Walt Disney: Genius of Entertainment

by Judith Pinkerton Josephson

A biography of the man who created Mickey Mouse.

Library Binding

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

In my writing career, I have published numerous magazine, newspaper, and journal articles and over twenty books spanning varied genres—including biographies, childhood history books, and picture books for children; two zany grammar guides for folks needing a refresher; and a historical fiction novel. I write books and stories for children and some for adults. I’ve written biographies on diverse people, such as track and field legend Jesse Owens, detective Allan Pinkerton, poet Nikki Giovanni, musician Louis Armstrong, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, and labor activist Mother Jones. One of the things I love about writing biographies is the chance to shine a spotlight on fascinating people. Sometimes they are more interesting than anyone I could invent. Especially interesting to me are those who overcome challenges and provide positive role models for children. In my books on childhood history (the Our America series), I explored what children were doing during various eras in history—using children’s diaries, memoirs, photographs, songs, games, and more. As a co-author with Edith Fine, we wrote two humorous grammar guides and a picture book, Armando and the Blue Tarp School, nominated for the 2009-2010 California Young Reader medal and chosen for One Book San Diego. When I am not scrutinizing words, I enjoy writing poetry, playing my violin, reading, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and spending time with my family. For more about me, visit www.judithjosephson.com, www.grammarpatrol.com, and www.bluetarpschool.com

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

More and more information unfolds with each turn of the page. We discover the causes that led to the animator's strike in 1940's. The Disney brothers built a new three-million-dollar studio with amenities to benefit his employees, but they still carried grudges from the past when they worked long hours in rooms without air conditioning. Walt's temper was so notorious around the office that his employees liken his outburst to Donald Duck's:

“To avoid his outbursts, employees borrowed a line from Bambi as a secret code: 'Man is in the forest' If Walt was close by, somebody might sound a warning, yelling 'Man is in the forest!'”

However, despite his sometimes overbearing personality, Walt was also known to be generous to his loyal employees. When Ollie Johnston, one of the famous seven old men of animators, fell ill, Disney insisted on paying his full salary while giving him time to recover. The book also mentions, for the first time in my reading, the return of Disney's ex-partner Ub Iwerks. The others mention that Ub finally left Disney, after all the hardships they went together. Iwerks started his own animation company producing “Flip the Frog” shorts. In 1940, Ub Iwerks returned to the Disney studio, and after a long talk, Disney rehired his old friends. Ub was a “technical genius” and many of his influences in the field of animation are still in practice today.


Read my full review at my blog, the Non Fiction Manifesto
http://non-fic-manifesto.blogspot.com...

[Megumi Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a beginner about Walt Disney, this book will help you great. :) Furthermore, you will remember easily about American history at the same time if you are not good at with history like I do. ;P Yeah, I like this book. :)

[MorganJensen 8th · Rating 4 out of 5]

great

[AutumnBoening]

In Walt Disney: Genius Of Entertainment by Judith Pinkerton Josephson there are many twist and turns. When Walt was growing up he loved to draw so when he got older he had started to join in businesses to draw cartoons, for any company that asked him to. His brother Roy had gotten really sick but with Walt's help, Roy recovered. This a real story about Walt's life. The main problem was that with being in the cartoon business not many people really were interested in cartoons, because they lacked what some wanted. Sounds and color which some longed for. I think this book was pretty cool. In July 17, 1955 Disney Land opened and 30,000 children and adults were there. Which is mind blowing for just a park opening. The main place Walt was in Kansas City where he grew up. Walt was a determined, caring, and helpful person. Walt also made the 'Alice's Wonderland' which was a huge hit. His brother Roy was smart and loving. I recommend anyone who loves Disney movies because this just tells how that came to be and how Disney characters came to be. this book was published in 2006.