Walt Disney's Treasury of Children's Classics

by Darlene Geis (Editor)

Now seventeen of the most popular stories are gathered into one richly dramatic volume, and each story is illustrated with stills from the motion pictures. Each section is followed by stories of each film's production, with behind-the-scenes facts about the artists, voice actors, and the time and money spent. 228 illustrations, including 201 in full color.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Picture Books, Classics, Art

306 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1978

Reviews

[Claris Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighter Stories of Darker?
Have you ever wondered where Disney got their classic stories from? I have and that what was got me into this topic. I was flipping through the pages of Walt Disney’s Treasury of Children’s Classics by Darlene Geis and found my favorite story, Cinderella, it’s a fantasy book and those are my absolute favorite. I read it over and over again, and the more and more I read that story I was wondering more and more where Disney had gotten the story from. I knew Disney got his stories from somewhere, I just didn’t know where from and I wanted to know. I really like Disney stories and I really want to know where they originate from, and if all are really are lighter stories of darker.
The story of Cinderella is basically about a girl who is kept as a servant by her cruel stepmother and two stepsisters, and dreams of a life better than her own. She has many little friends who are talking mice and some blue birds who help her throughout the story. One day a letter came to the household saying that every eligible maiden is to attend the royal ball by order of the king. Cinderella’s mice and birds make her a dress to go to the ball when she plans to, but can’t because she has too much work to finish. That is where I will stop because I don’t want to say too much, but if you with to read the book then my your wish be granted because “A dream is a wish your heart makes...” I was really curious to know how would this story be different if someone else wrote it.
As I was reading I kept wondering where Walt Disney got his stories from. I wanted to know this because they are really interesting and I wanted to know where they came from or if he just made them up. I know for a fact that Cinderella is an original Brothers Grimm story and it’s a darker version of what Walt Disney had made. I haven't read it before and have been told by multiple people including my older sister, but are all of Disney’s stories just a lighter and happier version of Brothers Grimm stories? So I will learn is are all of Disney’s stories a lighter version of darker told stories, who originally came up with those stories, and if disney made any of his own stories.
So where did Walt Disney get his ideas for his stories from? I guess I’ll just have to do some research to find out. I would recommend Walt Disney’s Treasury of Children’s Classics by Darlene Geis to anyone if they want to relive their favorite classic Disney stories of fun adventures and fairy tales. If you want to read it in might be in your local library in the children’s section.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of classics by Disney cut down into short stories and with information about the making of each one which is quite interesting. Lots of pictures from the films making it a pretty book too

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this growing up.

[John E · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! Memories galore! Now it is off to grandkids.

[Seanna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a child. I miss it dearly.

[Lindsey Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories are nothing special (in that they're memorized from my childhood) but the animation stills and the production stories add to the whole thing to make this a very nice book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marvelous compilation of Disney animated features (or stories from them) up to 1978. Preceding each retelling is the title overlaid on a two-page illustration from the movie and including a small caption as to the origin of the story. Each story is illustrated with full-color stills from the films, including two-page spreads and some fold-out illustrations. There is also a one to two page "Story of the Production" and the end of each story with black-and-white photographs of the illustrators or voice actors and information on the development and production of the movie.

The stories featured are as follows:

Fairy Tales
Cinderella
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Sleeping Beauty

Classics
Pinocchio
Robin Hood
The Laughin' Place and the Wonderful Tar-Baby from Song of the South
Ichabod Crane from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Peter Pan
Alice in Wonderland
Bambi
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
The Jungle Book

Contemporary Stories
Dumbo
101 Dalmatians
Lady and the Tramp
The Aristocats
The Rescuers

Curiously, The Sword in the Stone is missing, not sure why.

[jacky · Rating 4 out of 5]

We borrowed this book from my parents to read to Natalie. I knew most of the stories, but had never officially seen Pinocchio, The Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp or Bambi and had never seen any of Peter Pan (though we read it recently), Tales of Uncle Remus, The Aristocats, or The Rescuers. The stills from the movies made great illustrations, especially the two page spreads. I also enjoyed reading the page or two of info about the production of the movies at the end of stories. This would make a great read aloud book for an older child to relive the movies. The writing wasn't anything special. Just enough to get the story across.

Now I'm dying for a more modern version (this one stops at 1977) with all the movies I grew up with in theaters (aka The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, etc) as well as the new Pixar films. Oh ... turns out there is a new version! Yipee!

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start on.

http://spreadthewordnevada.org/

Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.

I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.

[Netsen7Bookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book when I was very young, although it is starting to fall apart now I still read it over and over. Especially the stories about Cinderella, sleeping beauty, Snow White and my favorite Peter Pan.

[Cws]

JEOSDIS-Cla

[Amanda Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

previously owned by Imogene Baugher (maternal grandmother)

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to relive my childhood with many of these stories but also enjoyed the background info about each of the movies. Now I'm in the mood to watch some Disney flicks!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to read the stories in this book all the time as a child and it is still read from time to time. Always will be one of my favourites :)

[Punkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
This gorgeous treasury not only includes stills from each film, but concept art and behind the scenes photos. Essential for any Disney fan.😊