The Wizard of Oz: A Scanimation Book

by Rufus Butler Seder

We’re off to see the wizard! The magic of Scanimation meets the wonderful Wizard of Oz , bringing to life 10 memorable scenes from the movie that’s enchanted generations of viewers.  It’s the gift book of the fall, and

• Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto dancing down the Yellow Brick Road
• Dorothy’s farmhouse flying upward in a twister
• Miss Gulch, on her bicycle in the tornado, transforming into a witch on a broomstick
• The Lollipop Kids strutting from side to side
• The Scarecrow doing a wacky dance
• The Tin Man swaying from side to side; Dorothy and the Scarecrow flanking him as if to catch him
• The Wicked Witch of the West waving on a sky full of flying monkeys
• The Wicked Witch of the West melting
• The Great and Powerful Oz―and the man behind the curtain frantically pulling levers
• A close-up of Dorothy clicking her ruby slippers

Like Star Wars before it, The Wizard of Oz is a marriage of phenomenal Scanimation and one of the most beloved movies of all time.  It also continues to be a vital Warner’s 2009 release of the 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition won DVD critics’ and numerous other awards; Warner Brothers Kids just launched wizardofozkids.com; and in 2011, Andrew Lloyd Webber is staging The Wizard of Oz on Broadway.  Now it’s found yet new life through Rufus Butler Seder With equal parts love and skill, he’s created 10 compelling Scanimations, taking us over the rainbow.

A glittering, ruby-red cover is the final, delectable touch.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Fantasy, Classics

11 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The "scanimation" is really difficult to make out on the pages. The black lines up and down obscure much of the detail and make the moving image extremely muddy. While the idea is attractive: creating scanimation images of a beloved movie, the actual execution leaves much to be desired. The silhouette of the witch and the flying monkeys is probably the best of the lot.

[Joanne G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The front cover is attractive with a scanimation of Dorothy's familiar blue bobby socks and ruby red slippers surrounded by a hardcover of red glitter. Inside the book, each turn of the page sets a scanimation into motion--Miss Gulch transforming into the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy and her friends skipping down the Yellow Brick Road, the Great and Powerful Oz head speaking in the midst of raging flames, etc.

This is a gift book, and, as per most of that ilk, the appealing nature to the eye is far more important than the story. Scored for story, one star would be generous. I would have given five stars for the visual appeal if the scanimations had been better; they're rather murky.

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously, this book doesn’t tell the whole ‘Wizard of Oz’ story, it just shows highlights, but I didn’t like how some of the pictures were out of order.

This book was very short, but the scanimation pictures were cute, and fun to show to the kiddos.

Im going try to show the movie to my little one now.

[Brittney Wendholt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very neat book but it doesn’t include important parts that tell the whole story. The focus of this one is the animated portions that move when the page is turned. This would make a great gift/collectible for a Wizard of Oz fan!

[Tarina Nye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has huge visual appeal in that the pictures move when you shift the book! I think that this would be great in any grade, but particularly in the lower grades (K-2).

[Megan Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part is when they arrive at Emmerdale City and get to embrace its true beauty! I would use this book to try and help show a twist on traditional lit.

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a COOL kid book. Super unique. Super beautiful.

[Natalie Pietro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe this is the first Scanimation Book I have come across. It seems that these funny little books have been around for a while now but I'm only becoming aware of its beauty now. This one is based off the Wizard of Oz. The motion of the pictures as your turn the page is mesmerizing. This I can say is the first book my 11 month old son sat and stared and never once tried to eat the book. He sat and smiled at the moving pictures. It sure was a fun book to find and I can't wait to read the Star Wars Scanimation!

[Emma Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wizard of Oz Scanimation: 10 Classic Scenes From Over the Rainbow

Rufus Butler Seder

Published 2011/ 11 pages

I thought this book was really cool! My favorite part was when you shifted the book it moved like a movie. However, I don't think this book would be good to understand the story. In the classroom, I could use this for students that have a difficult time reading. They could study the moving pictures and relay the story.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one that is awesome to look at, but will never last in a library setting. I know I didn't order it, even if it is in my area of the collection. I love these Scanimation books. And this one is in color! Based on the movie and not the book. But still cool. My cousin's daughter Amelia would have loved this during her Wizard of Oz days.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The "moving picture" technology from when I was a kid was better. The black "jail bars" make the pictures difficult to see. Plus, they don't have that scratchy feel we all liked to run our fingernails across.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The movie in a nutshell. I felt bad for the lion, who didn't get his own page.

[Heidi Andres · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing preventing me from giving this book 5 stars is the fact that there wasn't a page devoted to the Cowardly Lion!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT!!! Scenes featured are from the movie and text consists of quotes from the movie. A completely satisfying read and feast for the eyes for Oz fans!

[Mcdanielm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is why I watch the New York Times Bestseller list! What a delightful gift this would make for somebody.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just discovered scanimation and I am in love... if you like pop-out books, you are going to love this.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely images, but the ending of the story was incomplete.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scanimation is visually stunning, but the scene descriptions lack sparkle.

[Daniel Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very impressed by the gimmick - the image quality is dire - in several you can barely make out what screen they are depicting!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool!

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and clever. The scanimation is fascinating. I didn't think they chose the best quotes to feature though.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had this one when I was a kid.