard to find her.
Ozma of Oz - In honor of Mom.
Cinematically, L Frank Baum's work, all fourteen, could be adapted to film. They are filled with characters, involve quests, and resolve to happiness.
Wonder if anyone has ever tempted the estate with more than the original work?
Anyone know?
Anyone awake?
NOTE: The Royal Book of Oz was published posthumously by L. Frank Baum's widow. The book would be 15th in the canon (see photo), but as it was written by Ruth Plumly Thompson from Frank Baum's notes, it is not considered an original work by the author.
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