A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: My Story

by Annette Funicello, Patricia Romanowski

Annette Funicello grew up before America's eyes, first a Mousketeer, then the star and reigning sweetheart of the classic beach party movies of the Fifties. In her engaging, anecdotal autobiography, Annettee looks with wit and wonder on a near-charmed life in show business, and candidly discusses her recent battle with multiple sclerosis. Photos.

Genres: Biography, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography, Music, History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1994

About the author

Annette Joanne Funicello was an American singer and actress. She was Walt Disney's most popular Mouseketeer, and went on to appear in a series of beach movies.

Reviews

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is straight from the heart which I would say you need at least a half a box of kleenex to get through it. Some of the reason that it is so touching is that it reminds us of how old we are getting and mourning our youth. Those truly were the good old days. Sniff Sniff.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

I've been aware of Annette Funicello for many years, and have seen the original Mickey Mouse Club even though I was born over 30 years after it aired. I have become aware of her music in the last year and adore her "Hawaiianette" album, despite it being very campy. While I leaned so much about her life, I was drawn to this book because I know she had MS and was very vocal about raising awareness in an era where not much was known about the chronic illness. As someone with MS myself, it was disheartening to realize that not much more has been discovered from her descriptions of the disease almost 30 years ago. I do so much admire her courageousness in being open about her struggles and for being a voice for those with unpredictable disease. I also admire her commitment to staying true to herself through her fame, her values and her modesty that carried throughout her career.

So why the 3.5 stars instead of higher? Much of this book made it clear that despite being talented, Funicello is not a great author. I often felt like I was reading a book report or an essay on her, rather than the richness that comes from someone telling their own story. This is a book that should have been read in one or two sittings, but I read a chapter or two at a time as I was getting bogged down with the recitation of facts and the list of "who's who" of 1960s celebrities.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't born during Annette Funicello's time on the Mickey Mouse Club or her Beach films but I have definitely watched them as reruns and loved them. I really enjoyed this book about her life and how she found herself during the amazing journey with Disney. I highly recommend it. She is missed!

[Barbara Radisavljevic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess to having been a fan of Annette since her Mouseketeer days. In the course of my work as a Stephen minister at my church I had occasion to help my care receiver find this book which she had heard about and wanted to read. When she finished it, I decided to read it to satisfy my curiosity about the adult Annette.

I was glad to see that her experience as a child actress, and later as an adult in show business, did not corrupt her as it has some. She seemed to have held on to her family's values, in spite of her divorce and remarriage. She seemed to have raised good kids and, at least until the end of this book, maintained a close relationship with them. (I don't know what happened past 1994, but I have no knowledge that anything changed since then.)

She seems to nearly idolize Walt Disney, which I found interesting in light of what many others who have worked for him have said. Perhaps he had a special place in his heart for children and treated his Mouseketeers differently than the adults who worked for him.

Although I thought the focus of the book was going to be Annette's diagnosis and management of her MS, not much was said about it until the second half of the book. She kept it a secret at first, not wanting to worry her father, but letting her mother, children, and husband know. She was finally forced to tell her business associates when it began to affect her ability to perform.

If you start to read this book because, as I did, you are curious about Annette and what working with Disney was like for her, you won't be disappointed. If you are reading primarily for information on MS, you might be.

[Eddie Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

So although I did not grow up with Annette funicello, I can remember her on the New mickey mouse club in the early 90s as one of their special guests being one of the original mouseketeers of the 50s, as my interest in the mickey mouse club recently began to sprout I decided to find and get this book. Although I am not done I must say this autobiography is truly a door into the 50s and 60s, how it was like for young Annette to grow up on television even for being quite a little shy Italian girl, I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in Mickey mouse club of the 50s and the life of one of their brightest legends Annette, may she R.I.P.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a huge Mickey Mouse Club fan in the late 1960s. I hurried home from school every day to watch it. The Mouseketeers seemed like my own personal friends. I was absolutely shocked to find out that the Micky Mouse Club had stopped filming several years earlier, and that I was watching reruns. Nevertheless, I have always had a soft place in my heart for the Mouseketeers. When I saw this book, I decided to read it. It's short, and it's several years old, but I read it in an afternoon, and enjoyed it--no surprises, no major revelations, but it was a quick, pleasant read.

[Mary Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Annette in Mickey Mouse Club and her beach movies and even her hit songs. This, her story was inspiring and a joy to read.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming book with a touch of surreal. It is hard to understand why someone so beautiful inside could be handed such ugly at times. Wonderful book. One I would read over and over.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about her life and reminiscing about The Mickey Mouse Club and those days.

[Mediaman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Syrupy-sweet memoir that reads more like a Disney press release than an expose of Annette's life. It's very cutesy but there's little in it that will surprise people. She had pretty much the perfect life with a family that thought she was the perfect girl. And of course she was hand-picked by Walt Disney.

The book is so perky and tries so hard to be positive that she comes across as the precursor to Mary Tyler Moore's Mary Richards character. She's got a smile on her face and spunk, not letting anything get her down. There are very few dark times here until the end of the book, where she lies to hide her MS and then lets the world know the day before a tabloid is going to run the story. After that she is showered with awards and the book quickly ends. But this was written almost 20 years before she died!

It's worth a glance if you are nostalgic for the original Mickey Mouse Club or the beach movies, but otherwise this heart wishes that she would have had more substantive stories to share.

[West Hartford Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annette Funicello, what baby boomer cannot forget one of the original 24 mousekeeters! (and the last of the 24 to be selected). From Mousekeeter, to movie contract (Babes in Toyland, 1961, was her favorite movie), to beach blanket movies with Frankie Avalon. Also a wife, mother of 3, and spokesperson for various products, including Skippy peanut butter. Sadly, diagnosed with MS at age 44, but did live another 26 years before the disease took her. Book was well written, it chronologicals her life, from leaving Utica, NY at age 4, for CA, to being discovered by Disney, Mouskeeter career, movie career, marriage and family. I think any baby boomer would enjoy it, I did!

[Phoebe the Crone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only gave 4 stars because it was a little repetitive. However, that is not enough for me to not highly recommend this touching memoir to any Mickey Mouse Club or Annette fan. True to her image, she did not have an unkind thing to say about anyone, but, still kept her memoir interesting.

Even though I and most people from my generation grew up with Annette and, in some cases, kept up with her, I was surprised at several revelations. "Nostalgic" is an understatement. Reading about how she kept her MS a secret for so long might have been the biggest surprise. Fortunately, because of her, there does not seem to be such a stigma connected with MS today - at least not for me.

[Richard Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my longer projects is watching all of Disney (or at least everything I can get my paws on) from the 1920s through to now. Having made it to the 1950s and the introduction of the Mickey Mouse Club, it’s hard to avoid Annette. Not only was she one of the original Mouseketeers but she went on to be synonymous with Frankie Avalon in the ‘Beach Party’ films of the 60s. Funicello’s journey through those years is warm and lighthearted. Like they say, if you’re looking for dirt, bring a shovel. Published in the 90s, this comes after her public announcement of being diagnosed with multiple scelorsis, but prior to her dropping out of public life completely.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am too young to remember Annette as a Mousketeer. But I do remember her beach party movies being rerun on TV. But who doesn't know Annette? As a Disney fan, I was especially interested in hearing her experiences working for Disney. I even felt I learned more about Walt Disney. That was a bonus. I really felt she did a good job telling people about the things we are most curious about. The last part of her book was an honest and sad look at her struggle with MS. What a lady. Class act her whole life.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully told book by a beautiful woman. She reminds me a LOT of my own mom by how devoted she is to her children and family. And just an all around amazing woman. I'm glad to learn more about Annette, since I didn't know much about her to begin with. Maybe I'll check out one her films again. I like that one with her and I think it is Frank walking on the sandy shore by the ocean signing sweet nothings to each other. It was scene so simply put and just so "awww."

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know much about Annette Funicello other than she was one of the original Mousekeeters. I really enjoyed reading this book. Learning about her childhood, a more personal side of Walt Disney, famous people she met and dated along the way and in the end her courage to open up about her struggles with MS. Gonna have to find her TV movie and watch it!!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story. Not only did I learn a lot about Annette but also about Walt Disney, Frankie Avalon and many others who touched her life. Her parents were wonderful and she had a great childhood. She grew to be a talented, strong woman. The last few chapters where she detailed her struggle with MS were a bit challenging, but even there she was so positive.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I grew up watching Mickey Mouse Club. Annette tells her story with such love and she was a role model to teens of that time> It was enjoyable to read of her closeness to family and the people she met

[Kiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and wholesome. Probably the least gossipy or defamatory autobiography I've ever read or will ever read, but not in a way that feels censored or fake. I believe Annette Funicello really had a magical "Disney" perspective throughout her life—and honestly, good for her.

[Ly🐙 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annette! I can’t believe this absolute treasure of a woman has escaped my notice! I love her great attitude and beautiful smile 😊. I know she’s pirouetting in heaven with no pain with her parents and Glenn. I loved hearing her audiobook but her book definitely had way more pages and information. Highly recommend the audiobook if you want to just hear her story and not a lot of those old Hollywood facts she loves to tell. I loved it either way. Her book also includes pictures of her throughout her life.

[Justine Rostel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I always admired Annette Funicello. This book just adds to my admiration.

[Alex (Alex's Version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet! I loved reading this

[Margaret Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I always admired Annette and I really enjoyed reading about her in her own words.

[Sylvie Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to Annette telling her own story.

[Megan Schier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the beginning of Disney TV and the some of the live action movies. The book is a little stilted, but heartfelt.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book of Annette Funicello's life story and how being a Mouseketer (?) changed her life

[Patricia Hullett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very heart warming story. I especially loved to read about Walt Disney.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art by Amy Mebberson on Tumblr

Annette Funicello
Oct. 22, 1942 - April 8, 2013
RIP Pineapple Princess



I've read this book at least once before, but this is the first time I've read this book since her death. She was an absolute sweetheart, the true epitome of a Disney Darling. She had a whole fandom and franchise. When she was on the Mickey Mouse Club, she would receive thousands of fan mail a month.


She was even marketed with the early Disney Princesses and Alice. She was truly Disney royalty.

From what I understand reading the biography, young girls loved her because she wasn't exceptional at one thing, rather, she was more of a jack-of-all-trades. She wasn't a prima donna ballerina, but she could go up en pointe. She wasn't a chanteuse, but she could carry a tune. Little girls would watch her on TV and they'd say, "I can sing and dance just like Annette!" She was the girl next door, the daughter of Italian immigrants who pursued the American Dream to the fullest.

It must have been so hard growing up. She was scrutinized for her figure and that must have been really awful. Puberty is awful enough. I can't even imagine.

I loved reading about her interactions with Mr. Disney and the Mouseketeers.

I really appreciate Annette being unflinchingly honest throughout her book, even including the part where she slapped her son. Annette doesn't shy away from the pain, she describes the sad parts of her life with as much detail as the happy parts.

Reading her account of MS helped me, as I myself struggle with a chronic illness.

When she passed away two years ago, I remember crying. I was so, so sad. But her MS was severe, towards the end she was in terrible pain.

She's up in heaven right now, with Jimmie Dodd and Walt Disney, she's singing and dancing and laughing.

[Pia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I got this memoir from Books for Less (a thrift bookstore in Metro Manila where I live) and it's the first and only book about The Mickey Mouse Club that I have in my possession so far. Being a fanatic of this show - which is sort of interesting considering it is an old program that many aren't familiar with - as well as being fascinated about the life of the famed original Mouseketeer, I read it to know whether Annette truly shows as a person who lived a great life amidst the struggles she faced in many instances. The result: her own person shone at many points throughout the autobiography, but the point of views related are rather inconsistent to the point that some parts don't seem it's Annette explaining things and there are some missing facts or incorrect recollections that made her more idealized than in reality.

It's not meant to be a criticism of Annette as a person, but how the book is presented. Also, this is just my personal opinion and it's not meant to be taken as gospel.

Actually, I was going to write a longer review that's more of an analysis than a usual review, but rather than summarize the whole book with critical asides, let me just focus on parts that felt less natural. Probably it's due to having a co-author write whatever Annette says (since this was written when her MS was gradually worsening and her state then was having her body shaky and be mobilized in a scooter or wheelchair) or make this be more in line to how Disney sees her, but there are times when facts are shown in other books and websites yet an autobiography gets them wrong. It's quite odd.

Stay tuned for more... I need to get my thoughts straight before writing 'em down. Till later...

[Margo Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about a lovely person. I was born too late to watch Mickey Mouse Club or to be nostalgic about the campy "Back to the Beach" movie, but even I knew who Annette was growing up. I remember the Skippy peanut butter commercials at the very least. Reading her memoir though was a treat. Is was wonderful to know that people with morals and wholesomeness, who value family and friends and kindness exist even in Hollywood. She was such a good person-- although a real person too, one who made mistakes and had regrets.

With her death this week, I wanted to learn more about her and her experience with MS. She had a particularly aggressive form of progressive MS. Thankfully it is not what most people with MS have to struggle with. She also wrote this book relatively early after her diagnosis. I was surprised that she was able to process it as well as she did so quickly, but I appreciated her honesty in discussing how she ignored it at first. MS is a difficult disease to understand, even for those who have it. It is unpredictable and can be easy to ignore--except when it isn't. I hope that she kept her upbeat attitude in the 20 years after she wrote this book. It must have been extremely difficult, but she offers a lot of hope for living a good life despite chronic disease.