KATHLEEN KRULL’S LIVELY text traces the life of L. Frank Baum from his dreamy privileged childhood in mid-19th-century upstate New York throu...
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Mar 18, 2009
Becky
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Fascinating picture book biography of L. Frank Baum. I didn't know any of his life story: his many failed business attempts, the fact that he didn't publish "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" until he was age 44 with four children, or how he tried to combine writing with EVERY business venture he tried (even raising chickens).
The optimist in me loves that he kept his imaginative life lively throughout his hardships, and that the book which brought him success is the one that dre More...
The optimist in me loves that he kept his imaginative life lively throughout his hardships, and that the book which brought him success is the one that dre More...
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Oct 18, 2011
Sarah
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Genre: Biography
Awards:
Age Group: Primary - Intermediate
Summary: This book tells the story of L. Frank Baum, the man who created the Wizard of Oz book series. Frank came from a very wealthy family, but that did not deter him from his desire to work and create his own wealth. At a very early age his father bought him a printing press, thus beginning his love affair with the written word. Along his journey Frank wrote several unsuccessful books including The Book of Hamburg More...
Awards:
Age Group: Primary - Intermediate
Summary: This book tells the story of L. Frank Baum, the man who created the Wizard of Oz book series. Frank came from a very wealthy family, but that did not deter him from his desire to work and create his own wealth. At a very early age his father bought him a printing press, thus beginning his love affair with the written word. Along his journey Frank wrote several unsuccessful books including The Book of Hamburg More...
Nov 16, 2011
Kelli
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This is a picture book biography of L. Frank Baum the author of The Wizard of OZ. The book starts with Frank Baum being a young child and tells us of his love for reading, writing and being imaginative. He grew up in a wealthy family and was somewhat pampered. Frank and his younger brother Harry even wrote and printed their own monthly newspaper. Next the book follows Frank into his teen and young adulthood years, where he started a novel, performed in a traveling theater, founded his own the
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Jan 22, 2010
Kathleen
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I picked up this book at the library. I love the Wizard of Oz movie and have read the original Wizard of Oz book as well. As I state in that review, I'd love to read them all but my library isn't very helpful. I've also read The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull (biography of Dr. Seuss)
I learned some interesting points about L. Frank Baum's life that I didn't know. He had a rough life. He always enjoyed writing but he was quite far into his life when he finally stumbled upon More...
I learned some interesting points about L. Frank Baum's life that I didn't know. He had a rough life. He always enjoyed writing but he was quite far into his life when he finally stumbled upon More...
Dec 13, 2010
Diana
rated it:
A fascinating book detailing the twists and turns of Frank Baum's life on his road to creation of the Wizard of Oz. What I found most interesting about this book are the details about his life. Regardless of the fact that he created one of the most celebrated pieces of children's literature in history, Frank Baum faced many stumbling blocks and pitfalls even after success seemed inevitable. If you want to know more about a fascinating life and person, take a look at this book. Great for grad
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Sep 19, 2010
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
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First, I'll say that there were 2 things I didn't like about this book. First, on the second 2-page spread, Krull puts down the name Lyman: "No one dared call him Lyman--who wouldn't hate that name?" Well, what if some kid with that name reads this book and feels bad about his name? Krull might better have simply said that Baum didn't like his first name. Second, she kept inserting comments in parentheses throughout the text, which broke it up and annoyed me.
Having sai More...
Having sai More...
Mar 05, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
Being a huge L. Frank Baum fan, I really wanted to read this biography. Kevin Hawkes did a fantastic job with the illustration, esp the end pages and the mini-drawings of Ozian characters at the bottom of every 2 pages. The story just seemed a bit disjointed, like the author just grabbed a bunch of facts about Baum and threw them together to make a story. Baum had a large number of failed business ventures before he finally made it big with the publishing of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"
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Mar 10, 2011
Amy
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A biography about L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz. I actually didn't find his life all that interesting...he was a fabulous father and husband but a terrible money manager. He tried lots of different things but really didn't find "success" until he wrote The Wizard of Oz. Then he became really wealthy and mismanaged his money again. I would check it out from the library if you see it...but I'd skip making it a permanent member of your biography collection!
Jul 29, 2011
Misty
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This is a lovely story about the life of the author of the Wizard of Oz books. I enjoyed this book as I read it to my children and found that it was actually inspiring as well as interesting. This book has shown me, and my kids, that things don't happen overnight and that while it may take a while to find success, you will get there by keeping an open mind and never giving up. A great book for those who love Oz, and then some!
Oct 01, 2009
Jen
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Another neat writer's biography (we're focused on the 19th century this year). Baum had many, many set backs before he figured out how to make a living. He was 44 when the Wizard of Oz came out. I like seeing how various elements of his past reappear in his stories.
Kathleen Krull did the excellent "Lives of" series (short bios of musicians, artists, writers, athletes).
Kathleen Krull did the excellent "Lives of" series (short bios of musicians, artists, writers, athletes).
Dec 05, 2008
Kris
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I love just about anything by Kathleen Krull, and this is yet another great, interesting biography by a master. My favorite part is that L. Frank Baum kept a record of all his rejections from publishers in a book he called his Record of Failure. I hear ya, Frank.
Oct 01, 2008
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Me for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com
In this biography geared towards children, author Kathleen Krull gives us an up-close-and-personal look at the life of L. Frank Baum.
Beginning with his privileged upbringing in 1860s New York, chronicling his never-ending money woes, and ending with his successful publishing of THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ in 1900, Ms. Krull takes us into the life and times of a brilliant author.
Paired with beautiful illustrations by K More...
In this biography geared towards children, author Kathleen Krull gives us an up-close-and-personal look at the life of L. Frank Baum.
Beginning with his privileged upbringing in 1860s New York, chronicling his never-ending money woes, and ending with his successful publishing of THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ in 1900, Ms. Krull takes us into the life and times of a brilliant author.
Paired with beautiful illustrations by K More...
Jul 23, 2010
Bonnie
rated it:
Amazing! This has to be the best biography I have ever read. It was fascinating, and I learned so many things about L. Frank Baum I never knew.
Feb 18, 2009
babyhippoface
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I would have liked to have known Frank Baum. He did a little bit of everything in his life, and stayed upbeat while he lost job after job. I enjoyed seeing where pieces of Oz came from.
Jan 19, 2010
Jessica
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I am a Wizard of Oz lover, the book series much more than the movie. Whenever I come across a biography of Baum I am sure to pick it up, so I was very excited when I came across this book on Goodreads when I searched for Baum.
However, I never actually looked at the description of the book so I did not realize it was a children's book. I was a little disappointed when it finally came to my library and I picked it up and it wasn't what I was expecting.
I did read the book, a More...
However, I never actually looked at the description of the book so I did not realize it was a children's book. I was a little disappointed when it finally came to my library and I picked it up and it wasn't what I was expecting.
I did read the book, a More...
Mar 09, 2010
Kim
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"We are off to see the wizard . . ." Not really, but you will meet the creator of the Wizard, Dorothy, Toto and the rest. An interesting picture book biography.
Dec 15, 2008
BobbiJ
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L. Frank Baum failed at most things he tried throughout his life, but he never gave up.
Feb 02, 2010
Jason
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A nice introduction to the life of L. Frank Baum. Quite fascinating stuff.
Nov 09, 2010
Tiffany
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Interesting look at how real-life experiences in Baum's life became inspiration for so many characters and situations in his books.
I love that he was such a devoted father (to many BOYS!).
I love that he was such a devoted father (to many BOYS!).
Oct 29, 2008
Ellen
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I love these picture book bios- great brief intro to tell me if I want to read more- and the Oz books were my favorites when I was a kid!
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