*First Edition, first printing* In this literary biography of a too-often overlooked pioneer of 20th century children's fiction, first-time author Loncraine examines the life and prolific career of Oz series creator L. Frank Baum. Divided into five sections, corresponding to the five U.S. regions in which he lived, U.K. journalist Loncraine seeks to enshrine Baum as America's Grimm Brother, as devoted to his native land as he is to his fantasy world. The most interesting sections cover his childhood in the Finger Lakes region of New York and his life as a storekeeper and newspaper publisher in the Great Plains. Loncraine's rich material includes the ideas and folktales populating each region-ghosts and mysticism, poverty and desire, and others-but, unfortunately, her determination to give equal attention to each area of Baum's life short-changes Baum's interpersonal relationships, as well as the ties between his life and his work. Too often, Loncraine notes these connections but fails to dig into them, including what may have been the most fascinating part of Baum's tale, his decades-long marriage to a suffragist who was in every way his equal. Though this biography should intrigue Oz fans, it's hardly the final word.

ISBN: 9781592404490