I bought this because of the illustrations but it also seems to be pretty much the original story by Frank Baum ....with a few variations. Hmm come to think of it there are a lot of variations. For example...we don't have all the early stuff about Dorothy in Kansas.....which is a kind of pre-cursor to both the Wicked Witch of the West and the Wizard of Oz......at least in the movie version. But probably also in the book. Anyway, the illustrations are good...but maybe not great. And the story is abbreviated and maybe pretty easy for kids to read...and maybe not quite as terrifying as the original. Two stars from me. ( )