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The Wizard of Oz  By  cover art

The Wizard of Oz

By: L. Frank Baum
Narrated by: John McDonough
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Editorial reviews

Performer John McDonough’s send up of L. Frank Baum’s classic, The Wizard of Oz is as timeless as the story itself. In his husky fireside baritone, McDonough personifies Baum’s colorful cast: wicked witches, downtrodden munchkins, and of course, Dorothy’s lovable gang of misfits. Young listeners will delight in the Scarecrow, in search of a brain, the Tin Woodman, without a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, seeking bravery. Unlike her three companions, however, Dorothy is unable to find help from the wizard in the Emerald City. Dorothy learns that only through the power of self-belief may she reach her goals. McDonough adopts what he calls a "musical point of view", imbuing his characters with an enduring quality that listener’s will want to revisit.

Publisher's summary

Everyone who met him agreed that L. Frank Baum was a born storyteller, but when The Wizard of Oz was published in 1900, its phenomenal success still surprised him. This American fairy tale was a radical departure from the religious and moral tales that were the standard fare of children’s literature at the turn of the century. It became so popular that avid readers urged Baum to write thirteen more books in the bestselling Oz series.

After Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away from Kansas by a cyclone, they embark on a remarkable odyssey accompanied by the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion. As they travel through enchanted lands toward the Emerald City, they find perils and colorful opponents including the wonderfully evil Wicked Witch.

The story and characters of The Wizard of Oz are beloved by generations of readers, listeners, and moviegoers.

Public Domain (P)2003 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Oz - where the young stay young, and the old grow young forever." (Ray Bradbury)
"Narrator Flo Gibson has a fine command of nuance and phrasing." (School Library Journal)

What listeners say about The Wizard of Oz

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wrong Narrator Listed!! Great reading!!!

This audiobook is read by John McDonoughn NOT Flo Gibson! This, however, was a pleasant surprise as McDonough is one of the best narrators of audiobooks around. His many voices and his reading of the story are pleasing to the ear. It feels as if your grandfather is reading it to you and is as much into the story as YOU are! I would highly recommend this version, especially if you are listening with a boy.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excited to see Wizard of Oz read by John McDonough

Wonderful to hear the Wizard of Oz narrated by this beautiful grandfatherly voice. We will listen again and again.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A classic for kids and adults

This is wonderful fun, no matter how old you are.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good... Kinda

The book is great overall but the narrarater does not kale much spice and pizazz and he does not sound exited... but it is still amazing!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Children's Book

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Gibson is a great narrator and brings much life to the story. I found the book to be interesting, but fairly repetative and drawn out. It would be a good book for a child as young as 6 or 7.

As an adult, I enjoyed it too.

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