The art of the Disney Golden Books

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown Kids Books 4-week checkout	Y 741.642 Di	4-week checkout	Due 05-09-2024

"Walt Disney once wisely said, "There is more treasure in books than in all pirates' loot on Treasure Island and at the bottom of the Spanish Main. and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life." No doubt Walt was referring to the intangible wealth of opportunities for learning and imagining inherent in the act of reading, but when one considers the vibrant art and gilded spines of the Disney Golden Books, Walt's pronouncement takes on a parallel meaning. For perhaps no other children's books are as cherished and collected-as though they were doubloons and jewels-than the Disney Golden Books. The history of these books began in 1933, when the president of Whitman Publishing wrote a letter to Walt Disney. Whitman had already published compilations of the "Dick Tracy" and "Little Orphan Annie" comic strips, and these Big Little Books had met with great success. The publisher proposed a similar collection of the "Mickey Mouse" comic strips, and offered a royalty of one-half percent per book. Walt agreed, and a new era in Disney publishing commenced. A remarkable lineup of talent, many of whom were Disney Studio artists- including Mary Blair, Alice and Martin Provensen, Gustaf Tenggren, Al Dempster, Retta Scott Worcester, and Bill Peet-created the illustrations for the early Disney Golden Books. The bold and incredibly detailed artwork was painstakingly executed in gouache and watercolor-media that required a steady hand and immense patience and precision. The resulting publications became favorite selections in the libraries of many children, among them, future generations of Disney and Pixar artists who were inspired to draw, dream, and later, create their own films and Golden Books. The Art of the Disney Golden Books celebrates a legacy that has now thrived for more than eighty years and continues to influence new generations of artists and filmmakers. Through interviews with contemporary animators who recall tracing the characters in their childhood Disney Golden Books, paintings by artists who influenced and inspired the Disney Golden Book illustrations, and a generous complement of Golden Book artwork-much of which was thought to have been lost until very recently-the rich tradition of the series is explored in this vibrant volume. From Peter Pan and Cinderella to Toy Story and Tangled, the Disney Golden Books are displayed in all their glory, evoking a poignant sense of wonder and nostalgia. For as long as parents and children partake in the ritual of reading together at bedtime, the Disney Golden Books will continue to be published, enjoyed, and treasured"-- Provided by publisher.
"A remarkable lineup of talent, many of whom were Disney Studio artists-- including Mary Blair, Alice and Martin Provensen, Gustaf Tenggren, Al Dempster, Retta Scott Worcester, and Bill Peet--created the illustrations for the early Disney Golden Books. The bold and incredibly detailed artwork was painstakingly executed in gouache and watercolor--media that required a steady hand and immense patience and precision. The resulting publications became favorite selections in the libraries of many children, among them, future generations of Disney and Pixar artists who were inspired to draw, dream, and later, create their own films and Golden Books. The Art of the Disney Golden Books celebrates a legacy that has now thrived for more than eighty years and continues to influence new generations of artists and filmmakers. Through interviews with contemporary animators who recall tracing the characters in their childhood Disney Golden Books, paintings by artists who influenced and inspired the Disney Golden Book illustrations, and a generous complement of Golden Book artwork--much of which was thought to have been lost until very recently--the rich tradition of the series is explored in this vibrant volume. From Peter Pan and Cinderella to Toy Story and Tangled, the Disney Golden Books are displayed in all their glory, evoking a poignant sense of wonder and nostalgia. For as long as parents and children partake in the ritual of reading together at bedtime, the Disney Golden Books will continue to be published, enjoyed, and treasured"-- Provided by publisher.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Summary / Annotation
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Beautiful & Informative submitted by Meginator on July 11, 2023, 11:00pm While this book does have an element of the puff piece to it in its effusive praise of Disney animation and illustration, that praise is well-earned and is explained through personal anecdotes that may well mirror readers’ own recollections of Little Golden Books. The various chapters cover the history of Disney’s partnership with the various publishers who have overseen the Little Golden Books line, the artists who brought these stories to vibrant visual life, and the lasting influence these storybooks have had on contemporary artists. The text itself is accessible and fairly casual with a nice balance of technical information and storytelling; as someone familiar with the books but not at all with visual art theory, I learned a lot about composition and color simply from seeing those elements reflected by the artists Solomon interviewed for the book. Sure, this history probably exists somewhat as a vehicle for increasing demand for Disney’s Little Golden Books, but it makes a compelling case for the series’s lasting importance and influence that is construed generously for a broad audience. If you’ve ever enjoyed the books, or if you’re particularly interested in the history of mid-20th-century children’s literature, this is a great entry point.