Out April 8, 2014
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.
