Wonderful Wizard of Oz Book Bench
Put on your fantasy spectacles and follow the ‘yellow brick road’ to the entrance of the Pleasanton Library at 400 Bernal Avenue. Come sit on the brightly painted whimsical Wonderful Wizard of Oz Book Bench donated by Dorothy and Roland Broderson and celebrate the 125th anniversary of L. Frank Baum’s children’s classic. Click your heels and discover the courage of the Lion, the intelligence of Scarecrow, and the kind-heartedness of Tin Man. Follow determined Dorothy to her return to Kansas.
The adventure for Artist, Kristen Chase, began in her early years. “I remember grandfather reading an “Oz” book to me as we sat in a quiet corner of the room”. The comfort of his voice unfolded her thoughts. The illustrations of W.W. Denslow made a lasting impression. Kristen Chase obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Art and Graphic Design from California Polytechnic State University. She focused on graphic design. “I always wanted to be a children’s book illustrator.”
Kristen’s life led to motherhood and four children. Later, she was involved in decorative painting and murals for family and friends. The detour took a turn with a commission to paint a fiberglass bench for Danville’s 2023 public art Bound for Books. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted the “Oz” bench to look like a book cover, including the Introduction.” After the public event, the 110 lb bench went to auction and a ruby red-shoed Dorothy Broderson purchased it, eventually donating it to the City of Pleasanton.
The brightly colored “Oz” bench faces North and unfurls pages, revealing the yellow brick road over the precise wording of the introduction. The lower small east panel exposes the stripped legs of the Wicked Witch of the East flattened by Dorothy’s house collapsing on her. Toto, Dorothy’s dog, peeks out of a basket in the small west panel. He also appears on the backrest panel of the bench where Dorothy’s friends signal their desires. Throughout her journey home, Dorothy is tested. Ultimately, she triumphs over evil. Her goodness, with the help of her friends, prevails. The green back of the bench exposes the cover of the book. Look carefully at the spine and you will see the seahorse logo in homage to W.W. Denslow.
Just like Dorothy’s journey to ‘home’, Kristen Chase has returned to her childhood joy of reading and her dream of book illustrator. Through the generosity of Dorothy and Roland Broderson, Dorothy and her friends have found, “There is no place like home” …in Pleasanton.
Jan Coleman-Knight