From an Idea to Disney

March 1, 2019
Grades 4-6 The jaunty covers of the From an Idea to . . . series (2 titles) set the tone for these light but informative books. Each volume begins biographically, introducing the company's founder during his childhood and following his education, early jobs, and determination to start and build a company. Gradually, the focus switches to the company itself and its growth and changes through the years. After the initial spotlight on Walt Disney's creativity and business acumen, From an Idea to Disney traces the company's rise in the entertainment industry, its rapid expansion into sports and other areas, and its eventual refocus on core values in more recent years. Sichol's very readable texts support her belief that kids can understand business-related ideas and find them interesting. And with an MBA, she is well qualified to clarify financial terms quickly; additionally, both volumes contain double-page spreads explaining what it means for a company to go public and why stock prices fluctuate. Throughout the books, upbeat drawings add a child-friendly look. An appealing series combining biography, history, and financial literacy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)