Walt's Imagination: The Life of Walt Disney

by Doreen Rappaport, John Pomeroy (Illustrations)

An inspiring picture book biography of legendary leader in entertainment, Walt Disney, by the critically-acclaimed author of the Big Words series.

Walt Disney's name is synonymous with family entertainment. Mickey Mouse, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , Bambi , Disneyland, and numerous other creations have inspired generations of children the world over. From his childhood in rural Missouri to his legendary stature as a film and television icon, Walt governed his life with imagination, ingenuity, and scrupulous attention to detail. Faced with both public failures and massive success, he revolutionized the art form of animation, always seeking innovative solutions, cutting edge technology, and new ways of storytelling. Devoted to perfection, Walt was not always easy to work with, but no one can deny his profound talent and impact. Charting Walt's progression from farm boy to actor to artist, animator, director, and entertainment celebrity, Walt's own words are presented and contextualized within Doreen Rappaport's signature compelling prose. Illustrated with vivid authenticity by animator/painter John Pomeroy, this stunning entry in the award-winning Big Words series reveals a man of deep and varied passions with a constantly evolving vision, and a storyteller above all.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Juvenile, Biography Memoir

48 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2018

About the author

Doreen Rappaport has written many books of fiction and nonfiction for young readers, specializing in thoroughly researched multicultural history, historical fiction, retellings of folktales and myths, and stories of those she calls the "not-yet-celebrated." Among her recent books is Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, which received a Caldecott Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration. Doreen Rappaport divides her time between New York City and a rural village in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen does a great job with her biographies for kids. They aren't like Brad Meltzer who is aiming at a younger audience, these are meant for a bit older child and they are a little more serious. It is a longer story and she gives plenty of stories and facts about the man who create an empire on imagination.

John Pomeroy does a great job of taking his drawings and then adding in Walt's beloved characters into the story in a whimsical way. It's a lovely dedication to Walt.

Walt was a very hard worker and he wouldn't let anyone tell him he couldn't do something, he always found a way to make his dreams come to reality. Mostly, it all worked. I don't think I knew that he was in the Red Cross in WWI stationed in France. He was only 17. That is a new bit to me. He would draw his cartoons on tanks and anything to bring levity to those around him.

I also find it so amazing that he made it through the depression. How did people have money to go see movies during that time, but he continued making movies. I mean he made so many during that time. His studio was a busy bee.

I still love Disney and I love the studio's modern musicals. I can hear the first few notes to Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Frozen, or Aladdin and I can sing the whole thing. I would say that he helped to shape the modern world we now live in. He shaped our imagination and kids began dreaming big. What a gift to the world.

The kids love Disney and so they thought this was long, but interesting. The book mentions the silly symphony of the 3 little pigs and that is one of my nephews favorite shorts to watch. He started singing with it. It also mentioned the skeleton Dance short, the 1st silly symphony and both kids knew that short too and had to watch it after that. The nephew gave this 3 stars.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Walt Disney's life story is told in this picture book featuring long textual passages (which include actual quotes from Mr. Disney) and beautiful illustrations. The story begins with Disney's childhood in Marceline, Missouri and continues to his creation of Disneyland. The story mysteriously ends before Disneyland opens, Walt Disney World is even mentioned, or Walt Disney passes away. There are author's and illustrator's notes in the back, as well as suggestions for further reading in case you, too, realize the book didn't give you the whole story.

My initial excitement for this book was quickly dampened as I started reading it out loud to my kids. Not only is the text fairly long, its also pretty dry and for all that--incomplete. The story ends so abruptly I can't help but suspect they've forgotten the last two or three pages. The only saving grace to this book is the beautiful illustrations. The writing leaves more than a little to be desired. And ending the entire thing with "Today there are twelve Disney theme parks around the world with many rides and stores" is insulting to the memory of Walt Disney and its embarrassing to realize the Disney publishing house is behind this.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of info was given that I didn't know. My biggest complaint was how they explained he didn't have money for all the things he was making (even though they were winning awards) and then suddenly he was building Disneyland. There was something missing there.

[RWaggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between a kid’s book and a biography, this book had lots of facts but not much magic. Like that it included Walt’s quotes. The other text was boring though- short, simple sentences and very little detail.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This condensed story of Walt Disney's life gives young readers a glimpse into his history. The illustrations are vibrant and keep the reader's interest as one travels through Walt's journey from boyhood to global success.

[Beth Ann McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are fantastic!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rappaport, Doreen Walt's Imagination: The Life of Walt Disney, illustrated by John Pomeroy. NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK. Disney Hyperion, 2018. $19. 9781423184706.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL, MS - AVERAGE

Walt Disney's life story is told in this picture book featuring long textual passages (which include actual quotes from Mr. Disney) and beautiful illustrations. The story begins with Disney's childhood in Marceline, Missouri and continues to his creation of Disneyland. The story mysteriously ends before Disneyland opens, Walt Disney World is even mentioned, or Walt Disney passes away. There are author's and illustrators notes in the back, as well as suggestions for further reading in case you, too, realize the book didn't give you the whole story.

My initial excitement for this book was quickly dampened as I started reading it out loud to my kids. Not only is the text fairly long, its also pretty dry and for all that--incomplete. The story ends so abruptly I can't help but suspect they've forgotten the last two or three pages. I feel like appeal for this topic will be high no matter what--people of all ages continue to be interested in and fans of Walt Disney--and the illustrations are beautiful here, thus the OPTIONAL rating instead of a NO.

Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[EMMANUEL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first exposed and introduced a biography about Walt Disney in my junior year in high school. It was in my AP USA HISTORY class. I was shown the socially controversial animation. I didn’t care much of the “hateful” realities that it caused then, because it wasn’t relevant to my reality today. I couldn’t get myself to be angry about something that I had no clue or I understanding about. My classmates were so avid in being so socially conversed of the socially “unacceptable” products they Disney created than. It was “unethical” they would say. I would disregard what their whole social account was, because I didn’t have any clue of why they wanted to put that out for the people to see, and I still “don’t”. Until I definitively learn “why”... than cool. I learned. Quite honesty I don’t care. It doesn’t affect me in anyway. Keep creating animations Disney. Just stop with the trashy “live action films”. Your literally doing an injustice to Walt Disney by putting out such trash product. He always put out quality products. Shows that “imagination” is gone from the world, which means the world of Disney will be a distant memory of the near past.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Walt wandered the family farm and saw rabbits, foxes, raccoons, bobwhites, crows, and cardinals. He bottle-fed his favorite pig, Skinny, and rode hogs into their muddy pigpens.


Premise/plot: This is a picture book biography of Walt Disney. Though Disney movies might appeal to young toddlers and preschoolers, this picture book biography is best shared with elementary-aged readers with a good-sized attention span. It is TEXT-HEAVY.


My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the illustrations. There is a lot of text--as I mentioned above--but it packed with interesting details and not tedious ones. I also love the inclusion of quotes. The first quote is shared on the opening end pages, "I do not make films primarily for children. I make them for the child in all of us, whether we be six or sixty." I think children's authors often have the same philosophy.



They sure didn't publish biographies like this when I was a 'young reader.'


Text: 4 out of 5

Illustrations: 5 out of 5

Total: 9 out of 10

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book biography of Walt Disney that covers his life from childhood to death, highlighting the highs and lows of his professional life.

I like that this book did a fair representation of Disney. It admits that some people who worked under him didn't like the way he did things, gives credit to many unsung heroes who helped him succeed, but also celebrates his vision and major accomplishments too. It is fantastic that they were able to get a former Disney animator to do the illustrations. Pomeroy's illustrations meld a historical and Disney feel perfectly. Recommended to Disney fans and art lovers.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book, but a bit dry and wordy - and it ends abruptly. It's almost like this is just the first half of what the author turned in, but the publisher decided it was too long and just tried to find the best stopping point for the page limit. (And the stopping point they picked is about merchandising, of course.)

Also....why is the book....backwards? The title and author/illustrator information are on the back cover, and the front cover is just a portrait of Walt Disney with no text at all.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all the fans of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, here is a gorgeously illustrated biography of Walt Disney. I've loved all of the other biographies by Doreen Rappaport, and this one is awesome, too. This book takes readers all through Disney's life in a way that makes him so relatable. There is a time line and list of resources at the end of the book, making this an awesome nonfiction resource to have on the bookshelf.

[Andee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Rappaport's Big Word Biographies and was so excited Walt Disney made the series. It is a very basic biography - but that's to be expected in a book written for elementary kids.

The best part of this book, for me, was the illustration. John Pomeroy has his own story of following his dreams and that did lead to working for the Walt Disney Company. His drawings in this book are frame worthy. I'm glad this is I book I own rather than borrowed.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walt Disney's life story for younger readers- I like that his imagination/cartoons are mixed in the paintings of his biographical life story- like his imagination is coming to life. I also like that every page has actual Walt Disney quotes. My favorite being: " I do not make films primarily for children. I make them for the child in all of us., whether we be six or sixty." Finally, I can stop making excuses for loving Disney :)

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent kids biography, although a little dry. The alternate colored text for direct quotes from Walt was a nice touch and they are interspersed with the text in such a way as to seem natural, as though the author was having an interview with him and the reader was in the audience. The illustrations are beautiful.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward bio of Walt for kids 5-8. The art was lovely, with gorgeous nods to Walt's characters and families of all races depicted. I really liked how each page included 1-2 quotes from Walt about that page's information. Nice book.

[Nicki Roller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biography, 2018
As a Disney lover, this book was so fun to read and taught me new things that I haven’t known before about Walt Disney! The illustrations were also beautiful! I plan on buying this book to have in my own future classroom one day!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kid friendly biography about the life of Walt Disney.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

a bit long and wordy for a picture book but very interesting telling of his life in business

[Brenda Kahn]

Beautifully illustrated picture book biography of Walt Disney with nice backmatter.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Packed with information and good balance of positive and negative opinions of Disney. The writing could’ve been stronger.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have been a 5 star book, but the omission of Oswald brought it down to 4 stars.

[Deb Shambrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice fun book to read. The illustrations are lovely. People of all ages would enjoy this book.

[Camie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Good overview but brief (meant for children).

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief history of Walt Disney's life, from his simple beginnings and all the struggle and imagination that led to the empire we know today.

[Caylee King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this biography. For an adult this biography is perfect. It's not too long but also provides sufficient information and the illustrations are beautiful. However, from a child's perspective, this could be long and wordy. My only 'gripe' is that the text emphasized Walt's lack of finances but was unclear on how he found a solution and continued to build his empire. Other than that one minor detail, I think this is a wonderful biography with vast information, if you are older than roughly 10 years old. Although, if you are just in it for the illustrations then this book is perfectly magical for any age!

There are a few key features of this text which allows it to be wonderful for classroom use. The author's note proves the amount of time, dedication, fascination, and understanding this writer had when it comes to creating an accurate depiction of Walt Disney's life. Meanwhile the illustrators note takes this biography to the next level because they actually work for Disney. These features are great examples to show students the reliability of an author. It also provides a timeline of Walt's life. If using this as a read aloud, I think it would be interesting to have students create a timeline as the book is being read and compare it to the one provided after reading. There are endless activities you could do when it comes to Walt Disney. You could use this as an introduction to biographies and have students write/create their own biography project on a differing individual. You could also use this as an opener to showcase the different parks around the world to show cultural differences. Disney also has many books and movies that could be used as a mixed media comparison lesson. If you're wanting to go all out and have some fun you could take the students to differing parks virtually, have them set up a budget and plan a day at a park (their budget would include tickets, food, souvenirs, etc.). This biography could open the door to endless creative lesson opportunities in a classroom.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don’t record and review picture books, but this one is special. The illustrations from a Disney animator and portrait painter are fantastic; not only Walt but people like Fred Moore and Roy Disney are instantly recognizable. The biographical info is thorough, including a few of the negatives like the writers strike. I like that Walt himself is quoted.

While I do note the following omissions and criticisms, overall, it’s a wonderful biography for kids and Disney fans. I’m going to look for the authors other books. BTW, this one has been remaindered, so it’s inexpensive.

I wish several of the facts presented had included brief but significant details: that the multiplane camera Walt invented produced a layered effect without drawing the backgrounds repeatedly, that Walt won a special Oscar with seven little Oscars for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, that’s Disney also produced live action movies like “Mary Poppins”, that “The Wonderful World of Disney” was mentioned as the anthology series rather than “The Mickey Mouse’s Club”, and that the TV show helped promote and fund Disneyland.

I also agree with other reviewers that the book ends abruptly. I think Walt’s death could have been included, while stating that his dreams continue to grow and delight people around the world, not only with twelve parks but in ongoing movie production, etc.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Of all the things I’ve ever done, I’d like to be remembered as a storyteller.”
I enjoyed this picture book biography of Walt Disney. Such an interesting, creative man who changed entertainment for children through his animated films. I grew up in Southern California and was lucky to visit Disneyland throughout my childhood and as an adult, too. I also remember every Sunday night having dinner at the card table in the den while we watched The Wonderful World of Disney.

This picture book biography gives an overview of Disney’s childhood, getting started as an animator, and gives highlights of his many accomplishments. It also touches briefly on some of the challenges with the artists who worked for him. He was far from perfect, but he vision and creativity has touched so many lives.

I enjoyed reading the backstory of the author and illustrator.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen Rappaport's series of picture book biographies that focus on the big ideas, words, and messages of influential people in history are wonderful! This book joins that wonderful group. The language is both high level and accessible, which is a true talent, and the illustrations work beautifully with the words. I think that anyone that has an interest in the people she has written about or is doing a biography of their own on these people should absolutely use this book in their bibliography. It captures so much that you look at the succinct important details and then use that to build off of from other sources, it is wonderful.