Reference Resources | Lfrankbaum

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All of the information found in the has been written by individuals who are foremost authorities in the field of children's literature. This piece discusses how Baum started writing, his influences and the nom de plumes that he chose to pen under. It touches upon Baum’s similarities to Carl Sandburg and his views. The essay also provides a brief history about Baum’s life, explaining how his mother-in-law saw potential that ultimately resulted in a shift in his life and career path.

Mathis, J. B. (2005). Baum, L. (Lyman) Frank. In B. E. Cullinan, & D. G. Person (Eds.), Continuum encyclopedia of children's literature. Continuum. Credo Reference: http://lynx.lib.usm.edu/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/kidlit/baum_l_yman_frank/0?institutionId=3440

The goal is to keep a record of individuals who have made marked contributions to world history. This piece provides a synoptic, focused and bullet-pointed timeline that looks at Baum and his literary works.

BAUM, L (Lyman) Frank. (2009). In Marquis Who's Who (Ed.), Marquis who was who in America 1607-1984. Marquis Who's Who LLC. Credo Reference: http://lynx.lib.usm.edu/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/marqwas/baum_l_yman_frank/0?institutionId=3440

A New Literary History of America provides information in the form of essays concerning and pertaining to “the first conception of a New World,” starting in the 1500s to the present day. It takes each piece of literary information or creation, and places it in context to what was happening around its creation, to its place of creation, and to the other pieces created around the same era.

With the focus of the essay being the world of Oz, it delves into the book series’ first reception, and how it presents itself as the first American Children’s literature. It talks about “a man in search of a vocation” and how his mother-in-law played a pivotal role in his becoming a children’s author. It also touches upon his pro-feminism beliefs. The essay then moves into the Golden Age of Children’s Literature with the creation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and discusses the other authors who entered through that newly-opened doorway. It looks at Baum’s admiration of Lewis Carrol’s Alice and lightly discusses how Oz was not an allegory.

Early, G., & EARLY, G. (2009). 1900: L. Frank Baum publishes a new type of "wonder tale". In G. Marcus, & W. Sollors (Eds.), A new literary history of America. Harvard University Press. Credo Reference: http://lynx.lib.usm.edu/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/harvardhoa/1900_l_frank_baum_publishes_a_new_type_of_wonder_tale/0?institutionId=3440

This biography takes the reader through an adult look at L. (Lyman) Frank Baum’s literary works, and why the attraction to Oz has withstood the testament of time. It looks at how many of his ideals are reflected in his work, from the support of feminism in his characters, belief in American traditional values as well as his curiosity in Theosophy. The author further explores how the lifestyle or environment of his time period influenced his creative works with a direct look at the fourteen books of Oz.

Rogers, K. M. (2002). L. Frank Baum, creator of Oz: [a biography]. New York: St. Martin's Press.

This ABDO biography explores L. (Lyman) Frank Baum for younger readers. The easy-to-read text provides information about Baum’s formative years growing up in New York as well as the influences that helped transform him into the prolific author who would later pen the Oz series. The biography also contains photos that provide an inside view of his life from childhood to authorship. Educationally this publication is designed to supply information that is approved for state as well as Common Core Standards.