A Close-Up on the Fascinating World of L. Frank Baum
Born in 1856 and penning tales till his demise in 1919, L. Frank Baum is a towering figure in the realm of children’s literature and fantasy novels. The fame and admiration for his creation, the enchanting Land of Oz, remain undiminished over time. He unfurled this extraordinary world in his iconic work, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, which paved the path for 13 captivating sequels. This magical realm was further brought to life through “The Wizard of Oz” movie, etching its place as one of most viewed classic films ever.
Baum’s literary prowess was not confined to novels alone – his repertoire encompassed poetry, screenplays, and newspaper editing. With a stunning prescience, this versatile creator envisioned technological marvels like television, augmented reality, laptops, and wireless telephones, long before they materialized.
An Overview of Baum’s Debut and His Unique Writing Style
Baum embarked on his journey as a fiction author in 1897, with a heartwarming collection of fairy tales, titled “Mother Goose in Prose“. His first novel that followed, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz“, was an instant hit after its publication in 1900.
His writing style was unique and engaging, effortlessly pulling readers into his magical realms. Balancing the dark and light elements, he wove narratives that were not only magical but also held a mirror to society’s foibles and triumphs.
L. Frank Baum’s Books in Order
Presented here is a detailed list of L. Frank Baum’s books in order, starting from the earliest to the latest. This master storyteller penned an impressive 59 novels during his lifetime, four of which regrettably, are lost. Other works that added to his literary legacy include 83 short stories and over 200 poems. “Glinda of Oz“, published a year after his death in 1920, was his last original work.
Publication Order of Oz Books
(with Eric Shanower, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Jack Zipes)
| The Wonderful Wizard of Oz / The Wizard of Oz | (1900) |    |
| The Marvelous Land of Oz / The Land of Oz | (1904) | |
| Ozma of Oz | (1907) | |
| Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz | (1908) | |
| The Road to Oz | (1909) | |
| The Emerald City of Oz | (1910) | |
| The Patchwork Girl of Oz | (1913) | |
| Tik-Tok of Oz | (1914) | |
| The Scarecrow of Oz | (1915) | |
| Rinkitink in Oz | (1916) | |
| The Lost Princess of Oz | (1917) | |
| The Tin Woodman of Oz | (1918) | |
| The Magic of Oz | (1919) | |
| Glinda of Oz | (1920) | |