Some books change everything. This is the case of The Happiest Place on Earth--The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland by Don Hahn and Christopher Merritt.

If you have to own only one book about the creation of Disneyland, this is the one to get.

It is massive, full of artwork and photos that I had never seen before, and the text is meticulously researched and dispels several myths while also telling many new stories.

This is Disney history art its best: incredible illustrations and in-depth research. 

Chris Merritt and Don Hahn are not just immensely talented artists they are also among the best Disney historians alive.

Way to go! More, more!!!

 

This just in from Heritage Auctions:

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Reception
Thursday, June 5 | 6 - 8:30 PM
100 Premier Highlights for Preview

Heritage Auctions
9478 West Olympic, First Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

RSVP@HA.com or 310-492-8630

This just in: A new website featuring Disney Legend Marc Davis' personal artwork has been launched by his family and can be accessed at this link. 

I just received my copy of The Art of Elio, and once again this book by Chronicle Books is a winner that deserves to be added to your library.

I was particularly charmed by the concepts for the alien world by Juliette Oberndorfer and Maria Lee and by the designs of the ambassadors Questa and Helix.

The book is pure eye candy and I am hoping that I will also adore the movie itself. Fingers crossed! 

I just received a copy of Adventures in Childhood by Jose Bellido and Kathy Bowrey. It is a very specialized book which deals with intellectual property and children's entertainment.

I am flagging it here because it contains several chapters related to Disney, including a particularly interesting one about the troubled relationship between Disney and the Great Ormond Street Hospital related to Peter Pan.

As always, my friend Jose Bellido and his colleague Kathy Bowrey have really done their homework and I discovered a lot that I did not know in this volume!

 

Back in 2017, Heritage Auctions sold a large collection of documents pertaining to the estate of composer Carl Stalling, including photographs and--most importantly--correspondence between Stalling and Walt Disney.

If you bought this collection at the time and are reading this post, could you please, please email me at didier.ghez@gmail.com?

This just in from Amidi Amidi:

- New Biography Of Iconoclast Disney Director And Animator Ward Kimball To Be Published In 2026