Oz Review

Oz is a lovely app for iPad and a very nice adaption the classic children’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Although re-written and abridged, this is a very faithful version of this beloved story which I have enjoyed reading. It is especially nice that the original artwork by W. W. Denslow is used. These illustrations have been re-mastered, with subtle movements or interactions sometimes added to these classic drawings. Read like a book without narration, this app is nicely formatted in a way that I found very readable, with the right number of lines per page to engross but not to overwhelm the reader. There is also a nice use of larger fonts and bold typesets sometimes used to show emphasis and break up the pages of text a bit as well.

I remember The Wonderful Wizard of Oz being read out loud by my teacher in the first grade. It has been more than 30 years since then, but I still remember many of the details today, as this epic story was written in such a vivid manner, full of lush details and interesting characters.

As a fan of The Wizard of Oz, I feel fortunate to have been able to review a few Oz-related books. Sometimes they are simple primers for beginner Oz enthusiasts; other times they have been a nice mix of the classic book and the 1939 film. I have not come across any other apps with added interactions that have been so thorough in the re-telling of this story, leaving as many plot points intact from the lengthy original book as in this version.

The apps that I have read based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, although nice in their own ways, always have Glenda the good witch magically appearing to help Dorothy go home after she is not able to take the hot air balloon out of the Emerald City. In the original book, the missed opportunity of the hot air balloon is not the end of the story, but the middle of this tale as Dorothy and friends set out for many more adventures having to travel to Glenda’s home town to ask for her help. I am really glad that this application has included these travels, especially making note of the land made out of china, a favorite detail I remember from my childhood. Also included in this longer version is a nice conclusion regarding what happens to all of Dorothy’s friends.

I appreciate that the included interactions never distract from the storytelling, nicely providing the reader some opportunities to give the characters a helping hand, such as mending the Tin Man or Scarecrow when needed or helping Dorothy tap her shoes together to be finally sent home. Sounds or music are often used along with the illustrations or interactions which are nicely done, and I enjoy listening to the music used in this app a great deal.

In the world of highly interactive apps, these simple yet effective interactions along with original drawings and thoughtful musical selections create an almost "antique" feel, an ironic thing to say maybe, but the effect here works quite well.

This is a really nice adaptation of the classic book. I like the addition of the menu, helpful where one has left off, and it is nice that this app opens to the last page read. At 112 short pages, this is a great choice for kids who may not be quite ready to listen to the lengthy original. I look forward to reading this version to my son when he is a bit older, as well as to the full version when he is ready.