L Frank Baum

When young Dorothy and her dog Toto are caught in a cyclone, their Kansas farmhouse is carried off to the magical Land of Oz. Upon being told that the only way back is to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, home to the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy embarks on an extraordinary but perilous quest, in which the Wicked Witch of the West is constantly lurking around the corner. With its unforgettable cast of now iconic characters such as the Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was an instant hit when it was published over a century ago, inspiring numerous adaptations and sequels.

Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz, when a tornado rips through Kansas. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and along the way they meet a Scarecrow that needs a brain, a Tin Man missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who needs courage. There is only one catch, the Wizard requires them to bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West before they will gain his help.

Internationally acclaimed Viennese illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger brings her exceptional artistry and singular vision to her edition of The Wizard of Oz. In his introduction to the original 1900 edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum stated his intention to create a twentieth- century American fairy tale "solely to please children." In this he succeeded admirably, for the book has been a childhood favorite for almost a hundred years. It remains America's greatest fairy tale, the land of Oz its most enduring fairyland, and the inhabitants of that magical kingdom an intrinsic part of its folklore. But the appeal of The Wizard of Oz is universal. Published in every major language, it has been enjoyed by children the world over. Now the inter-nationally acclaimed Viennese illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger brings her exceptional artistry and singular vision to a new edition of The Wizard of Oz. Her unique perspective, her blend of whimsy and grace, charm and imagination offer readers a view of Oz that is fantastic yet familiar, startling yet strangely satisfying. Her vision of Baum's timeless classic is sure to be treasured by young and old alike.

From the creator of the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz comes the hilarious and entertaining festive tale for the whole family, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. Starring the Santa Claus whom we all know and love, L. Frank Baum's story takes us back to the fantastical origins of so many of our Christmas traditions as well as the humble origins of Santa Claus himself. Not many people know that, as a baby, Santa Claus was found by a woodsman in the Forest of Burzee, and placed into the care of the lioness, Shiegra, and the wood nymph, Necile. Although he is mortal, he is reared and educated by the many immortals of the forest: the gnomes, the sleep fays, the wind demons and the sound imps. But when Santa grows up, they encourage him to leave the forest so that he can see for himself the sad things that come with being a mortal, such as war and poverty. Once Santa has come to understand these issues, he makes it his mission to cheer up mortals and do good deeds for them. This tale unfolds the surprising reasons why Santa Claus invented toys, why he must deliver them at night and how he came to use reindeers to take him all over the world. Adults and children alike will be captivated by this magical, feel-good story as told by the master of children's fantasy, L. Frank Baum.