The Story of Walt Disney: Maker of Magical Worlds (Dell Yearling Biography)
Usborne famous lives Series
on Goodreads (123)
What’s inside...
When Walt Disney was a child, he loved to draw. It's no wonder he grew up to create such memorable and loveable characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Walt Disney spent a lifetime entertaining and delighting millions of children and adults alike--on film, on television, and in his magical kingdoms of Disneyland and Disney world. This is his story.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Walter Elias Disney
Ub Iwerks
Roy Oliver Disney
Lillian Bounds Disney
Discussion points
What qualities do you think made Walt Disney successful and how can you apply them in your own life?
How do you think Walt Disney's creations have changed the way we experience stories and movies today?
What challenges did Walt Disney face and how did he overcome them?
If you could create a magical world, what would it look like and what kind of stories would it tell?
Why do you think it's important to keep dreaming and creating, just like Walt Disney did?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate the challenges Walt Disney faced to everyday problems to make them more understandable for your child.
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own magical world, which can help in understanding the creative visionary aspect of Walt Disney.
Use the discussion to highlight the importance of perseverance and hard work by drawing parallels to Disney's dedication and commitment.
Ask your child to think about what inspires them, similar to how fairy tales and characters inspired Disney, to foster a connection to their own interests and passions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance and resilience
Explanation: The book illustrates Walt Disney's journey through numerous challenges, including business failures and financial difficulties, demonstrating his unwavering determination.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist through their own difficulties, whether in schoolwork, sports, or personal projects, understanding that setbacks can lead to greater successes.
Example Lesson: Innovation and creativity
Explanation: Walt Disney's story showcases his groundbreaking work in animation and theme parks, highlighting his creative thinking and willingness to explore new ideas.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think creatively in their endeavors and encourage them to innovate, whether in art projects, problem-solving tasks, or imaginative play.
Example Lesson: Importance of vision and dreaming big
Explanation: The narrative details how Walt Disney envisioned expansive ideas that others didn't believe in initially, like Mickey Mouse and Disneyland.
Real-World Application: Kids can be motivated to dream big and have a vision for their future, learning that holding onto their unique ideas, despite skepticism from others, can be rewarding.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Disney's success was not solo; it involved collaboration with a talented team who helped realize his visions.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the value of working with others to achieve goals, enhancing their ability to cooperate in group settings like school projects or sports teams.
Example Lesson: Hard work and dedication
Explanation: The book elaborates on the relentless work ethic of Walt Disney, which was crucial in bringing his ambitious projects to life.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to dedicate themselves to their tasks and persevere, showing them that hard work is integral to achieving success.