Disney Parks Presents: The Haunted Mansion

Disney Parks Presents

by Buddy Baker, James Gilleard (Illustrator)

The song "Grim Grinning Ghosts," composed in the late 1960s, continues to reside in the dark corridors and spooky cemetery of the Haunted Mansion. Millions of guests leave the mansion with not only a hitchhiking ghost but also this jaunty tune catching a ride all the way home.
In this hardcover jacketed picture book, James Gilleard's shadowy, textured illustrations accompany the lyrics of the classic song, and together they take readers on a guided tour deeper and deeper into the mansion, from the portrait gallery and seance room to the grand hall, the creepy attic, and more.
This charming picture book includes a CD featuring the song "Grim Grinning Ghosts."

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Paranormal, Ghosts, Horror, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 5, 2016

Reviews

[Coos Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿Escucharon alguna vez aquél clásico pegadizo y halloweenezco de Disney llamado "Grim Grinning Ghosts"? Este libro es básicamente la letra del mismo acompañado por unas coloridas y macabras ilustraciones de James Gilleard, por ende, es un libro corto y agradable a la vista. Y como plus, incluye el cd con la maravillosa y espectral melodía para escuchar mientras se hace el recorrido visual del libro. Es ideal para fanáticos y coleccionistas de Disney.

[Freddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inclusion of the CD with "Grim Grinning Ghosts" is a nice inclusion and I can imagine it's enjoyable to follow along with a child, but the fact that the narrative of the book is strictly the lyrics of the song is a bit of a disappointment. For a book titled The Haunted Mansion and not Grim Grinning Ghosts, it would've been nice to have the voiceover from the ride itself as the narrative and perhaps present the song in one or two pages. What keeps the book from being a disappointment though, is the artwork and presentation. The design work, character models, and color palette on each page are excellent and stay true to the tone and look of the ride: creepy, yet accessible to younger children.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

What came first the book or the movie?

No, seriously. Someone tell me. It'll effect the rating...

The books not bad. I like the color and the white text on the dark pages. It's also nice how the text is flowy, kind of like the way ghosts float through the pages. Small let down, well no, big let down that the ghosts aren't actually metallic looking the cover suggests they might be.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art tho… 🤩💀👻

[Alexis Verzal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved going on this ride when I was in Disney world last year

[Paul Orsino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haunted Mansion has appeared in many forms of media over the years, from comic books to its very own feature motion picture. But now, it has been beautifully illustrated into a picture book. Disney Parks Presents: The Haunted Mansion includes a CD copy of “Grin Grinning Ghosts” and takes readers on an adventure through the Haunted Mansion. James Gilleard’s illustrations perfectly capture the fun and excitement of this ride. This book is beautifully designed and full of Disney magic. Those who are familiar with the attraction and its lore will recognize iconic scenes and characters such as Madame Leota and the séance room, the Hatbox Ghost, and the ever popular Hitchhiking Ghosts.

Disney Parks Presents: The Haunted Mansion is the perfect book for fans of sing-alongs, beautiful artwork, or those counting down the days until their next Disney vacation.

Full review here!: http://www.bookbuddyblog.com/book-rev...

[DAISY READS HORROR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased this book at Scare LA. I admit I was super excited to have found a children's book to read to my daughter about one of my favorite Disneyland rides of all time. I love the whole concept behind the Haunted Mansion so I knew I had to have this for my collection. It did not dissapoint. It came with a CD that I have not listed to yet but the artwork inside are so colorful! My daughter LOVED screaming over the pictures. What a fun read this was! I paid full publisher's price for it and it was sooooo worth it!

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book. Illustrates the lyrics to the Haunted Mansion theme. Comes with CD. Really perfect for fans and fun for a haunted holiday. Wish it contained a glossary in the back, geared toward young readers.

[Robert Ellington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with Susan Faith.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! We’re continuing our countdown to Halloween with a review of Disney Parks Presents: The Haunted Mansion, featuring the classic theme park song by Buddy Baker and Xavier Atencio and illustrations by James Gilleard!

Along with the included CD, this musical picture book takes readers on a spooky journey through Disney’s infamous Haunted Mansion. Using the classic lyrics of “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” the official theme song of the popular Disney attraction, the reader follows the same ghosts, ghouls, and ghastly sites as the ride, from the Hall of Portraits all the way to the hitchhiking specters at the exit gates, providing plenty of creepy fun along the way.

For such a simple concept, I was blown away by how well this worked as a picture book! Since the Disney rides all have some sort of narrative, it makes total sense that it could be translated to a children’s book. But a clever and unexpected element were the illustrations capturing the many visual gags, memorable tableaus and unique characters that the ride is known for, all in a very creepy yet fun style that really brings each character to new (after)life. It builds a story that is as wonderfully entertaining for both fans of the ride and those who are completely unfamiliar with it, which is the ideal balance. The lyrics of the song can be a bit tripping if you’re reading without singing and are unfamiliar with the song, but as there is a CD included, this seems like a minor issue easily rectified. The length is great, and JJ and I had tons of fun with this one. A must-read for Disney Parks fans, or wonderful spooky offering for anyone who enjoys a ghostly tale. Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Mama Bibliosoph · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever been to Disneyland or Disney World and ridden the Haunted Mansion ride, you've probably also found yourself ear-wormed by the extremely catchy song, "Grim Grinning Ghosts."

My wife is a Disney aficionado, so I've been to the parks more than the average Jane, and the Haunted Mansion is hands-down my favorite ride. It's impossible for me to be truly objective about this book, but I must tell you, I love it.

The book comes with a CD so you can learn the song (and listen to the amazing music) if you don't already know it.

The picture book itself is a tour of the ride. Scene by scene the book takes you through the majority of rooms you encounter in the mansion, from the Stretching Room and its iconic paintings to the Corridor of Doors with the famous purple wallpaper, through the Séance Circle, the birthday banquet in the Grand Hall, and so forth. I didn't try this, but I strongly suspect that The Haunted Mansion could serve as a pseudo-social story for a family traveling to a Disney park. (My kids have no ride anxiety, so I didn't need to prepare them.)

Disney Parks has also published books based on the Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise rides, also with CDs, featuring the "Yo-Ho!" song for the Pirates of the Caribbean and a pun-filled narration for Jungle Cruise.
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I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer post on books about singalong books: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/40-sin...

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for anyone who loves the Disney ride. The illustrations are delightfully ghoulish with all the familiar happy haunts floating around. Fans of the ride will recognize all the different scenes as you travel through the book which weaves through the house and surrounding graveyard just like a Doom Buggy. Even those who have not been on the ride can appreciate the ghostly story and slightly eerie scenes which are appropriate for even young children. We find it hard to just read the book though. The text is the lyrics to the song "Grim Grinning Ghosts" and if you know the tune, it is nearly impossible to not get a musical lilt in your voice. Our family of Disney fans suggests adding this to your collection of haunted October reads.

[Sandra Girard-Demontigny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un livre avec de belles illustrations des scènes populaires dans le manège de la Maison hantée à Walt Disney World. J'ai la chanson dans la tête maintenant et je voudrais aller faire un tour du manège de la Maison hantée !

A beautifully illustrated novel of all the scenes in the popular ride at Walt Disney World the Haunted Mansion. I have the song stuck in my head now and I wanna ride the Haunted Mansion!

[Punkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
Gorgeous artwork with a color palette that makes me want to jump inside the book and live there! A wonderful addition to anyone's Disney collection. As a special bonus included is a copy of the song, "Grim Grinning Ghosts". So sit back, relax, and "Rest in peace, the haunting's free".

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disneyland fans will appreciate revisiting the Haunted Mansion in this spooky picture book. Lyrics from "Grim Grinning Ghosts" accompany charmingly illustrated scenes from the ride. It will make readers want to "Hurry back, hurry ba-aaack!" to Disneyland for another visit.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know what, I did not like one single thing about this book. And not just because I'm a fan of neither Disney nor Halloween. I read it for a Haunted House challenge and there's really not much about the house, even. Would work better for a Ghost challenge.

[Emily]

I couldn't pass this up when I saw it on the Halloween table at Barnes and Noble since it's one of my favorite rides at Disney. The illustrations are very pretty.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are truly superb!!

[Buffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and my Pirates book are hands down the best purchase I’ve ever made at Disneyland. This book features pictures from the ride and the “story” is the song Grim Grinnin Ghosts.

[Cori Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 2016
A fun book that even comes with a CD! I'm all for texts that support multiple modalities! Great illustrations, too.

[Katie Solt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun it make me feel like on the ride. It one of my favorite ride at Disney world.

[Raven Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and I love the Song on the CD, very cute, perfect for a sing-a-long story time.

[Edna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with my kiddo again. We have read this multiple times. He is a huge fan of the ride and movie. We both enjoy the book as well. It is beautifully illustrated and just fun.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is so beautifully illustrated, it brings out my memories of being on the ride and singing along. Love it

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the words of the song, but the illustrations are excellent. I checked the book out of the library, and it came with a CD of the song.

[Charleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charleston loves to hear Mom & Dad sing this song. He contributes with a "muhhaaahhahhaahhaa."

[Bre-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 on the basis of it being an excellent homage to the ride. The text is the lyrics to Grim Grinning Ghosts and the art is gorgeous!

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations were bold, detailed, and exotic, full of rich details and delicious textures! Each spread is a masterpiece that tells its own story. The colors are easily my favorite part!

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I liked when you were singing and when the ghosts were glowing. The ghost lady tried to blow the candles out but she dead.” -Luke

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

999 grim, grinning ghost haunt the Haunted Mansion. They materialize and come out to socialize. This book takes the popular Disney parks lyrics to the popular song and put them to pictures. The illustrations are vividly detailed, full of deep rich coloring, and complement the lyrics well. The lyrics are broken up in simple ways to encourage rhyming patterns in young children. Included is a CD that includes the song. This is a great addition to any read aloud collection.

This book is featured on The Keepers of the Books' March Picture Books Book Haul episode. For more book reviews, recommendations, or online librarian advice, please visit us at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK3v...