The illustrators
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum was the first chapter book that I read to my son, and, upon completion, he wanted it read to him all over again! In fact, we have now read it four times! It is a great starter book into the world of classics!
W.W. Denslow remained the sole illustrator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz until Evelyn Copelman illustrated it in 1949, and once the book passed into the public domain in 1956 there has been no shortage of illustrated versions to choose from! I have done my best to represent them all here. If you know of any that I have missed, please do let me know in the comments! Thank you…and enjoy!
Above photo taken at the Maine Botanical Gardens with Thomas Dambo’s Guardians of the Seeds (Birk – Roots) in the background.
W.W. Denslow
Original!
When I opened a copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz illustrated by the original illustrator, W.W. Denslow, for the first time, I was shocked! I hadn’t expected the illustrations to be so adorable and so prolific! Just about every page is adorned, and for me, with the exception of the color plates, the artwork feels quite modern despite it’s age.
The color plates are wonderful, but the real tug at my heart is actually from the one or two color line drawings infused within the text! (See pictures in my slideshow).
And can anyone say: “Cutest Dorothy ever!”
Not all versions are colorized, so make sure to get a look inside before purchasing. I’ve included two covers I know for sure have colorized illustrations, and the one I own you can purchase at below link. the other is the Barnes and Noble edition, which is lovely.
First published on May 15, 1900 by George M. Hill Company. The version displayed here was published in 1987 by Justin Knowles Publishing Group.
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by W. W. Denslow from Abebooks
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by W. W. Denslow from Barnes and Noble
MinaLima
MINALIMA has done it again! Stolen my heart completely! Gorgeous illustrations wrapped around clever feats of paper engineering all bound in an emerald green cloth exterior embossed with well-known scenes of the text. The interior illustrations are vibrant and inventive – I love that Dorothy is actually wearing a jumpsuit and not a dress when she first lands in OZ- oh and those color combinations!
This version was JUST RELEASED in mid-September (2021) so is the newest book in this post. I want to give a big Thank You to one of my bestie’s Ericka for gifting this to me!! I love, love, love it!
Note: Green glasses included!
For those of you who are new to MINALIMA – Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima – are the design team who did the graphic design for the Harry Potter Films. Along with tons of Harry Potter work, they have also been doing a handful of classics. Check out their website: MinaLima Classics – MinaLima
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by MINALIMA from AMAZON
Lorena Alvarez Gomez
Usborne Illustrated Originals are colorful, gorgeous and fun, and their version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is no exception! Lorena Alvarez Gomez’s illustrations are bright and cheerful and make this version a wonderful choice if reading to younger kids. The book itself is rather petite, and the cover is a gold foiled paperback. I love it!
Published in 2019 by Usborne Publishing Ltd
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez from AMAZON
Cherie Zamazing
Every time I do one of these illustrator explores I inevitably come across some version that VERY pleasantly surprises me. THIS is that version! A petite book with a sky-blue cloth cover and sprayed page edges envelopes a gorgeous edition full of the original W.W. Denslow illustrations in black and white, paired with new, full color illustrations by Cherie Zamazing and the two styles meld together fabulously!
Cherie Zamazing’s illustrations are bold in color, detailed, and full of expression.
Between her and Denslow’s illustrations, I cannot find a single unadorned page.
Published in 2017 by North Parade Publishing Ltd
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by W.W. Denslow and Cherie Zamazing from AMAZON
Robert Ingpen
Australian illustrator Robert Ingpen’s unabridged classic series are wonderful, and you cannot go wrong with his version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! His atmospheric illustrations tend to lean towards reality, and very few pages are left unadorned. I love that these versions feature an author’s bio in the beginning.
What do I love most? The double page spread (by the way there are quite a few double page spreads) showing the metamorphosis of the Tin Man – which I have seen in two other other versions (Lisbeth Zwerger and MINALIMA) but I think his is the best.
By the way, I’ve done a post about Robert Ingpen’s classics. Click here to check it out!
Published 2011 by Sterling Publishing Company
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Robert Ingpen from AMAZON
Michael Sieben
This unique version illustrated by Austin, Texas based artist Michael Sieben is so cute that I want to eat it up! One of my sisters mentioned that it brings Halloween to mind so if you are planning on reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the autumn this would be a great version to go with! It has some really cool features which I’ve pictured in my slideshow: the cover is embossed with the sought after brains, courage and heart, the front and back endpapers show the trail that Dorothy takes on her journey, and the page edges are rainbow colored. The lavish illustrations are vibrant and include double spreads, spot and one page illustrations. I just adore this one and have already added it to my collection!
Published in 2013 by Harper Design
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Michael Sieben from Abebooks
Michael Hague
The Wizard of Oz has been a real hit in our family. As I have said previously, we have read it multiple times. Michael Hague’s version was read #3, and it was as if an entirely new story was revealed. Bright, detailed illustrations adorn the majority of pages and I just love the attention Hague gives to emotion, and that element of cuteness that his characters exhibit without going overboard.
There is also an 100th Anniversary Edition available that was published in 2000. From what I can tell, it’s updated cover is the only major difference.
Published in 1982 by Henry Holt & Company
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Michael Hague from Abebooks
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 100th Anniversary Edition Illustrated by Michael Hague from Abebooks
Michael Foreman
If you like rainbows, this version illustrated by Michael Foreman is the one for you! Every chapter has one or two full page illustrations and/or spot illustrations within the text. It’s a friendly and very cheerful take on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with the Wicked Witch of the West looking barely wicked, and the flying monkeys have rainbow wings! Fantastic version for younger kids!
Published in 2005 by Chrysalis Children’s Books
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Michael Foreman from Abebooks
Note: There is a paperback version too
Lisbeth Zwerger
A little whimsy and a little grace, Viennese illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger’s illustrations are full of charm and offer the reader a unique perspective into Oz. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you may recognize this illustrator’s work from her version of J.K. Rowling’s The Tales of Beetle the Bard.
Please note that this edition comes with green-tinted glasses to wear during the Emerald City parts.
Published in 1996 by North-South Books
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger from Abebooks
Be sure to inquire about the glasses, as the Emerald City is not at all green without them! (or if your copy doesn’t have them, green cellophane and construction paper/cardboard would do the trick!)
Greg Hildebrandt
I absolutely love Greg Hildebrandt’s use of light and shadow and bold detail! This is one of those books that just doesn’t come across as well in photographs as it does in person – I think that is the genius of Greg Hildebrandt and what has made him such a remarkable illustrator in the fantasy genre. His paintings will force you into his world, in this case, into OZ. And what a wonderful sensation that is!
Do note however, that some of the images can be quite scary to younger kids (wolves, winged monkeys and the Wicked Witch are all portrayed quite viciously with red eyes and various shades of a darker palette – (although later on the winged monkeys are illustrated much more tenderly and are actually cute!)), so I would perhaps recommend this version for older kids. That said, it is one of my absolute favorite versions!
Published in 1985 by The Unicorn Publishing House New Jersey and 2008 by Running Press. There is an abridged version published in 2003 by Running Press (Look closely at Cover it should say “From the Story by…”)
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt from Abebooks
Kriss Sison
I love this Manga version by Kriss Sison! Full color slides in the front of the book, followed by prolific black and white illustrations which animate and modernize the two books within – yes! The second book in the series is included! The Marvelous Land of Oz has not received the illustrated attention that it’s predecessor has so I was over the moon to find this version included it! I purchased this version and plan to read The Marvelous Land of Oz to my son later this month.
Another great thing? The awesome map of Oz!
Published in 2016 by Seven Seas Entertainment
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Kriss Sison from AMAZON
Russell H. Schulz
I just had to save a special spot and give a shout out to the version that used to belong to my Grandparent’s, and happened to be the version I first read to my son when he was 4, and which he loved so much I had to turn around and reread it to him immediately!
There is something to be said for choosing to go vintage: that musty smell of the pages (I have a sister that just adores that smell!), that feeling of simple coziness mixed with nostalgia that reminds you of all that is good in the world.
Russell H. Schultz’s illustrations are 1 color (green & black), with fine detail, chapter headings and one or two full page illustrations per chapter. Added bonus: Sweet illustrations on the back cover!
Published in 1957 by Whitman Publishing Company
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated by Russell H. Schulz from Abebooks
Other Wizard of Oz Illustrators
There are so many illustrated versions of Oz that it took me several weeks to put this post together – the choices are endless! The titles below are also beautifully illustrated, but with so many to choose from I had to stop somewhere! That said there are definately a few I might add to the featured section above if I manage to get a hold of them: the Amerigo Pinelli (Miles Kelly), Wayne Anderson and Evan Dahm all look interesting to me, and at least three of the vintage versions are just wonderful.
The below slides exhibit versions published between 1949 to the present, Look for these on Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, Alibris Books, Abebooks, or find them on internet archives or from your local bookstore or library!
Abridged, graphic novel, and Pop-Ups!
Although I am a huge supporter of unabridged versions, with so many gorgeous adapted/abridged/condensed and graphic novel versions out there I feel I must mention at least one of each! Also I came across a line of coloring books that I think are so pretty!
Additionally, Robert Sabuda’s popup version is a true masterpiece of paper engineering. I have included a video so do check it out below!
If your preference leans towards a condensed version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, than the choice is easy. There simply is no better version as far as illustrations are concerned. Full bodied, colorful visions transport the reader into another land called Oz, and I’m not sure Charles Santore’s illustrations can ever be topped. This is the Oz book that your child will remember!
There is also an unabridged version with Santore’s illustrations, but I chose not to include it above in my featured section because once you have seen the illustrations in the condensed version, it is difficult to enjoy it as anything else. The unabridged version is still beautiful and includes many of the colorful images from the condensed version, but they are smaller, and other favorites are in black and white. Nonetheless I’ve included a link below so you can check it out.
Published in 1991 by Random House, 2015 by Applesauce Press
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wizard of Oz condensed from the original and illustrated by Charles Santore from AMAZON
∞ The Wizard of Oz unabridged and illustrated by Charles Santore from Abebooks
Adapted by Susan Hill, this brand new version illustrated by Teresa Martinez is so, so cool! The cover is just ok, but inside it’s WOW! I especially loved the flying monkey collage. Amazon has really great views into the interior of the book so you can see for yourself.
Published in 2021 by Classic Adventures (Starry Forest Books)
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wizard of Oz adapted by Susan Hill and illustrated by Teresa Martinez from AMAZON
This adapted version by James Riordan (no relation to Rick Riordan I checked!) is cozy and detailed in all the right ways! The illustrations, by Victor G. Ambrus, are a wonderful middle ground between modern and vintage and really just caught my eye.
Published in 1999 by Oxford University Press
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wizard of Oz retold by James Riordan and illustrated by Victor G. Ambrus from Abebooks
Graphic Novel Adaptation! Writer Eric Shanower, Artist Skottie Young and Colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu have created these corky, modernized visions into the world of Baum, but what I like most about this series is that Shanower and Young stayed very true to the original text. I also love that at the back of the book there is a sketchbook section with several pages on character development, as well as examples of the various cover variants.
Also check out some of the other books in the Oz series!
Written by Eric Shanower
Published in 2009 by Marvel Publishing Inc.
Where to Buy:
∞ Volume 1: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young from Amazon
∞ Volume 2: The Marvelous Land of Oz by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young from Abebooks
∞ Volume 3: Ozma of Oz by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young from Amazon
∞ Volume 4: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young from Amazon
∞ Volume 5: Road to Oz by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young from Amazon
∞ Book 6: The Emerald City of Oz by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young from Amazon
COLOR THE CLASSICS : The Wizard of Oz by Jae-Eun Lee.
This style really caught my eye!
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz coloring book by Jae-Eun Lee from AMAZON
This popup book is amazing! See below video!
Where to Buy:
∞ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz art by Robert Sabuda from AMAZON
For the Collector
The Folio Society (2011) Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Sara Ogilvie – The Folio Society’s beautiful edition published in 2011. It is gorgeous – my siblings and I purchased this for my Stepmother back when it was available and I was blown away – in person it is stunning!
I’ve added two examples of Sara Ogilvie’s beautiful illustrations below that I took from my Stepmother’s book. As of the writing of this post (September 2021), Folio Society has marked it as “Sold Out”. However, they have not removed it from their website, and from watching their site over the last year I have noticed that whenever that happens the book eventually comes back on sale. Just a theory of mine so no guarantee’s! But do check before moving onto the secondary market for your copy: Folio Society Illustrated Hardcover Children’s Books
If you are looking to find it on the secondary market, check out this copy on Ebay.
Wow so many different books and I once again love how you display them. Such talent.
Thank You so much Charmayne! I took this picture at the Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. I foresee taking many “book” photos there!
Wow, there are so many choices for the Wizard of Oz! I’m excited to check out the Mimalima version..
You will love it!