The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum by Kathleen Krull
Bibliography:
Krull, K. The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum. Alfred A. Knopf. (2008).
Summary:
In this pleasantly accessible biography, young readers are introduced to L. Frank Baum, future creator of the legendary children's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Though raised in the lap of luxury, Baum was a hard worker and risk-taker, spending much of his life looking for his big break, whether in the business world, acting world, or writing. Gifted with good humor, imagination, and persistence, Baum never lost hope that he would indeed find his one true calling. After multiple monetary troubles and business failings, and at the urging of his mother-in-law, Baum finally decides to put down on paper the stories he so easily and giftedly spun for his children at bedtime. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was born out of these childlike stories and propelled Baum into instant fame and fortune. He would continue writing a series based on the lives of the people of Oz, and was constantly motivated by the desire to entertain children with stories of imagination and wonder. The book leaves the reader observing Baum at his best- storytelling in the garden- but allows the reader a further look at the remainder of his life in a brief detailed biographical extension at the end of the story. The Road to Oz is a beautifully, colorfully illustrated, well-told story of a man who impacted children's literature for years to come.
Thoughts:
Frank Baum is painted in a positive light in The Road to Oz, beginning with a look at what could be called a lazy and luxurious childhood if not for Baum's ingenuity and imagination. Posessing a gift for bold ideas, Frank never fails to take a risk, despite the fact that his risks rarely pay off. When one would expect to read of disappointment and disillusion, I was delighted to find that Baum remained in good humor and perseverance, firmly believing in his dreams with the support of a loving family behind him. The colorful illustrations captured the colorful life and imagination of Baum himself, and cleverly hint at future characters that come to life in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This biography, aimed at young readers, gives an example of a true story that acknowledges failures and mistakes, yet focuses on the positive attributes of the person whose life we are learning about. One can learn a lesson of persistence, patience, and imagination through the life of Frank Baum, and ends the story understanding that Baum finally found what he loved and worked at it for the rest of his life. This tale is honest, positive, and inspiring without glossing over Baum's financial shortfalls. I recommend this book as a positive introduction to biography for young readers!
Reviews:
"Fans of The Wizard of Oz will find plenty of enchantment in this thoughtful, brightly illustrated narrative. From his childhood at his parents' estate, with its 'rosebushes in glimmering-jewel colors,' to his various careers as journalist, playwright, chicken expert, window dresser (including his creative display of hardware fashioned into a tin man), store owner, newspaper editor, and family storyteller, Krull magically interweaves the origins of Baums characters and themes that would appear in his 'modern American fairy tales.' The 'Oz' books were his only true success, but they did not result in a fairy-tale ending for the Baum family. With sympathy for her subject, Krull tactfully notes Baum's lack of aptitude for business affairs and his eventual declaration of bankruptcy. Hawkes' merry paintings of the author and his characters invoke the magic of Oz within the great author's real-world setting. The Road to Oz will provide students with an inspiring introduction to Baum's life." - School Library Journal
"Despite the enduring popularity of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, there are few titles about L. Frank Baum published for youth. Krull's new picture-book biography, then, is particularly welcome, and it displays Krull's usual stylistic strengths:a conversational tone, well-integrated facts, vivid antecdotes, and sly asides that encourage children to find the human qualities in a historical figure. Beginning with Baum's pampered youth, Krull moves forward through his early adult years, when he flailed in a variety of jobs before finally writing his famous first book about Oz, which he based on bedtime stories he created for his children. Krull gives a balanced account, emphasizing Baum's creative gifts and his talents for nurturing his family while frankly referencing his less-admirable traits, such as his prejudice against Native Americans. Hawkes's ink-and-acrylic illustrations are uneven, with some figures appearing blurred and hurriedly rendered, but the brightly-colored compositions do support the sense of Baum as a multifaceted, fascinating individual. An author's note, sources, and a list of Baum's works conclude this entertaining, lively portrait." - Booklist
Ideas for Use:
The Road to Oz provides a wonderful background for a look at modern American fairy tales, as Baum's famous work, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, introduced America to the appeal of this genre. After reading of the life of Frank Baum and his creation of Oz, read the book together and then watch the movie. Compare the two (movie and book) and discuss how students think Baum would feel about the movie- if it matches closesly with his book, or if it is different than they think he imagined. For extension activities, students may read the further works in Baum's series on Oz, and compare these books to the original book.
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