The Hidden Prince of Oz The Hidden Prince of Oz The Hidden Prince of Oz is a novel written by Gina Wickwar and illustrated by Anna-Maria Cool. As its title indicates, the book is an entrant into the series of Oz books by L. Frank Baum and his many successors. The publication of the book was timed to coincide with the centennial of the original Oz book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (as was also true of Edward Einhorn's "Paradox in Oz" and Dave Hardenbrook's "The Unknown Witches of Oz"). It was the winner of the Club's Centennial book contest, which received over 100 entries
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz inspired a number of now less well known stage and screen adaptations, including a profitable 1902 Broadway musical and three silent films. The 1939 film was considered innovative because of its songs, special effects, and revolutionary use of the new Technicolor. The story has been translated into other languages (at least once without permission) and adapted into comics several times. Following the lapse of the original copyright, the characters have been adapted and reused in spin-offs, unofficial sequels, and reinterpretations, some of which have been controversial in their treatment of Baum's characters. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz The Wonderful Wizard