Beautiful Editions of The Wizard of Oz | A Collector’s Guide
Most Beautiful Editions of The Wizard of Oz
A Collector's Guide to The Wizard of Oz
The Magical Origins of Oz
The very first time readers tiptoed into The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, they might not have realized they were stepping into a story that would become a pillar of American children’s literature. Published in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s whimsical tale introduced readers to the yellow brick road, the Emerald City, and a band of characters so memorable that we still invite them into our imaginations over a century later.
L. Frank Baum: An Unexpected Wizard
Before he became the “Royal Historian of Oz,” Lyman Frank Baum (1856 – 1919) was a bit of a dabbler. He tried his hand at acting, raised chickens, managed a theater, and even ran a newspaper before turning to children’s books. He was known as a man brimming with playful creativity – Baum loved to entertain his own children and their friends with fantastical stories, usually conjured up on the spot. Those early homegrown tales paved the way for what would eventually become The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Supposedly, he plucked the name “Oz” from the drawers of his filing cabinet, labeled “O–Z.”
Another fascinating tidbit? Baum was married to Maud Gage, the daughter of pioneering suffragist Matilda Joslyn Gage, and he himself supported women’s rights in a time when this was quite progressive. Many readers like to think his forward-thinking views influenced the strong female characters who populate his stories.
The Publication That Sparked a Tornado of Excitement
The first edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was released by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago in May 1900. Baum was teamed up with illustrator W.W. Denslow, whose bold, color-splashed drawings added a whole new dimension of magic. Children’s literature in this period typically included moral lessons or simpler stories, so Baum’s approach – an American fairy tale filled with adventure, humor, and a plucky heroine – felt fresh and exciting.
The response was immediate. Kids and parents fell in love with Dorothy and her trio of unusual companions: the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. Early success fueled Baum’s imagination, leading him to create a string of sequels. By the time he was done, Baum had produced fourteen Oz books (twelve in his lifetime, two published posthumously), a stage musical, and laid the groundwork for countless adaptations – from silent films, to the iconic 1939 Judy Garland film, to the magical Wicked movie in 2024.
A Curious Confusion Over the Map of Oz
Though Baum had a gift for conjuring whimsical locales and lovable oddballs, he was not exactly a champion cartographer. Believe it or not, one of the biggest headaches that sprang from the Oz series involved figuring out where everything was. Over the years and across the various books, the map of Oz has undergone plenty of adjustments.
Early on, Baum offered only vague descriptions of where Munchkin Country lay compared to the Winkies or where the Gillikins settled in relation to the Quadlings. In some iterations, directions got muddled, and characters you thought lived in one part of Oz ended up somewhere else entirely in later stories. It didn’t help that the publishers, illustrators, and even Baum himself sometimes rearranged things to suit a new story’s needs. The final “official” maps of Oz wouldn’t appear until later editions and companion books tried to nail down a more reliable layout. Even today, die-hard fans debate the geography, which, let’s face it, might be part of the enduring charm – after all, Oz is a place of fantasy, and who doesn’t love a little mystery?
Baum’s Oz Titles in Order
This guide primarily focuses on different editions of The Wizard of Oz, but there is a whole series of delightful adventures to read and collect. Here they are in reading order:
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (George M. Hill Co, 1900): The original book that started it all. Dorothy Gale is swept away by a cyclone to the magical Land of Oz, where she befriends the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion while journeying to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard for help returning home.
- The Marvelous Land of Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1904): Tip, a boy living under the rule of the wicked witch Mombi, escapes with the help of Jack Pumpkinhead and discovers surprising truths about his identity and the rightful ruler of Oz. Along the way he meets up with our old friends the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman as well as new friends like Jack Pumpkinhead; Professor HM Wogglebug, TE; and the wooden Sawhorse.
- Ozma of Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1907): Dorothy is shipwrecked in the fairyland of Ev, where she joins Ozma and her friends to rescue the royal family of Ev from the clutches of the Nome King. She reunites with beloved old friends the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion, and meets new characters including the Hungry Tiger, whose appetite is never quite satisfied; Billina, the tart-tongued hen; and Tik-Tok, the mechanical clock-work man.
- Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1908): A California earthquake sends Dorothy, her kitten Eureka, her cousin Zeb, and his horse Jim on a fantastic journey through underground fairy realms. And who should they meet below the earth, but the Wizard of Oz himself.
- The Road to Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1909): Dorothy encounters peculiar characters like the Shaggy Man and Button-Bright as she travels to Oz for Princess Ozma’s grand birthday celebration.
- The Emerald City of Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1910): When Dorothy, Aunt Em, and Uncle Henry need a new home, Dorothy comes up with the perfect answer – The Emerald City of Oz. But while Dorothy and her family are being welcomed to Oz, the wicked Nome King is busily plotting to conquer Oz and have his dastardly revenge.
- The Patchwork Girl of Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1913): When Unc Nunkie is accidentally turned into a statue, it is up to Ojo the Munchkin boy and Scraps – the Patchwork Girl of Oz – to find the magical ingredients that will cure him. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Bungle the glass cat, and the Woozy join them on their quest.
- Tik-Tok of Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1914): Betsy Bobbin of Oklahoma and her mule, Hank, are swept off a ship at sea and into magical adventures where they stumble into a conflict between the Nome King and Oz, with Tik-Tok, the mechanical man, assisting them in resolving the adventure.
- The Scarecrow of Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1915): When a whirlpool pulls Trot and her peg-legged sailor friend, Cap’n Bill, into an underwater cave, they find themselves find themselves in Oz after a storm and join the Scarecrow on a mission to overthrow an unjust ruler and restore Princess Gloria to her rightful place.
- Rinkitink in Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1916): Prince Inga and the merry King Rinkitink use magical pearls and courage to rescue the prince’s kingdom from invaders, with Ozma providing aid from afar.
- The Lost Princess In Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1917): When Princess Ozma mysteriously vanishes, Dorothy and her friends embark on a search across Oz, uncovering a plot by an ambitious magician.
- The Tin Woodman of Oz (Reilly & Lee, 1918): The Tin Woodman and his friends set out to find his former love, Nimmie Amee.
- The Magic of Oz (Reilly & Lee, 1919): As Dorothy and friends prepare a birthday surprise for Ozma, a young munchkin lad named Kiki Aru and the Nome King plot to conquer Oz using forbidden magical powers.
- Glinda of Oz (Reilly & Lee, 1920): Determined to stop the fighting between the Flatheads and the Skeezers, Ozma and Dorothy set out for their homelands in the far north of Oz. No sooner do they escape the warlike leader of the Flatheads then they are imprisoned by the cruel Queen Coo-ee-oh, who has submerged her city beneath the waters of the Lake of the Skeezers.
- Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz (Newspaper column, 1904-1905): A collection of comics about the misadventures of the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Woggle-Bug, Jack Pumpkinhead, the Sawhorse, and the Gump as they travel around the US. Written to promote The Marvelous Land of Oz, later republished with The Woggle-Bug Book as The Visitors from Oz and The Third Book of Oz.
- The Woggle-Bug Book (Reilly & Britton, 1905): Further adventures of the Woggle-Bug traveling around the US after he is separated from his friends.
- Little Wizard Stories of Oz (Reilly & Britton, 1913): A collection of six short fairy tales about Oz characters, written to help relaunch the series in 1913.
- The Wizard of Oz Waddle Book (Blue Ribbon Books, 1934): A novelty edition of the original text of the classic story with six punch-out characters that waddle down a punch-out yellow-brick-road ramp when assembled.
The “Famous Forty” Canonical Oz Texts
Following Baum’s death in 1919, his Oz publisher Reilly & Lee appointed Ruth Plumly Thompson as the new “Royal Historian” to continue the series with 19 more books (she was popular at the time for a humorous series of children’s books collected in The Wizard of Way-Up). This was followed by seven more books by John R. Neill (also the illustrator of most of the Oz books, 3 titles), Jack Snow (a noted Oz scholar, who first offered to write more Oz books when Baum died and he was only twelve, 2 titles), Rachel R. C. Payes (1 title – she also wrote a second book, but it was rejected by the Oz publisher and later sold to another publisher) and the final official book by Eloise Jarvis McGraw and her daughter Lauren Lynn published in 1962.
- The Royal Book of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1921) – originally (and inaccurately) published under Baum’s name.
- Kabumpo in Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1922)
- The Cowardly Lion of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1923)
- Grampa in Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1924)
- The Lost King of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1925)
- The Hungry Tiger of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1926)
- The Gnome King of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1927)
- The Giant Horse of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1928)
- Jack Pumpkinhead of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1929)
- The Yellow Knight of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1930)
- Pirates in Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1931)
- The Purple Prince of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1932)
- Ojo in Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1933)
- Speedy in Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1934)
- The Wishing Horse of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1935)
- Captain Salt in Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1936)
- Handy Mandy in Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1937)
- The Silver Princess in Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1938)
- Ozoplaining with the Wizard of Oz – Ruth Plumly Thompson (1939)
- The Wonder City of Oz – John R. Neill (1940)
- The Scalawagons of Oz – John R. Neill (1941)
- Lucky Bucky in Oz – John R. Neill (1942)
- The Magical Mimics in Oz – Jack Snow (1946)
- The Shaggy Man of Oz – Jack Snow (1949)
- The Hidden Valley of Oz – Dirk Gringhuis (1951)
- Merry Go Round in Oz – Eloise Jarvis McGraw & Lauren Lynn McGraw (1963)
Original Illustrators
The very first Oz book was illustrated by W. W. Denslow, who showed us the classic image of a chubby young Dorothy with long brown braids. But Denslow and Baum fell out over a royalties argument for the 1902 stage adaptation, and almost all subsequent volumes were illustrated by John R. Neill (including some he wrote himself), with Dorothy presenting as a more modern, slightly older girl with a blonde bob.
Along the Yellow Brick Road: Final Thoughts
Baum gifted each of Dorothy’s companions with distinct personalities and touching backstories. There’s a certain grown-up cleverness to these friends. The Scarecrow’s longing for intellect, though he’s often the most inventive problem-solver, can be read as a gentle commentary on self-confidence. The Tin Woodman’s sentimental nature winks at the idea that a caring heart often matters more than brute strength, and the Lion’s pursuit of courage teaches that true bravery lies in facing your fears.
In the end, the history of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is as delightfully tangled as the Emerald City’s winding roads. It sprang from the mind of a chicken-farmer-turned-storyteller, enchanted audiences with its dazzling colors and unforgettable characters, and has inspired countless spin-offs and debates. More than a century later, Oz continues to captivate dreamers of all ages as we figure out how to get beyond the moon and over the rainbow.
Which edition of The Wizard of Oz should I buy?
There are many editions of this book available, so this collector’s guide focuses just on the most beautiful editions or those that are particularly noteworthy to help you choose a volume for your own library. All of the editions in this list are beautiful, but in case you’d like a bit more direction, my personal top picks are marked with a ★.
The ‘best’ edition of The Wizard of Oz depends on your personal preference, but if you want a quick tl;dr then I’d recommend the following:
- Best affordable edition: The Barnes & Noble Children’s Classics edition is bound in pretty bonded leather and has all the classics illustrations.
- Best standard edition: The MinaLima interactive edition is stunningly illustrated throughout as well as having fun interactive features.
- Best adapted edition: Robert Sabuda’s Pop-Up Wizard of Oz is simply incredible, one of my favorite pop-up books ever.
- Best expensive edition: I rather like the Folio Society edition illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, but it’s currently out of print so you may have to pay a premium. Or you might want to take a look at the complete facsimile collection of all the books in a matching set – then you can enjoy reading about Oz for days.
- Money is no object, I want top shelf: If you can find one of the glorious Lyra’s Books editions, I would say this is the most luxurious of all.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links for which I may be compensated (this does not affect my reviews nor cost you any money, but helps support my site hosting costs). I deeply appreciate your support of my site if you use these links, but warmly encourage you to buy from your local Indie bookshop if you have the opportunity.
Contemporary Editions
The Wizard of Oz - Penguin Classics
Penguin Classics (2025). 9780143138686.
An annotated omnibus edition that three of Baum’s Oz novels: The Wizard of Oz; The Emerald City of Oz; and Glinda of Oz. It also includes a selection of original illustrations by W. W. Denslow and John R. Neill, colored endpapers, and a detailed stenciled page edge design.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Lyra's Books
Lyra’s Books (2024).
llustrated by Gregory Manchess.
A stunning fine press edition illustrated with 22 stunning oil paintings and an afterword by award-winning artist, Gregory Manchess. All copies are signed by the artist. The book comes in two states – the Numbered editions are printed with a combination of letterpress and litho, and the Lettered edition is printed with letterpress and giclee. The text is printed letterpress by Hand and Eye in two colours throughout, using photopolymer plates.
The colour images of both editions are printed by Hurtwood directly to the page and sewn into the structure of the bindings rather than being tipped into or onto the pages, except for the four double page spreads which are tipped onto tabs, allowing the pages to fold out without any sewing through the centre.
➤ OOP. Find it at Lyra’s Books | Abes | eBay
The Wizard of Oz - Arcturus Children's Classics
Arcturus (2024). 9781398841420.
llustrated by Victor Tavares.
Page edges are stenciled with the yellow brick road, decorative endpapers, and brightly colored illustrations by Victor Tavares.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
☞ See the Arcturus Deluxe page for more in this series.
★ The Wizard of Oz - Chiltern Classics
Chiltern Classics (2024). 9781914602467.
Pocket-sized format with detailed textured cover design, creamy pages, and a sturdy stitched binding. It includes the original color illustrations by WW Denslow, and is a great small format version for travelling with.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Chiltern Classics page for more in this series.
The Wizard of Oz - Dover Bookshelf
Dover (2024). 9780486854052.
An affordable keepsake edition with the original text and a selection of black-line elements from the original illustrations by WW Denslow. I think there are prettier editions out there, but this one is nicely bound and certainly servicable.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wizard of Oz - Paolo Barbieri
LLewellyn (2024). 9780738777849.
An abridged storybook edition, reimagined with a gorgeous steampunk vibe by award-winning artist Paolo Barbieri.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wizard of Oz - Charles Santore
Applesauce Press (2023). 9781646433964.
llustrated by Charles Santore.
Also released in a standard (non-leatherbound) edition, Applesauce Press (2015). 9781604335422.
A leather-bound collector’s edition with foiled cover, ribbon marker, and gloriously lush illustrations by Charles Santore. An abridged child-friendly retelling.
➤ Find leatherbound edition (2023) at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
➤ Find standard edition (2015) at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wizard of Oz - Robert Ingpen
Welbeck (2021), 9781913519650 | Welbeck, (2019), 9781786750914 | Templar (2011), 9781848775282 | Sterling (2011), 9781402775468.
Illustrated by Robert Ingpen.
Beautifully illustrated unabridged text with over 70 gorgeous artworks by Robert Ingpen, including two-page spreads.
Be careful, as there are also some shorter abridged editions out there that have been rewritten for children by Gemma Farr and have similar cover art.
➤ Find it at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Robert Ingpen Illustrated Classics page for more in this series (coming soon).
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Painted Classics
Harper Muse (2022). 9781401603908.
Wraparound artwork painted by artist Laci Fowler on glossy, sculptured boards, with an interior treatment that includes full page decorative pull quotes. The books also come with a matching ribbon marker and gold sprayed page edges.
➤ Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Harper Muse Painted Classics article for more in this series.
★ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - MinaLima Interactive Classics
Harper (2021). 9780063055735.
llustrated by MinaLima (aka Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima).
Profulsely illustrated throughout, with interactive features that include a cyclone map that opens up to reveal the Land of Oz; a pop-up Yellow Brick Road; removable green Oz glasses; fighting trees with branches that move; and Dorothy’s silver shoes that can be clicked together.
➤ Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the MinaLima Interactive Classics article for more in this series.
The Wizard of Oz - Puffin Clothbound Classics
Puffin Classics (2019). 9780241411209. Illustrated by David McKee.
A sparkly clothbound edition of the original text, with black & white line drawings throughout by David McKee.
➤ Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Puffin Clothbound Classics article for more in this series.
The Wizard of Oz - Miles Kelly Illustrated Classic
Miles Kelly (2017). 9781786171887.
Illustrated by Amerigo Pinelli, text adapted by Vic Parker.
Includes a foiled dust jacket, ribbon marker, and colour illustrations throughout.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
The Wizard of Oz - Canterbury Classics/Bath Treasuries
Canterbury Classics, 9781684120352 (US) / Bath Treasury, 9781786901095 (UK). 2017.
Medium format clothbound edition with color stained page edges, which includes both original illustrations by WW Denslow in b&w, alongside more contemporary color artwork by Cherie Zamazing.
➤ Find US edition (Canterbury) at Amazon | Abes | eBay
➤ Find UK edition (Bath) at Amazon | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Canterbury Clothbound Classics page for more in this series.
The Wizard of Oz: B&N Children's Classics
Barnes & Noble (2015). 9781435147614.
Illustrated by W. W. Denslow.
Bound in decorative blue bonded leather with red foiling, a satin bookmark, gilt-edged pages, pictorial endpapers, and the original illustrations by Denslow. The pretty cover art is by Kate Forrester, design by Jo Obarowski.
➤ Buy from B&N | Amazon | Abes | Waterstones
☞ See the Barnes & Noble Collectible Classics page for more in this series.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz & The Marvelous Land of Oz - Manga-style
Seven Seas (2016), 9781626922631. Illustrated by Kriss Sison.
This illustrated edition has the text of the first two books along with several full-page manga-style color art inserts and 100 black and white illustrations within the text.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Classics Reimagined
HB: Rockport Publishing (2014). 9781592538997 | SB: Rockport Publishing (2018) 9781631595653.
Illustrated by Olimpia Zagnoli.
Olimpia’s modern illustration style makes use of only black, white, gold and emerald green for the illustrations, and much is conveyed through the use of simple shapes and repeated patterns.
★ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Michael Sieben
Harper Design (2013). 9780062018083.
Illustrated by Michael C. Sieben.
Unabridged text with padded cover, ribbon bookmark and 60 color illustrations.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Usborne Illustrated
HB: Usborne Publishing (2014) 9781409566861 | SB: Usborne Publishing (2021) 9780794547004.
Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez.
Profusely illustrated unabridged text. Hardback has a padded cover and ribbon bookmark. Softcover has gold foil accents on the cover. Lovely for kids but unfortunately out of print.
The Wizard of Oz - Penguin Threads
Penguin Deluxe Classics (2012). 9780143106630.
Cover art by Rachell Sumpter, introduction and notes by Jack Zipes.
Contains the first three Oz books, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Emerald City of Oz and Glinda of Oz. Although the text is unillustrated, buy this one for the delightful cover design, which texturally reproduces an hand-stitched artwork with sculpt embossing (complete with the back of the stitching shown on the inside covers), and French flaps.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Penguin Deluxe Classics page for more in this series.
★ The Annotated Wizard of Oz - Patrick Hearn
WW Norton & Co (2000). 9780393049923.
A beautifully illustrated annotation of The Wizard of Oz, complete with an exact reproduction of the original 1900 edition – released in celebration of the 100th anniversary. Annotations are provided by Michael Patrick Hearn, the world’s leading Oz scholar.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Annotated Editions page for more in this series (coming soon).
Vintage Editions
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Bachelier
CRM Gallery (2014).
Illustrated by Anne Bachelier
French artist Anne Bachelier brings Oz to life in 30 elegant and enchanting watercolor and mixed-media paintings.
➤ Buy from Books of Wonder | Abes | eBay
The Wizard of Oz - Rawle
Atlantic Books (2008), 9781843546597 (UK) | Counterpoint Press (2008), 9781582434551 (US).
Illustrated by Grahame Rawle.
Rawle’s humorous interpretation is collage-based, incorporating mixed media and typography into his illustration. This edition was awarded ‘Book of the Year’ in 2009 by the British Book Design and Production Awards..
The Kansas Centennial Edition of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz - McCurdy
Michael McCurdy (1999), 9780700611515.
Illustrated by Michael McCurdy, introduction by Ray Bradbury
Kansas Centennial Edition, with 25 scratchboard drawings commissioned by Michael McCurdy for their 1999 book, th, with a foreword by Ray Bradbury.
A special suite of scanned drawings was also made available in nine boxed sets, hand colored, signed and numbered by the artist.
The Wizard of Oz - Ambrus
Oxford University Press (1999), 9780192741875.
Illustrated by Victor G. Ambrus, retold by James Riordan
An abridged retelling, illustrated throughout with simultaneously dense yet delicate line and color drawings by Hungarian-born British illustrator Victor Ambrus, alternating on every page.
★ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Zwerger
North South Books (1996), 9780735840423.
Illustrated by Lizbeth Zwerger
Charming and whimsical illustrations by German illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger, and it also includes a pair of green glasses to wear on certain pages.
A signed, clothbound and slipcased edition limited to 500 copies was also released in 1996.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Everyman's Library of Children's Classics
Everyman’s Library (1992), 9781857159035.
Clothbound with elegantly stamped goiled titles, and designed to withstand time and handling. With the original color illustrations by W. W. Denslow.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Everyman’s Library page for more in this series (coming soon).
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Barry Moser
Pennyroyal Press/University of California Press (1986), 9780520058224.
Illustrated by Barry Moser
An oversized volume with amazing b&w politically oriented woodcuts illustrations by Barry Moser.
A clothbound and slipcased limited edition of 350 copies signed by Barry Moser was also released in 1986.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Hildebrandt
Unicorn Publishing House, 1985. 9780881010183.
. Reprinted in 2008 by Running Press. (Nb, the 2003 Running Press edition is abridged.)
Illustrated by Gred Hildebrandt.
Clothbound with elegantly stamped foiled gold titles. Illustrated with glorious oainings by Greg Hildebrandt..
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Michael Hague
Henry Holt & Co (1982). 9780030616617. Reprinted in a 100th anniversary edition Henry Holt & Co (2000), 9780805064308.
Clothbound with elegantly stamped goiled titles, and designed to withstand time and handling. With the original color illustrations by W. W. Denslow.
There was also a signed limited clothbound edition released in 1983 (9780030624261, 500 copies) and a 1982 leatherbound Easton Press edition.
★ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Splendour Books
Grosset & Dunlap, 1957 (US) | W H Allen, 1958 (UK). Illustrated by Libico Maraja.
Somewhat abridged story, with beautiful illustrations on every page by Maraja, one of the most influential post-war Italian illustrators. Part of the Splendour Books series.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Junior Deluxe Editions
Nelson Doubleday, 1955.
Illustrated by Leonard Weisgard.
Includes a color frontispiece and a couple of black & white line drawings per chapter by Leonard Weisgard. The books in this series are very fun and usually quite cheap to find. It’s less common to find one with a dustjacket, but if you do this one is quite colorful and is illustrated by Dick Umnitz.
➤ OOP. Check availability at Amazon | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Collecting Junior Deluxe Editions page for more in this series (coming soon).
Pop-Ups, Picture Books and Other Adaptations
The Story of Oz: Wicked Replica Pop-Up Books
Insight Editions, 2024. 9798886638127.
A replica of the Ozian book from Wicked. The Wizard’s arrival in Oz is presented as an illustrated poem told over ten spreads with three large, fantabulous pop-up spreads.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wizard of Oz - Robert Ingpen
Welbeck (2022). 9781803380322.
llustrated by Robert Ingpen. Text adapted by Gemma Farr.
Simplified text for young readers with dreamy illustrations by Robert Ingpen.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wizard of Oz - Julia Sarda
HB 9781408359549 2019
PBOrchard Books (2021). 9781408359556.
llustrated by Júlia Sardà.
Simplified text for young readers with gorgeous illustrations by Júlia Sardà.
➤ Find hardback edition at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
➤ Find softback at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
The Wonderful Wizard of Wizard of Oz - BabyLit Storybook
Gibbs Smith (2019). 9781423651444.
llustrated by Mike Byrne. Text adapted by Stephanie Clarkson.
Easy-to-follow, engaging text combined with original quotes and beautiful artwork designed to help build reading comprehension.
➤ Find it at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
The Wonderful Wizard of Wizard of Oz - Graphic Novel
HB: Marvel Comics (2009), 9780785129219 | SB: Marvel Comics (2011), 9780785129226. Illustrated by Skottie Young, retold by Eric Shanower.
Also available is an omnibus of all the Oz graphic novels: Marvel Comics (2014), 9780785187837.
A comic-style graphic novel adaptation, with gorgeous artwork by Skottie Young (best known for their popular I Hate Fairyland series).
The Wonderful Wizard of Wizard of Oz - BabyLit Colors
Gibbs Smith (2014). 9781423637189.
llustrated by Alison Oliver. Text adapted by Jennifer Adams .
Simplified text for young readers with illustrations by Robert Ingpen.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
The Wizard of Oz - Masterpiece Series
Large format: White Star, (2014) 9788854408753 | Small format: White Star Kids (2019). 9788854415591.
llustrated by Manuela Adreani. Text adapted by Giada Francia.
Simplified text for young readers with beautiful illustrations by Manuela Adreani.
➤ Find small format edition at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
★ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Pop-Up Book - Robert Sabuda
Little Simon, 2000. 9780689817519 (US) | Simon & Schuster, 2001. 9780689834981 (UK).
An utterly stunning pop-up edition, complete with mini-pop booklets alongside magnificent double page spreads, wearable green glasses, and a spinning balloon. You won’t regret buying this one!
➤ Find US edition at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
➤ Find UK edition at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Sets and Omnibus Editions
★ 15 Oz Books
Books of Wonder Set
All 14 Oz books plus Stories of Oz, each with the original illustrations and facsimile cover. (This really is a lovely set from a fantastic independent bookshop, and they give a heavy discount if you’re buying the complete set.)
➤ Find it at Books of Wonder
The Wizard of Oz: The First Five Novels - Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble (2015). 9781435156227.
Illustrated by W. W. Denslow and John R. Neill.
Bound in decorative yellow leather with sparkly foiled green sprayed page edges, this volume includes The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, and The Road to Oz.
*There is a newer B&N edition (2020, 9781435171336), but it’s also out of print, and frankly isn’t nearly as pretty.
➤ OOP. Check availability at Amazon | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Barnes & Noble Collectible Classics page for more in this series.
The Emerald City of Oz: Novels Six Through Ten - Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble (2016). 9781435162686.
Illustrated by W. W. Denslow and John R. Neill.
Bound in decorative green leather with sparkly foiled silver sprayed page edges, this volume includes The Emerald City of Oz, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, Tik-Tok of Oz, The Scarecrow of Oz, and Rinkitink in Oz.
➤ OOP. Check availability at Amazon | Abes | eBay
☞ See the Barnes & Noble Collectible Classics page for more in this series.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Collection - Easton Press
Easton Press, 2022.
(Previously released 1989*)
Leatherbound copies of the first 5 novels (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz • The Marvelous Land of Oz • Ozma of Oz • Dorothy & the Wizard of Oz • The Road to OZ • The Emerald City of Oz), with gold accented cover designs, hubbed spines, ribbon marker, and the original illustrations. 7″ x 9 1/4″.
(*1989 covers featured embossed leather with only the title and author in gold).
The Complete Collection Wizard of Oz Series - Paperbacks
Classic Editions (2023), 9781804450918.
15 Oz books (all the main books plus The Royal Book of Oz) in a prettily bound set of omnibus paperbacks that looks very fun on the shelf. However, be warned that this set has no illustrations.
The Complete Collection Wizard of Oz Series - Hardbacks
Aladdin (2013), 9781442489035.
15 Oz books (all the main titles plus The Royal Book of Oz) in a prettily bound set of omnibus hardbacks with pretty decorative spines and lovely colorful covers. However, be warned that this set has no illustrations, so if you’re looking for kids I’d recommend one of the other sets.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
International Editions
I’m including a couple of beautiful international editions here for collectors, as they are particularly notable for their illustrations. Several of the interal images are courtesy of @semperluxus.
Le Magicien d'Oz [French]
Albin Michel (2018), 9782226436115.
Illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe, translated and adapted by Sébastien Perez.
French illustrator Benjamin Lacombe’s illustrations are whimsical, dreamlike and almost melancholic. He plays with scale and points of view, as well as an iridescent green pantone glow.
Oz [Bilingual Italian and English]
Logos (2016), 9788857608655.
Illustrated by Stefano Bessoni.
The eerie illustrations by Italian illustrator Stefano Bessoni lean towards the gothic and macabre, reflecting his background in stop motion animation. This one is a niche favorite for fans of dark fairy tales, it’s not for children!
Related Books of Interest
The Art of Oz - Gabriel Gale
Universe (2021), 9780789341013 | Rizzoli (2025), 9780789345967.
Illustrated by Gabriel Gale.
Gabriel Gale has mapped Oz and animated all the creatures he found there. The book includes sketches of the Emerald City and other buildings and habitats of the enchanted Land. These vivid and detailed renderings are also accompanied by excerpts and drawings from the original books in the Oz series.
➤ Find 2025 edition at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Wizard of Oz: The Official Cookbook - Elena P. Craig
Insight Editions, 2024. 9798886635195.
Over 70 very pretty recipes inspired by the story, with full-color photos of all the finished dishes, and easy-to-follow instructions for any skill level.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companion
HarperCollins, 2013. 9780062278012.
Officially licensed with Warner Bros., this collectible edition features accessible text, photos of a host of never-before-seen ephemera, and nine removable facsimiles in an envelope at the back of the book.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
