I Am #11: Walt Disney
No matter one’s opinion of the ethics of Walt Disney and the corporation he left behind, no one can deny that he was one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs. Following an imaginary autobiographical introduction, this title in the I Am series switches to third person as it launches into Disney’s industrious life. Often misunderstood by his no-nonsense father, young Walt never succeeded academically, but he developed an early passion for drawing and cartooning. Despite numerous setbacks, including losing the rights to one of his first characters, he never gave up his dreams. This enjoyable bio provides many details about Disney’s innovations in animation, television, and theme parks, as well as a few surprises, like his studio’s armed forces–training films during WWII. A mix of archival photos and sketches add interest, even if a few photos, such as a picture of a farmhouse similar to Walt’s childhood home, seem like filler. An annotated list of people, Cool to Know facts, related places to visit, and other features further supports students’ research. Grades 3-5. --Angela Leeper