Review by Booklist Review
This narrative biography introduces Lillian B. Disney, one of the first employees of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio and the eventual wife of Walt Disney. The youngest of 10 children, Lilly moved to Hollywood as a young adult and was hired as an inker for Disney cartoons. Over their decades together, she reliably provided "behind-the-scenes magic" for Walt Disney's grand ideas, including naming Mickey Mouse. The illustrations have a classic early Disney sensibility (including a scene of Lilly greeting a bluebird while doing laundry), which reinforces the text's time frame and generally light touch. Back matter notes that researching Lilly's perspective is a challenge, as she was a private person in an era when even prominent women were primarily expected to support their husbands. This may explain the text's overall feeling that Lilly's life was a series of reactions to outside forces, driven only by a vague fondness for "magic" and working "behind the scenes" rather than by a specific individual outlook. Recommended for large collections, or readers with a particular enthusiasm for all things Disney.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--6--Young readers will enjoy discovering and learning about the woman who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring joy to the world. This stunning biography introduces readers to Lillian Bounds Disney, a largely unknown figure in the global legacy. Born in Idaho as the youngest of 10 children, Bounds grew up in a poor but joyful family, always finding magic in everyday moments. When her siblings moved away, a sister invited her to Hollywood, where Bounds soon found work as an animator at the newly opened Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Though new to animation, Bounds quickly grasped its importance and, with her business school background, recognized the studio's need for organization--becoming its first secretary. Romance blossomed between Bounds and Walt Disney, leading to marriage, and she remained a guiding force behind the scenes. She played a crucial role in shaping the company, even influencing the name of Mickey Mouse. Despite preferring to stay out of the spotlight, Lillian made significant contributions to Disney and later became a generous benefactor to arts, education, and humanitarian causes. Stone's illustrations thoughtfully depict key moments from the subject's life, including ink cell drawings that introduce young readers to early animation techniques. Back matter includes a time line and additional details about her lasting impact. VERDICT An insightful and inspiring biography that shines a well-deserved light on a little-known figure who quietly helped shape the magic of Disney.--Heidi Dechief
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Steering clear of the spotlight, Lillian Disney (neé Bounds) found her own way to leave her mark on the Disney legacy. Born the last of 10 siblings in 1899, Lilly had a knack for finding magic in the everyday despite her tough beginnings--after her father died when she was 17, she helped her mother make ends meet. She stumbled upon the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio after moving to Los Angeles. Though women were rarely hired in animation at the time, Walt and Roy Disney took a chance on Lilly. She became an inker and a painter, filling animators' drawings with pigment, cell by cell. Enamored by her boss's creativity, Lilly fell in love with Walt, and they were soon married. When Walt sketched a cartoon mouse named Mortimer, Lillian suggested that "Mickey" would be a catchier name. Though Lilly preferred to stay behind the scenes while supporting her husband, she left a lasting impact on the company: dreaming up cartoon ideas, testing theme park rides, and even innovating Disneyland's trash-collection system. Richman sprinkles pixie dust on one woman's influence on the Disney we know today; still, young readers eager to take center stage may be frustrated with Lillian's willingness to play second fiddle to Walt. Digital illustrations are rendered with a muted palette that evokes the period but feels a bit dull, directly depicting the events described in the text rather than building on them. Peek behind the scenes and celebrate a woman whose achievements shaped Disney magic. (author's note, timeline, sources)(Picture-book biography. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
