Little Wizard Stories

The Little Wizard Series was a set of six small books written by L. Frank Baum, and published at the same time as The Patchwork Girl of Oz, to help increase interest in the newly revived Oz series. These six books were then published in a single volume as the Little Wizard Stories of Oz. Unfortunately, the individual cover illustrations were not used within the combined version.

These original printings are difficult to find in decent shape. The paper covered boards and spine did not hold up to much wear and tear. But in spite of that, I think the format is enjoyable - similar to a Little Golden Book. The stories are pretty simple, aimed at a younger audience than the full size Oz books.

Four of these small books were reprinted in softcover in 1932 as part of a set of jig-saw puzzles, and again in 1934 as a Jell-O promotion. In 1939, Rand McNally reprinted the entire series, two to a volume, in the same format as their Oz Junior Editions.