Now in a FULL COLOR PAPERBACK edition, THE POETRY BOOK OF OZ is a beautifully designed collection of classic art and Ozian poetry celebrating the 125th Anniversary of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz novel by L. Frank Baum. Rhymes are compiled from the pages of the 14 original Wizard of Oz novels, with additional verses by Emerald City artist & retired green whiskered soldier, Tynker Smyth. Complimenting the enchanting words are over 40 illustrations based on the vintage works of John R. Neill and WW Denslow which have been meticulously reassembled and re-imagined in FULL COLOR. At Ozia Arts we feel rhymes and poetry are a child’s doorway to the magic of reading. Rhyming with words not only act as a form of amusing, verbal entertainment but also as an educational, language puzzle that can stimulate a child’s insight and comprehension. What better way to introduce the young mind in your family to words of imagination with the charming fantasy characters from the World of Oz! For Oziana collectors! Also available on Amazon is a 8.5x11, 100 page full color 125th Anniversary HARDCOVER edition : ) The Poetry Book of Oz is not only a reader to enjoy with your children, it’s sweet vintage design is a beautiful addition to the literary canon of the Baum & Thompson "First 40" treasure of Oz novels. And the 5 Star reviews keep rolling in! “These magic poems from Oz will warm the coldest of hearts” -- Nick Chopper "All my Wizard of Oz friends are featured. Brings back so many childhood memories!”-- Princess Dorothy Gale “One of my favorite Oz books (second only to the Great Book of course!)” -- Glinda the Good "Genius! Frank and Tynker are wizards with words!“-- Oscar Diggs “The Poetry Book of Oz has a permanent place of honor in my college library.”-- Professor H.M. Wogglebug, T.E. "I didn't expect a poetry book to be this charming, but this one totally won me over. It's playful, clever, and genuinely beautiful-every page feels like a little dose of magic." "There's a rhythm and warmth to the writing that brings back that cozy feeling of being read to as a kid-curled up, totally transported somewhere else." "I gave this Wizard of OZ children's book of poetry to a friend who has a 2 year old, they like to do a "cuddle read" and she says her daughter loves the rhymes and that the picture are so imaginative they keep her attention." AND ALL THE WAY FROM OZ: "These magic poems from Oz will warm the coldest of hearts" -- Nick Chopper "All my Wizard of Oz friends are featured. Brings back so many childhood memories!"-- Princess Dorothy Gale "Genius! Frank and Tynker are wizards with words!"-- Oscar Diggs Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919) was an American author, playwright, and visionary best remembered for creating The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), one of the most beloved children's books in history. Born in Chittenango, New York, Baum grew up with a love of storytelling, the theater, and printing. His early career was eclectic-he ran newspapers, bred fancy poultry, managed theaters, and wrote plays-before turning fully to children's literature. With The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, illustrated by W.W. Denslow, Baum introduced Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, characters who quickly became fixtures in American culture. The book's success led to a Broadway adaptation and the foundation of what would become a vast Oz series.Baum went on to write thirteen more Oz books, as well as dozens of other children's fantasies under his own name and pseudonyms, including works such as The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus and Queen Zixi of Ix. Known for his imagination, optimism, and belief that children deserved stories filled with wonder rather than strict moral lessons, Baum helped shape modern American fairy tales. Though he faced financial troubles and periods of poor health, he remained committed to creating worlds of magic and joy until his death in 1919. Today, Baum is remembered not only as the "Royal Historian of Oz" but also as a pioneer of imaginative literature whose creations continue to inspire readers, artists, and dreamers worldwide. John Rea Neill (1877-1943) was an American illustrator best known as the primary visual interpreter of L. Frank Baum's Oz series and its many sequels. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Neill showed early artistic promise and trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. By the turn of the 20th century, he was contributing illustrations to popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post and Ladies' Home Journal, where his elegant pen-and-ink line work gained recognition.Neill entered Oz history in 1904, when he was chosen to illustrate The Marvelous Land of Oz, Baum's sequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. His crisp, flowing line drawings, filled with fantastical detail, soon defined the look of Oz for generations of readers. William Wallace Denslow (1856-1915) was an American illustrator, caricaturist, and children's book author be