General Info

Founded in 1980, Books of Wonder is New York City's largest and oldest children's bookstore and the city's leading specialist in children's literature. Among the various departments in our store are sections devoted to children's classic and contemporary picture books, board books for infants and toddlers, foreign language children's books, reference books for children ( dictionaries, atlases, etc. ), non-fiction, and chapter books and novels for children from beginning readers to teens. And, of course, there is our world famous Oz section - a whole bookcase devoted to the many Oz books by L. Frank Baum and his successors. Of special interest to collectors is our wall of old, rare, and collectible children's books and original children's book art. Books of Wonder publishes many of the Oz classics, including the original L. Frank Baum titles ( The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its many sequels ) as well as later Oz stories written by other writers. For the many fans of Oz, Books of Wonder sponsors The Royal Club of Oz which publishes "The Emerald City Mirror", the club's official newsletter. Finally, Oz books and merchandise can also be purchased through The Oz Collector ( a catalogue published quarterly ), or our online store. Books of Wonder ' in partnership with HarperCollins Publishers ' publishes the Books of Wonder Classics: deluxe gift editions of timeless stories, lavishly illustrated with full-color plates and black-and-white drawings. There are nearly sixty titles in the series including Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, The Jungle Book, The Story of Dr. Doolittle, Black Beauty and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The newest editions, issued in fall of 2000, include Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon and Bram Stoker's Dracula, illustrated by Barry Moser. All titles in the Books of Wonder Classics library are available for purchase in our New York City store and at our online store. Another significant feature at Books of Wonder is the extensive collection of old, rare and first edition titles ' many signed by the author or illustrator ' all available for purchase. Some examples of the sort of books one can find in our old and rare book department are 19th century editions of classic Grimm and Andersen fairy tales, early editions of The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew and such beloved classics as Eloise, Paddington Bear, The Story of Babar, A Wrinkle in Time and many more. Prices range from ten dollars to several hundred dollars with some even in the thousands! Many customers find a special joy in giving gifts from their own childhood. Antique books also make memorable holiday and birthday gifts as well as gifts for a baby's christening and other special occasions. Finally, Books of Wonder is also one of the nations leading dealers in original children's book art. The paintings and drawings which are created to illustrate children's books have a power to enchant, excite, and delight which reproduction can only partially convey, so the opportunity to own and enjoy the original art is a special joy. Among the talented artists we represent are Caldecott Medal winners Leo & Diane Dillon, Paul O. Zelinsky, and Trina Schart Hyman, as well as celebrated artists Michael Hague, Mark Teague, Michael Foreman and Troy Howell. In addition to these modern masters, Books of Wonder is also pleased to offer original illustrations by some of the great artists of the past. Among the artists whose work we have been pleased to offer are Arthur Rackham, Randolph Caldecott, Harry Clarke, Walter Crane, Beatrix Potter, Ludwig Bemelmans, Dorothy Lathrop, W. Heath Robinson, and Peter Newell. So whether you're looking for the latest in children's books, classics from the past, the joys of the world of Oz, or great children's book art, Books of Wonder is your source for the very finest in the world of children's books.