Bill Peet tells his life story, including his years with Disney, with illustrations on every page.
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reviews
Sep 01, 2008
Kerry
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How many biographies are illustrated by the author and renowned artist himself? I saw an exhibit of many of his illustrations at the Art Institute of Chicago and decided to read this book because I liked the exhibit and his stories so well.
This is a fun look at a boy from Indiana who loved animals and drawing, but didn't fathom a career in the art world. It chronicles how he went on to work for Walt Disney in California and write and illustrate several books. I particularly liked More...
This is a fun look at a boy from Indiana who loved animals and drawing, but didn't fathom a career in the art world. It chronicles how he went on to work for Walt Disney in California and write and illustrate several books. I particularly liked More...
Jun 12, 2011
Ethan
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This was another fun, quick read. There is a little more text than most of his books, but the whole thing is illustrated, so if you like Bill Peet's work you'll like this.
Rather than an exhaustive auto-biography, this is more of a quick skim over his life, with a focus on the time he worked for Disney, starting as an in-betweener and working his way up to writing full screenplays and doing all the storyboarding for 101 Dalmatians and Sword in the Stone.
I do think it odd tha More...
Rather than an exhaustive auto-biography, this is more of a quick skim over his life, with a focus on the time he worked for Disney, starting as an in-betweener and working his way up to writing full screenplays and doing all the storyboarding for 101 Dalmatians and Sword in the Stone.
I do think it odd tha More...
Jun 24, 2010
Emily
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Fun autobiography written and illustrated by a children's book author/illustrator. While the story of Bill Peet's life is interesting - I had no idea he'd worked for Disney for 27 years! - the illustrations are the reason to read this book. Bill Peet's first love was obviously drawing. The text, while simple and sometimes amusing, just doesn't hold a candle to the fantastic and fantastical illustrations.
I appreciate Mr. Peet's humility. He is the man behind the "boy meets gi More...
I appreciate Mr. Peet's humility. He is the man behind the "boy meets gi More...
Feb 22, 2010
Kelly
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Bill Peet is probably my favorite children's book author and illustrator, and has been since I was a little girl. My children love his books today. If you have children, I highly recommend you add Bill Peet books to your collection. A couple favorites to start with are Smokey, Hungry Harold, Kermit the Hermit, Katy the Caboose, The Luckiest One of All, Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent, and Capyboppy. Peet is a fantastic illustrator and a humorous and fun storyteller.
Peet's autobi More...
Peet's autobi More...
Apr 20, 2010
Megan
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In grade school I was given the assignment of reading a biography or autobiography for a book report. Armed with my library card, and a determination to find something about Dr. Seuss, I was gently steered by the local librarian to this wonderful book by artist Bill Peet. Over the years, I have read and re-read it many times, and now a copy of it sits in my home library...
Bill Peet is a famous children's author and illustrator, who worked on such books as "The Caboose Who Got More...
Bill Peet is a famous children's author and illustrator, who worked on such books as "The Caboose Who Got More...
Jul 26, 2009
Sherry
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Bill Peet worked for Walt Disney Studios nearly 30 years, having been hired the year Snow White came out (1937). His art was consistent and creative from the beginning, yet he didn't get screen credit until many years, and pictures, later. Around the time he finally got credit, he often was asked to create "story" and manage other jobs on the picture as well. Its a credit to his character and his love of the job that he stayed as long as he did, as I got the feeling that he often f
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Oct 10, 2010
Patty
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Award winning children's author Bill Peet wrote his autobiography as he wrote his books, aimed at children and heavily illustrated. He started out as a serious painter, was a long-time (26 years) illustrator for Walt Disney and concluded his career writing picture books for children. The story is well told, although not a lot of detail since it is aimed at children. His time with Disney is fascinating since he worked on most of the famous feature length films after Sleeping Beauty. He did wo
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Mar 27, 2011
Kapila
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Did you know that Bill Peet worked for Walt Disney for 27 years before he became an established, full-time picture book writer? He worked on movies such as Peter Pan, Cinderella, Pinocchio, and Jungle Book...and he came up with the idea of the song Bare Necessities. If you like reading about the life of a creative cartoonist and author, and if you like reading stories about real and famous people who have adventures, ups and downs in their lives, then give this book a try. The book goes quickly
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Sep 10, 2010
Jeri
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I read hundreds of books to my children as they were growing up and Bill Peet books were my favorites! It was fun to learn all about Bill Peet's career; I was aware that he had worked for Disney but didn't know he was instrumental on many, many of the animated films! I can recognize now, many of the characters he drew! And it was amazing to find out that he wrote the screenplay for One Hundred and One Dalmations and drew all of the storyboard characters, as well. Interesting to read about wh
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Jun 14, 2008
Tracey
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A Caldecott Honor book, this book covers Bill Peet's life and career in an informal, easy-to-read format. Profusely illustrated, mostly with sketches, but Peet includes some of his paintings as well.
A Hoosier, Peet grew up in Indianapolis, with summer excursions to family farms. He dedicates about a third of the book to his childhood overall, painting a vivid picture of growing up during the 1920's and 1930's, discussing his obsession with drawing all through this period. After att More...
A Hoosier, Peet grew up in Indianapolis, with summer excursions to family farms. He dedicates about a third of the book to his childhood overall, painting a vivid picture of growing up during the 1920's and 1930's, discussing his obsession with drawing all through this period. After att More...
Jul 25, 2011
Laura
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Bill Peet recounts his life story, detailing his childhood love of drawing and his eventual success as a children's author.. The whole book is illustrated just as one of his picture books would be-- black and white drawings throughout, with typed text above or below the drawings. The meatiest parts of the book detail his years working at Walt Disney's studios. This autobiography will appeal to creative kids who love to dream and draw, and children who love Bill Peet's books.
Dec 13, 2010
Cassie
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I never thought that I would love an autobiography so much. Bill Peet started his autobiography with his grade school experience in drawing and how he already developed a love for it. He continues on to when he first started working for Disney. He explains how he was able to make his dreams come true even though he had a lot of trials. The illustrations are magnificent and the reading is fairly easy. I finished it in a day... then again it completely drew me in.
Sep 07, 2011
Zack
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Gee whiz, what a good book. Read about what it was like to be a struggling artist during the Great Depression. I especially like how Peet doesn't sanitize his life story to make it "suitable" for children: between the runaway father and a grim focus on death in his early paintings to the frustrating side of working with the man Walt Disney (who was really a grouch, sort of), Peet takes his audience seriously. Lovely! It makes me want to go back and read all his picture books.
Jun 01, 2009
Patty
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My daughter, 11, needed to read an autobiography for school. We were having a hard time finding books that were on her reading level and interesting to her. When we asked a librarian she recommended this book. She really enjoyed it. I couldn't help picking it up myself.
Loved the drawings in the book. They made the book come to life. I would have liked to hear more about Bill's home life, but this was a very interesting way to do his work life.
Loved the drawings in the book. They made the book come to life. I would have liked to hear more about Bill's home life, but this was a very interesting way to do his work life.
Jan 26, 2012
Ashley
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I read this book probably 50 times in 5th grade. Bill Peet was a children's book author and Disney illustrator/story board writer, and this autobiography tells his life story with wonderful charm. Each page is fully illustrated in classic Bill Peet style, and his story is engaging and funny. It's great for the Disney-lover, too, as Peet talks extensively about the Walt Disney. Just as good to me in 2012 as it was in 1995.
Nov 16, 2010
Susan
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Despite a young audience target, this illustrated autobiography is an enjoyable read. Perhaps more so because of the addition of this talented artist's renderings, but Peet doesn't hold back while telling it as he sees it, so to speak. Perhaps it is fortunate that Peet wrote it when he did because I fear that in today's world he would have been requested to *tone down* some of his memories.
Feb 27, 2010
Laura
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This was a GREAT book! I've loved Bill Peet's stories since I was a child. So I really enjoyed hearing the story of Bill Peet's life and how he came to be a children's book writer and illustrator. The best part of this book is that every page has an illustration! Over 200 of them!
I especially enjoyed the stories of when he worked for Walt Disney. I got a very interesting view of Disney from this book. Bill Peet based the Character of Merlin in The Sword in the Stone on his impre More...
I especially enjoyed the stories of when he worked for Walt Disney. I got a very interesting view of Disney from this book. Bill Peet based the Character of Merlin in The Sword in the Stone on his impre More...
Apr 02, 2009
Lars
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If you were to read only one Bill Peet book (and why would you only read one?), this is the one. Completely pleasing, it's a perfect marriage of illustration and text. Peet struggles to find his place as an artist while never losing the nearly naive sense of wonder and humor that fills all his work. Plus you get an insider look at the inner workings of the nascent Walt Disney empire.
Apr 20, 2011
SmarterLilac
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Great stuff. I was fascinated to read about the life of this terrific author I have loved for so long. Amazingly, he managed to communicate his story, which had so many sad moments, (especially the part about his father abandoning the family after WWI) in a way I know would be accessible and interesting to all children at the target age level. Very few authors could do the same.
Dec 26, 2010
10-11 Quinn
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I had no idea who Bill Peet was until I read this book and I ended up loving it. I thought that the book was good wasnt funny but it kept me wanting to read it until I finished it but when I did I was glad. Bill worked for disney,and he was a great drawer always wanted to draw so when that he grew up he may become a professional artist or may even write and illistrate books.
Aug 09, 2010
Jenn
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This was Matt's favorite children's book author, so it was fun for me to find out about his life. The autobiography is illustrated and has gigantic print, so it's just a committment of about and hour or two:) An interesting read b/c he worked with Walt Disney for a long time, so he gave insights into the man & the company.
Dec 18, 2011
Lyf
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I'm a huge fan of Bill Peet and this auto-biography is good but I would have liked a bit more from him; especially how he came to be such an environmentalist.
The illustrations are great: absolutely perfect Peet! Bill's story is interesting; he tempers the difficulties he faced with subtle humor and good illustrations.
The illustrations are great: absolutely perfect Peet! Bill's story is interesting; he tempers the difficulties he faced with subtle humor and good illustrations.
Nov 27, 2011
Julie
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I LOVE Bill Peet books. He's my favorite children's author and I've read and loved nearly all his books. I found a couple on here I haven't read yet and they are now on my list. This autobiography was really fun to read with his fantastic illustrations on every page.
Nov 09, 2011
Jade
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The story about a man who started off as just a regular kid in a small town and grew up to work for Disney studios as an artist. Though it is lengthy, I think it would be great book to inspire students. I could lead this lesson into a discussion about future dreams.
Jul 07, 2009
Audrey
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BIOGRAPHY
I was kind of disappointed. I liked the illustrations and the story was entertaining but I would rather not see Walt Disney in the way Bill portrayed him. Some unhealthy family elements; don't know if it would be suitable for all children.
I was kind of disappointed. I liked the illustrations and the story was entertaining but I would rather not see Walt Disney in the way Bill portrayed him. Some unhealthy family elements; don't know if it would be suitable for all children.
Mar 14, 2009
Karrie
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I thoroughly enjoyed this Newbery Honor Award winner, but that's because Bill Peet is one of my favorite children's authors. I especially enjoyed all the pictures that accompanied the text because many of them are in his other books in one form or another. The text is accessible to middle school readers, but I'm not sure many middle school students would actually read it. The Bill Peet books I've read to my children and classes are younger, so I'm not sure a student in 6th or 7th grade would
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Jul 29, 2011
Mckinley
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While he did write and illustrate children's books along with working on many Disney films, I don't think this is much of a children's story. However, there are a lot of great drawings in it which is perhaps why it's received Caldecott honor.
May 18, 2009
Duane
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This is a great autobiography on Bill Peet because it includes wonderful illustrations by the author. Done is a picture book format, the author starts with his boyhood in Indiana to his days working for Disney in California. A great read.
Jan 04, 2009
Bob
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By my favorite author as a child who shares every bit of wit, style, and talent as the more heralded Dr. Seuss. Oh to imagine what Disney might have become had not talents like Mr. Peet been run-off by the madman Walt himself...
Jul 13, 2009
Heather
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Fascinating and beautiful to look at. Although many children may be unfamiliar with Bill's picture books, I think they will be intrigued by his work at Disney and may then be interested in reading some of his books.
