The Denslow Picture Book Treasury

Book excerpt: The father of the "American Picture Book," W. W. Denslow is best remembered for the distinctive illustrations he created for the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This unique compilation features 9 of the best stories from his 18-volume series of picture books from 1903 to 1904, which featured novel retellings of favorite childhood tales. High-quality color reproductions of the artist's drawings accompany stories of Humpty Dumpty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and other beloved characters. Denslow rewrote several of these familiar stories, toning down harsher aspects of the original material to provide wholesome entertainment redolent of his era's mood and sensibilities. This new edition includes an Introduction by Oz historian Michael Patrick Hearn.