The Emerald City of Oz
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Gr 4 Up‘If only the superior production values of this audiobook were in service to a better story. The fine vocal characterizations by the actors and actresses really bring the characters to life. To children unaccustomed to read-aloud tapes, using several readers instead of only one will help listeners distinguish who is who. The entire text of the book is narrated, including "he said" and "she said," which allows the tape to be used as a read-along when paired with a copy of the book. Too bad this title is one of Baum's least compelling, even though there are several action scenes. The Emerald City of Oz begins at a snail's pace with the introduction of the villain, Nome King, who wants to destroy the Emerald City and retrieve his magic belt. The beginning also reintroduces Dorothy, Auntie Em, and Uncle Henry. We can look forward to other releases by Piglet Press if they are produced with such a fine cast of actors.-Penny Peck, San Leandro Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

While the evil Nome King tunnels under the Emerald City to destroy it, Dorothy, who has moved permanently to Oz, tours her new country. A reissue of the 1910 edition, the volume includes Neill's black-and-white and full-color illustrations, complete with green metallic ink, just as they appeared in the first printing of the book. From HORN BOOK 1993, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.