I was stuck in Buenos Aires over the weekend due to some air controllers' strike in Argentina, but I am now back in Miami.

The upside was that I was able to work on They Drew As They Pleased - Volume 3 and on Walt's People - Volume 18.

The first one of those books will be released in September 2017, the second much earlier: by the end of July 2016.

Closer still on the horizon are two books from Theme Park Press that I helped edit, which will be released by the end of this month:

Animator on Horseback, the autobiography of Mel Shaw (after 11 years of efforts to make this happen) and B-1st, a beautiful children's book written and designed by Woolie Reitherman and Retta Scott at the start of World War I, which will be published for the first time 75 years later!

I just received The Art of Finding Dory. I always enjoy those volumes from Chronicle Books, but this particular book did not strike a chord for your reason. My guess is that I find those art books particularly interesting when they focus on character designs more than on layouts or backgrounds. And the sequel to Finding Nemo does not seem to include many new characters, which probably explains my disappointment.

I have a feeling that I will enjoy The Art of Moana a lot more when it is released.

This just in from Garry Apgar:

[My new book, Mickey Mouse: Emblem of theAmerican Spirit, published by the Walt Disney Family Foundation Press, was reviewed in the June 3rd issue of the Times Literary Supplement. The TLS is England’s, and America’s, oldest publication of its kind, and perhaps the classiest!

In the opening paragraphs, the reviewer had this to say:

   “If optimism is the defining American virtue — and it had better be, you sometimes can’t help feeling — then this book’s central proposition, that the essence of the nation is more fully embodied in one animated rodent than all the flag-hoisters and touch-downers of nearly 250 swaggering years, makes perfect sense. It is hard to avoid a certain feeling of manifest destiny when you are reminded of just how popular Mickey Mouse along with his on-off consort Minnie and all their kith and kin were during the years flanking the Second World War.

   “This engaging and tirelessly informative book is really two volumes in one handy slip-case … The first half narrates the professional life of Walt Disney, from the genesis of his cartooning career in Kansas City to a promising brief first stint in Hollywood, to the happy accident that made sense of it all: the evolution of Mickey from the pooled DNA of various ‘cute’ animals devised by Disney and others to star in the pioneering animated shorts …”

Further along into the review, the critic said: “You wouldn’t expect a book published by the Walt Disney Family Foundation to be overly critical of the maestro … But it is thorough and fine-grained, and fair on the events of Disney’s career.” I’ll take that as a compliment, both for me and the WDFF Press!

On another note: For those of you who live in Connecticut, the cable program “Focus on Connecticut” is scheduled to broadcast an interview with me over the weekend. The interview, which will air several times on Saturday and Sunday, will focus on my article in the April issue of Connecticut Magazine about Walt’s connections with the Nutmeg State. Todd James Pierce is quoted in the article about rumored plans for a Disney park in Connecticut. The interview will run several times over the weekend on News 12, which is part of the Cablevision network. Alas, the TLS review is not available online.]

Not a Disney book, of course, but an upcoming book I can't wait to pick up!

Sadly, this just in: Willis Pyle 1914-2016

From Todd James Pierce:

[For those interested, New England Review just published my narrative essay on Ward Kimball and the making of Snow White. It's written in the same research-oriented narrative style as Three Years in Wonderland. But fair warning, it is the only Disney-related essay in the journal. You can find it at "most" Barnes and Nobles in the periodical section for $12. You can also order one directly for $8 (including shipping). The online form will automatically load with "subscription," but use the pull down menu to select "current issue - $8." It's issue 37:1. The essay runs 14 pages.

Link to discounted rate: http://www.tinyurl.com/F-FNER

Three interesting new books released by Theme Park Press in May:

- FROM HORIZONS TO SPACE MOUNTAIN is the autobiography of Imagineer George McGinnis (Bob Gurr wrote the foreword).

- THE DISNEY APPRENTICE is the (partial) autobiography of another Imagineer, though more of an Imagineering executive, Chuck Shields (Bob Gurr wrote the foreword, X. Atencio provided the cover art).

- MAGICIAN OF THE MOVIES is the re-release of his biography of Walt Disney, from 1966 (and meant for children).

I am back and I have a lot to share with all of you. Let's start with some very time-sensitive news:

There are three major auctions that should note be missed:

- Heritage Auctions on June 11 and 12, which includes the only know example of Kay Nielsen's work on The Reluctant Dragon (above).
- Bonhams with a few beautiful Mary Blairs on June 13.
- Van Eaton Galleries with some absolutely spectacular items (animation, theme parks and overall Disneyana) on June 18.

The blog will be updated again on May 31.

Here is an article published in Brazil in the magazine O Cruzeiro around the time of the release of Saludos Amigos. Quite a few photos that I had not seen before and that I thought you might enjoy.

Amazon France has listed in pre-order a book that will be released by publisher Taschen in October this year. Titled Walt Disney Archives - The Movies, Vol. 1, the book is huge (500-page long). I know a lot more about it than I can reveal. All I can say at the moment is that despite the hefty price tag, this is likely to be a "must have." More about this as soon as some additional official information becomes available.

The same editorial team which publishes the wonderful Carl Barks Fan Club Pictorial magazine has launched a new series of magazines, focused on everything related to Mickey Mouse. The first issue was released this week. I loved it, as it includes a long article about Mickey Mouse postcards from the '30s, some of which I had never seen before.

Walt Disney and Peruvian painter Jose Sabogal in 1941.

While researching something different, I stumbled upon this great photo of Walt in Peru in 1941. He is visiting the School of Fine Arts in Lima, Peru.

There is a caption and another great photo at this link.

This just in from Theme Park Press. Some of those books might be of interest to some of you:

[Follow the Pixie Dust Path

FastPass times. Crowds. Meet and greets. That's what you think when you're at Walt Disney World. (And how much everything costs.) Next time, shoot higher. Packed in with all those souvenirs, leave the park with a philosophy, a guide to a better, Disney-driven life.

Former cast member Jeff Dixon draws upon his degrees in sociology and theology, coupled with a deep understanding of Disney history, to deliver a fun, engrossing mash-up of trivia-dense Disney stories and motivational life lessons, from Main Street to Fantasyland, and everywhere in between.

You'll be enriched by motivational magic from little-known Disney stories about:

- The importance of 18 seconds in the Enchanted Tiki Room, and how a lifetime of hard work can pay off in moments.

- Two Walts and a Wendy, and how mistakes can sometimes bring out the best in us.

- The hidden history of Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square, and how the act of giving defines us.

- The perpetual motion of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and how it symbolizes Walt's admonition to never stand still.

START YOUR DISNEY-DRIVEN LIFE TODAY!]

 [Learn from the Disney Imagineers

Creativity. Innovation. Success. That's Disney Imagineering. It was the Imagineers who brought Walt Disney's dreams to life. Now *you* can tap into the principles of Imagineering to make *your* personal and professional dreams come true.

Even if you're not building a theme park, the Imagineering Pyramid can help you plan and achieve any creative goal. Lou Prosperi designed the pyramid from the essential building blocks of Disney Imagineering. He teaches you how to **apply** the pyramid to your next project, how to **execute** each step efficiently and creatively, and most important, how to **succeed**.

The Imagineering Pyramid is a revolutionary creative framework that *anyone* can use in their daily lives, whether at home or on the job. Prosperi shares with you:

- How to use "The Art of the Show" to stay focused on your mission.

- Practical tutorials for each of the fifteen building blocks that make up the pyramid.

- Creative Intent, Theming, "Read"-ability, Kinetics, Plussing, and other Imagineering concepts.

- Imagineering beyond the berm: how to apply the pyramid to fields as diverse as game design and executive leadership.

- An "Imagineering Library" of books to further your studies.

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY WITH THE DISNEY IMAGINEERS!]

[Put Walt to Work for You

How do you go from dreaming of a theme park to building one? Walt Disney laid the blueprint. Learn how he did it, and how his wisdom can guide you toward achieving the things that *you* dream of.

The experts told Walt it'd never work. A giant theme park, where parents and children could play together? Crazy! So Walt put all of his money into this crazy dream of his. He put his reputation on the line. Anyone else would have quit, discouraged and disillusioned, but Walt built Disneyland. How did he go from dreaming to doing? And how can you do the same, no matter what your goal?

In *The Wisdom of Walt*, Professor Jeffrey Barnes distills Walt Disney's vision, his knowledge, and his methods into a series of actionable lessons. Through historical vignettes about Disneyland, as well as plentiful examples and exercises, Barnes creates a framework through which you can apply Walt's wisdom to improve your career, your company, and your life. Learn to:

- Listen to your "Walter ego" and start trusting yourself

- Go "beyond the berm" with the secrets of Disneyland's success

- Make a "Main Street impression" on everyone you meet

- Create "E-ticket experiences" that keep them coming back for more

WITH THE WISDOM OF WALT, YOUR SUCCESS IS JUST A DREAM AWAY!]

I love Dave Smith's trivia books. I always learn a few things through them and this one is no exception. I just got a review copy and it did not disappoint. Worth picking up when it is officially released in a few weeks.

I just received a copy of the newly released Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland: An Illustrated Journey Through Time by Mark Salisbury. This is typically the type of book I would have loved to get as a kid to introduce me to Disney history and to Disney concept art. Disney historians will find very little new in it (although there are a few pieces by Mary Blair that I do not remember having seen elsewhere and there is one page on the Hudson commercials that did attract my attention) but the book is very nicely produced and quite comprehensive. A really handsome gift for any son, daughter, niece or nephew who enjoys Alice and is starting to develop an interest in Disney history.

This just in from Tim O'Day:

[Thought you might want to highlight the two attached (currently available) magazines on the Disney History blog.

The LIFE special publication focuses solely on Walt Disney and features a beautiful array of stunning LIFE magazine photography of Walt and his many projects through the years.

The May issue of Orange Coast (the official magazine of Orange County, CA) foucuses a little bit on the past but mainly on what’s new and upcoming at Disneyland Resort.]

Granted, this book does not focus on a Disney venture, but so many of the people who worked on Magic Mountain are connected to Disney (CV Wood, Dick Kelsey and quite a few others) that I am certain that many of you will be excited about this new volume by historian Robert McLaughlin.

Do not miss today the interview of Brice Mack by Harvey Deneroff on Cartoon Research.

In Garry Apgar's great article about Walt Disney's connections with Connecticut in the April issue of Connecticut Magazine there is a rich array of illustrations (about 20 in all), including this never-before-published group photo of Walt's Red Cross training unit in Connecticut, generously supplied by the Walt Disney Family Foundation.

Anyone interested in ordering a copy may contact Dave Martin, the publication's circulation manager, at: dmartin@connecticutmag.com 

Walt Disney (top row, center, dwarfed by two men standing to his immediate right) in a photograph of his unit at Camp King, Sound Beach, Connecticut, circa early to mid-November 1918. Courtesy, The Walt Disney Family Foundation, San Francisco, Calif.

Here's a detail, highlighting Walt's position in the picture:

As some of you may have noticed, the Disney Books Network is currently offline. It should be back up by tomorrow morning. Apologies for the trouble.

This just in from Ken Kebow:

[Hello Didier -

I hope this finds you well.  Several years ago we connected about an audio tour I produced with Rolly Crump entitled "A Walk in the Park with Rolly Crump".  You were kind enough to mention the program in your blogs and let Disney fans  worldwide know it was available.  Thank you!

I am happy to report the "second half" of that endeavor is complete and the World Premiere of "Rolly Crump: The Whimsical Imagineer" documentary will take place on April 26th at the
Newport Beach Film Festival.  I have included a link below that covers the premiere as will
as includes a link to the trailer for the documentary:

I am hoping you will be willing to let your on-line fan base know about the completion and premiere of the program and hopefully some of the folks based in Southern California can attend the premiere. I believe Rolly himself will be attending the premiere and will participate in a Q&A after the screening.]

This just in from Mary Costa (click on the image to enlarge).

This delightful web site is definitely worth a visit.

Finalizing the editing of Mel Shaw's long awaited autobiography. Expected release in a few months... Really exciting after all this years trying to get the project off the ground. More soon.

For those of you who read Italian and who love Disney comics: you will want to know that this book was released a few months ago. I am still trying to find out how to buy a copy.

This is a Kickstarter project that I am likely to support next month. The target seems a little high, though!

And here is the last one.

This just in from Julie Svendsen.

James Bodrero by Campbell Grant.

James Bodrero by Jack Miller.

One more from the February 1940 issue of Town and Country.

While researching They Drew As They Pleased - Volume 3, I stumbled upon a series of caricatures of James Bodrero by his Disney Character Model Department colleagues, in the style of some of the most famous masters. All of those caricatures were released in the magazine Town and Country from February 1940. Since those drawings will not appear in They Drew As They Pleased and since I know most of you will enjoy seeing them, I will post them here over the next few days, starting with this version of Bodrero by Martin Provensen.

My good friend Alain Littaye is trying to sell this extremely realistic painting of Walt. He can be contacted at neverlandeditions@gmail.com.

They Drew As They Pleased - The Hidden Art of Disney's Musical Years is now listed on Amazon.

This new book is not one I will pick up, but I know that some of you like to be aware of every single Disney-related publication out there.

More exciting material released today by Michael Barrier about Jack Kinney. Not to be missed.

I have now read the Disneyland-related chapter in the newly released biography of Ruth Shelllhorn by Kelly Comras. It is fairly short but meticulously researched and full of great new information.

This book will be released by Theme Park Press at the end of the month and should become the "bible" of theme park designers.

The blurb reads in part:

[Want to design a theme park?
Over the past century, theme parks have created worlds where pirates still loot Caribbean towns, where daring adventurers explore booby-trapped temples, and where superheroes swing from New York skyscrapers - and allowed us to step into them too. This is a book about how to design those fantastic places, and the ingenuity that goes into their creation.
This is a handbook for the practicing designer, a textbook for the aspiring student, and a behind the scenes guidebook for the theme park fan, drawing on hundreds of interviews with accomplished designers from Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Merlin Entertainments, and more. Theme Park Design & The Art of Themed Entertainment explores everything from the stories, themes, and characters that theme parks bring to life, to the business models, processes, and techniques that allow them to do it.
From rocket ships to roller coasters, fairy tales to fireworks shows, and dinosaurs to dark rides, never before has a book dived so deep into the art form of themed entertainment.]

I had the pleasure of contributing to this newly released book and very, very much looking forward to reading the other entries!

The blog will be updated again on Friday, March 11.

And now for an exclusive look at the cover of the upcoming They Drew As They Pleased - The Hidden Art of Disney's Musical Years!

Quick reminder: Next week will see the release of Three Years in Wonderland by Todd James Pierce, one of the most important books ever released about the early years of Disneyland. The book is revolutionary and a definite "must-have."

Garry Apgar just gave me a heads up about a new series of Mickey comic books which will be released this year in France and which seems utterly fascinating. One of the entries in the series will be written and drawn by none other than Loisel, a famous French comic book artist who created two classic graphic novels: La Quete de l'Oiseau du Temps and Peter Pan. He also served for a while as a concept artist at the Disney Studio in the 1990s. Can't wait.

I admit that I am totally fascinated by what I have seen to date of the universe of Zootopia. I have a feeling that I will love the movie and the beautiful new art-book released by Chronicle Books reinforces that opinion. This is really a book that should be added to your library if you are interested in Disney's latest productions.