First published 2012
Walt Disney possessed an unstoppable drive to bring joy to others. This impulse frequently landed him in hot water, like the time he covered his family's white house with tar paintings. Growing up poor, Disney found his happiest moments on a Missouri farm, an experience that would later inspire the Main Street areas at Disneyland parks worldwide. Whitney Stewart traces Disney's path from small-town dreamer to the creative force behind an entertainment empire. The biography examines the person who built the Disney brand, revealing how his rural childhood shaped his vision. Black and white illustrations accompany the text throughout. Stewart shows how Disney's love for entertaining people drove every major decision in his career, transforming a mischievous boy into the man who created Mickey Mouse and theme parks that capture the spirit of American small towns.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, american, 21st-century, childrens
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: inspirational, rags-to-riches
Setting: Missouri, Disneyland
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
112 pages · Paperback · Grosset&Dunlap