*** Don't miss my giveaway where you can win your very own copy ! ***
Now, I have to admit that this had totally passed me by but a recent press release informed me that Oz is taking Hollywood by storm. Next month will see a fantastic live action Walt Disney film, Oz: The Great and Powerful, a sequel to the original story, starring James Franco and Mila Kunis. Later this year there will also be an animated movie Dorothy of Oz, with voices from Lea Michele, Dan Ackroyd and Patrick Stewart, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Wizard of Oz stage musical continues to dazzle audiences in London’s West End.
It's therefore the perfect time to introduce this great classic to your kids in book form. Carlton Books kindly sent us through their fabulous animated, pop-up, hardback book that features a magical retelling by Stella Gurney with illustrations (using photographic imagery) by Lorna Freytag.
The book is packed with interactive elements that will wow young readers. The front cover promises "tabs to pull, wheels to turn and a spectacular pop-up tornado" ! This all makes for a book that is entertaining to listen to even for very young children, despite the fact that it is quite long.
As someone who knows the original story, I thought that this version did gloss over a few elements of the plot and - I think - changed a few details, so I want to go back and reread the original version or maybe watch the original film now. Doesn't Dorothy have ruby red slippers? I'm sure I saw the originals when we visited the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC on honeymoon ! Well, in this book she has silver ones. And she didn't even click her heels together and say "There's No Place Like Home" ! It's not important but it did make me do a double take when I read those parts !
The Madhouse Mini-testers didn't mind at all though - they were far too busy spinning the wheel to make the Flying Monkeys attack the Tin Man !
The interactive elements really kept the Madhouse Mini-testers' interest up and the beautiful illustrations add to the enjoyment of the story. It's the kind of book that 3-year-old Pierre will be "reading" by himself because there is so much to look at and touch.
There's only one thing missing and that's the songs - I couldn't help it, I kept bursting into song as I read the story, much to the amusement (or should that be bemusement ?!) of the Madhouse Mini-testers !
If you like the look of the book, you'll be pleased to know that I have a giveaway running where you can win a copy. Click through on the link at the very top of this blogpost and good luck !
star rating : 5/5
RRP : £12.99
- Hardcover: 24 pages
- Publisher: Carlton Books Ltd; Pop edition (1 Feb 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1780972458
- ISBN-13: 978-1780972459
- Product Dimensions: 28.6 x 24.6 x 2 cm
Disclosure : We received a copy of the book, in order to write an honest review.
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This book looks amazing, my daughter would love it! We're huge wizard of oz fans in this house :D It looks like your kiddies enjoyed the book, hehe x
ReplyDeleteThis book looks fantastic! I would love to get it for my little boy as he loves watching the dvd. ruth@rushhourtechnology.co.uk
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