May Updates

The June/July issue of Doll Reader magazine features the Wicked dolls on it’s cover to coincide with the release of both dolls this month. The article refers to the dolls as a series so I suspect more are in store. Check your local newsstands or doll shops.

Breygent Marketing’s Series II Wizard of Oz trading cards was released earlier this month. Get ‘em while you can. Series I sold out very quickly and the second series is supposed to be even more limited. There is a new binder, Prop cards, Munchkin autograph cards, sketch cards and five chase card sets. The chase card sets include 9 Character Cards, two different sets of 9 Puzzle Cards, 11 Magical Places Cards, and 11 Munchkin Cards. The new binder includes an exclusive card while there’s yet another card on the bottom of the boxes.

Hallmark Dreambooks are in stores now. Check with your local store to reserve your Oz ornaments and ask about their limited ornament selling policy. The Winged Monkey limited ornament titled Toto’s Great Escape is definitely going to be hot and hard to find.

Judy Garland’s first movie and only film for 20th Century Fox Pigskin Parade is now available on DVD. Special features include a brief documentary or interview with Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft. Definitely a release Judy fans will not want to miss.

For those still in search of the Winkie/Flying Monkey Giftset from Mattel, they are available online again from Toys R Us.com

A few different Oz shirts are showing up. The girls and juniors designs from Hybrid (check my earlier entry http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html) are showing up on eBay so be sure to check out Kohls and Target. I’ve also noticed an additional design of the Emerald City in girls’ sizes. And there two new Wizard of Oz shirts from Junk Food Clothing. Oz collectors may recognize the designs from children’s records.
http://www.junkfoodclothing.com/Wizard_Of_Oz_Burn_Out_Short_Sleeve_Crew/pd/np/200/p/1162.html
http://www.junkfoodclothing.com/Over_The_Rainbow_Burn_Out_Short_Sleeve_Crew/pd/np/200/p/1141.html

Karen Owens alerted me to some ADORABLE Wizard of Oz mice figurines that will be available exclusively at Fairy Tales in September. Please see their website for details. Click on Event Pieces and Attendee Pieces to see all of the pieces in the collection.
http://fairy-tales-inc.com/wicked.html

Jim Whitcomb found a new book and a new plate series.
Oz in Perspective: Magic and Myth in the L. Frank Baum Books by Richard Tuerk
Looks like a must have for fans of the original Oz series.
http://www.amazon.com/Oz-Perspective-Magic-Frank-Books/dp/0786428996/ref=sr_1_1/102-7673831-9829748?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178624693&sr=8-1


Jewels of Oz Collector Plate Collection
http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-900584.jsp?wizard+of+oz&endeca=true

May’s been a busy month for Oz collectors and I expect the next few months to be just as busy with the Hallmark ornaments in July and not long after many companies will announce their fall lines and who knows what surprises may turn up. Always something happening in the Land of Oz. Stay tuned!!

New Wizard of Oz Partyware

http://www.celebrateexpress.com/Celebration/product.asp?SKU=E2278

April Updates

Click photos to enlarge.
A new Wicked Witch shirt from Hybrid will be at Kohls stores in June.

If you have a little Dorothy deserving of some spoiling this darling jumper from Mulberry Street might be just the thing. Check children's clothing boutiques for availability, sizes, and pricing.

The Yellow Brick Road Adventures plate collection from the Bradford Exchange features engaging collages by Steve Chorney. So far the artist has completed four pieces of art, one for each of the main characters, with hopes for more. Steve Chorney should already be familiar to Oz collectors for providing the artwork for Franklin Mint's Wizard of Oz Screen Scenes Collection featuring the Wicked Witch of the West. You can see Mr. Chorney's beautiful work on his website http://www.stevenchorney.com/ To order the Yellow Brick Road Adventures plates please visit the Collectibles Today site http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-900151.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_6/_/_/_Y&endeca=true

A new biography about Judy Garland by Paul Donnelley has a tentative released date scheduled in the U.S. for November.

Breygent should be releasing The Wizard of Oz trading cards Series II around the end of the month. Pre-order a.s.a.p with Karen Owens at storylandmi@aol.com if you are interested. I understand this series will be more limited than the first one.

And lastly it seems Kurt Adler does have a new Wizard of Oz polonaise piece for 2007. I'll post a better picture when one is available to me, but for now you can take a look on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polonaise-2007-New-Wizard-Of-Oz-Dorothy-Toto-Ornament_W0QQitemZ270112201686QQihZ017QQcategoryZ48778QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Mattel Winkie Online

For those that have been unable to find the Mattel Winkie/Flying Monkey giftset. It can can now be ordered from Toys R Us.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2665406&cp

Toto's Great Escape Photo

Toto's Great Escape Photo and Looney Tunes Photo courtesy of Jason (The very awesome Gold Crown Store Manager)

This ornament is priced at $12.50 and will only be available at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores. You'll have to be a Gold Crown Member to purchase. It's free to join. If you haven't already done so you'll want to join a.s.a.p so as not to miss this great ornament. You can enroll at a Hallmark Gold Crown store or online. The ornament is produced in limited quantities so be at the ornament premiere early. Some stores may even let you reserve. There's been a lot of enthusiasm over this little guy so I anticipate a quick sell out.

Limited Edition Premiere Ornament Update

I've just received word that Toto's Great Escape is a flying monkey holding a basket with Toto ready to leap out. Excitement is already high over this ornament so plan to be at your Hallmarks early July 14th or maybe even find a store that is having a midnight Keepsake Ornament Premiere party.

Surprises Keep Coming From Hallmark

Trick or Treating in Oz Set
Keepsake ornaments from Hallmark

I'm so excited about this I can barely type!!! Looney Tunes as characters from The Wizard of Oz. Coming from Hallmark for Halloween. Dorothy Gale sought out the true meaning of home, the Looney Tunes....well, they just want candy!! Here's Bugs, Tweety, Sylvester, and what Looney Tunes set would be complete without Taz as characters from the MGM film! The set of four is $16.50 starting in September. The tallest of the ornaments is Sylvester at 2 1/2 inches and the smallest is Tweety at 1 1/4 inches. Some stores may receive the ornaments in August and could start sellling them as early. Contact your local Hallmark.

New Oz from Hawthorne and Hamilton Collection

Jim Whitcomb found the links to two fabulous new Oz pieces today. The Hawthorne double sided piece has been a long time coming. If memory serves, it was first announced in 2004. Both of this are sure to be a big hit!

Mickey's Magical Times in Oz
http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-901116001.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_54/_/_/_Y&endeca=true#

Wizard of Oz Collectible Sculpture
http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-1429113001.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_54/_/_/_Y&endeca=true#

Surprise from Hallmark!!!

In addition to the ornaments I posted about previously (see March 4th entry) there is a bit of a surprise from Hallmark. A limited edition Wizard of Oz ornament titled Toto's Great Escape. It will be available only during the ornament premiere July 14th and 15th. You'll want to be at the premiere early!! No pics or info on pricing yet.

First Look at Mattel's Winkie/Flying Monkey

Here it is. The doll that's been frustrating collectors since December. We'll have to be frustrated a little longer I'm afraid. No definate word yet on where these dolls will be sold. Could be KB Toys or Toys R Us or both.

http://cgi.ebay.com/WIZARD-OF-OZ-WINKIE-GUARD-KEN-doll-and-Winged-Monkey_W0QQitemZ330103944897QQcategoryZ36535QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yellow Bricks and Golden Arches

Anticipation has been building since the first announcement from Madame Alexander at the International Wizard of Oz Club's Munchkin convention in August of 2006. McDonalds Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Happy Meal Toy Promotion kicked off March 23rd. Miniature dolls based on Madame Alexander's perennial favorite Wizard of Oz line are free with the purchase of a Happy Meal or can be bought separately at most McDonalds'.

Characters on hand vary from location to location. Prices and availability depend on location, ownership, and volume of business at various restaurants. During week 1 of hte promotion many stores only offered dolls 1 Dorothy and 2 Glinda. Some collectors have been allowed to purchase entire sets at more high traffic locations. Dolls are priced from $1.00 - $2.49 plus applicable sales tax.

The 5" - 6" Happy Meal Toys are fine replicas of their larger counterparts. The dolls are plastic and cloth with rooted hair. They bear the hallmark Alexander doll faces and sleep eyes with four points of articulation so dolls can be posed. Each individually packaged doll wears an indentifying wrist tag. These charming dolls are very well done and not much detail is sacrificed for their small size. The Wicked Witch even has green eyes! They are well worth the minimal price especially considering the full sized dolls retail for $60 - $125. Easter is just around the corner and the dolls would be great for Easter baskets.

So tap your heels together 3 times and think to yourself 'There's No Place Like McDonalds' to pick up your Madame Alexander dolls today.

Special Happy Meal Notes

McDonalds sometimes sells boy toys and girl toys in their Happy Meals. The Wizard of Oz promotion is for the girls while the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the suggested boy toys. Be sure to specify when you order.

For restaurants that aren't stocked with the entire set the release schedule may be like this:

Week 1 March 23 1 Dorothy 2 Glinda
Week 2 March 30 3 Wicked Witch of the West 4 Cowardly Lion
Week 3 April 6 5 Wicked Witch of the East 6 Tin Man
Week 4 April 13 7 Daisy Munchkin 8 Scarecrow


The promotion runs from March 23 until April 19th or while supplies last. Due to the popularity of these toys, I suggest checking in with your local McDonalds often.



Be sure to click photos to enlarge.

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion stand at 8" and were introduced late 2006 for the 2007 line. The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion have changed appearance this year to more resemble the lovable characters from the 1939 classic.

The Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda, the Wicked Witch of the East are all 10" and were released in 2006 and are all current styles. The Wicked Witch and Glinda are based on the characters from the MGM film while the Wicked Witch of the East sprang from the fertile minds at the Alexander Doll Company.

The Daisy Munchkin in the 8" size was available for 2 years retired after 2002. A doll in a 5" size was part of the Petite Munchkin Set produced from Fall 2003 until 2005.

Anyone interested in purchasing any of the larger dolls please contact Karen Owens

http://www.wizardofozland.com/madamealexander.php

High Res Images of Happy Meal Toys

http://www.mcdepk.com/happymeal/hirez.html

Breygent Cards Update

Apparently they have recently acquired a prop from which small pieces will be used for prop cards. Artist Darla Ecklund who did sketch cards for series 1 has been removed as an artist for series 2.

http://www.breygent.com/wizardofoz2.htm

Word on the sketch artist message boards were the release date would be March 31st. As of this writing I do not know if the new prop cards will affect the release date.

Toys ready to debut on Happy Meal site

http://www.happymeal.com/robo-mlp/

Look for high res photos to appear soon.

Mickey's Off to See the Wizard!

To order Mickey's Magical Time in Oz please call The Hamilton Collection at

1-800-545-2077

Thank you Jean Dixon for scanning your flyer and thank you Jim Whitcomb for providing the number for The Hamilton Collection.

Larger Happy Meal Photo

From MadameAlexander.com

http://madamealexander.com/mcdonalds.php

Hybrid Tees

Hybrid tees has created a line of fashionable Wizard of Oz shirts in vibrant colors for girls and Jrs. The Jrs. sizes are available now at Kohls and Sears. The girls shirts will be at Kohls and some Targets in the near future.

Click on photos to enlarge for more detail.

The Jrs. Kohls shirt has a distressed look with the Wicked Witch of the East's feet under Dorothy's house with the Wizard of Oz logo and Glinda's famous warning "Be Gone! Before someone drops a house on you too." The shirt is accented with soft rainbow hues making a perfect casual look for spring and made with fabric that feels luxurious against the skin.








Shirt can be found in Kohls Department Stores or at Kohls.com
http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_vanilla2.jsp?PRODUCTfolder_id=428995005&prtID=pfx&src=k22350&cm_mmc=Performics-_-DataFeed-_-I-search%20(Froogle)-_-DDI%20Link








Sears carries a variant of the Be Gone shirt with striking red & glittered features.

A second style at Sears is emblazoned with everyones favorite emerald complexioned villainess (or with respect to Wicked fans...perceived villainess) striking an ominous pose in a bold green color with her menacing threat "I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too.'

Both of these tops can be found in stores or online.

My Pretty

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=002AM123000&vertical=Sears&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Be Gone

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=002AM122000&vertical=Sears&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

A design of the Wicked Witch in flight should be on retailers' shelves soon.

Look for these girls styles soon in a Kohls or Target near you.

More expected this summer. I'll do my best to keep everyone appraised of new styles and where they can be found.

More Shoedoodle styles

Contact Karen Owens for pricing and ordering info. storylandmi@aol.com

Bookendz News & Updates

A rep from Cumberland House Press has informed me that the release date for Short & Sweet: The Life and times of the Lollipop Munchkin by Jerry Maren has been pushed back to the fall. No reason was given for the delay.



Two new editions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Usborne books Hardcover 64 pages

Due June 2007 from Children's Classics. Hardcover 192 pages.

Joshua P. Dudley's debut effort Lost in Oz will receive the graphic novel treatment starting late spring. Info on the novel can be found at http://www.lostinozbook.com/

Look for a review in a forthcoming issue of The Baum Bugle. Check out these links for additional info.

http://www.lulu.com/content/604153

http://www.newhampshire.com/article.aspx?headline=NH+author+gets+lost+in+Oz&articleid=504

The Dorothy comic still publishes periodically. They have just released issue 7. Be sure to check their website regularly for updates. http://www.dorothyofoz.net/

And last for today is the new hardcover edition of Ozoplaning with the Wizard of Oz by Baum successor Ruth Plumly Thompson. This book is loaded with new features and boasts a glorious cover illustrated by Eric Shanower.

http://www.hungrytigerpress.com/books/ozoplaning.shtml

I try to limit my book collecting to different versions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (though I do stray occasionally) and in that I don't read very many Oz books other than what's written by the Baums ( L. Frank and Roger) or books about the MGM movie. However, I know a lot of ozphiles that are avid readers of anything Oz. If anyone cares to offer a critique of any Oz books, I'd be delighted to post your thoughts.