They Drew as They Pleased

November 15, 2015

Disney historian Ghez details the early years of Walt Disney Studios through some of its most valuable players: illustrators Albert Hunter, Ferdinand Horvath, Gustaf Tenggren, and Bianca Majolie, who was the story department's first female hire. With the help of diaries and interviews with friends and family, the author pens easily digestible biographies and highlights the careers of these four essential figures and the projects they helped create--films that still hold up as Disney classics and burn brightly in the minds of fans spanning generations. More than that, readers are treated to an insider's view of Walt Disney as a boss and the beginnings of what would become a cinematic empire. The book, first in a projected decade-by-decade series, is also filled with drawings, from simple sketches to gorgeously inked imaginings, offering a stunning visual of the animation process and rare concept art of beloved characters such as Pinocchio and Snow White. VERDICT While the Nineties are often hailed as the prime era of Disney animation, it is important to note the original creative minds that helped inspire and grow the company. This is a gem for film buffs and Disney enthusiasts looking for an absorbing title to fill out their collections.--Kate DiGirolomo, Library Journal

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