Book of the Mouse Club

Inbetweeners are the animators who draw the pages in between the lead animators’ key frames. The in between doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it is essential to move the animation forward. The same concept applies to the “in between era” that connects Walt Disney’s passing to the Disney Renaissance. A tumultuous time period which often only gets a few chapters in history and is usually known only for mediocre box-office hits, now has its own book. Courtney and Emily welcome storyboard artist, screenwriter, director, and author, Stephen Anderson, to talk about that period that took us from the Walt Disney era to the Disney Renaissance in his book, “Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986.” Anderson’s book gives you an in depth history of lessons animators, writers, directors, and studio executives learned while navigating how to run the Disney studio and Disney brand without Walt. 

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Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

Stephen Anderson:

Instagram: @stevehatguy Website: https://www.stevehatguy.com/ Books are available from https://theoldmillpress.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Next book: Witches Run Amok: The Oral History of Disney's Hocus Pocus

And now you are about to see the eighth wonder of the world…the final installment of the Adventureland Attraction Summer Series! Courtney and Emily welcome former Jungle Cruise Skipper, Allie Ring, to discuss “Skipper Stories: True Tales from Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise” by David John Marley. This collection of stories allows readers to learn about the iconic attraction outside of its design and park history. Join your hosts on their own expedition as their Skipper Allie relates her experience to those chronicled in the book. 

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media!

Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse

Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads

Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

Allie Ring: Instagram @ayyraang and Goodreads 

DCOMmentaries: Instagram @dcommentaries 

Listen to DCOMmentaries anywhere you get your podcasts or HERE on The Trident Network

Next book for episode #106: Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986  by Stephen Anderson

The birds sing words and the flowers croon in this episode all about The Enchanted Tiki Room. In this second installment of the Adventureland Attraction Summer Series, Courtney and Emily interview author Ken Bruce about the enchanting context and early history of the attraction in his book, “Before the Birds Sang Words”. Go beyond the origin myth of the mechanical bird Walt picked up in New Orleans and take a deep dive into the several milestone moments and people who helped make this attraction come to life in the Tropical Hideaway.  

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media!

Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

Ken Bruce: 

Website: Tikiroom63.com

Amazon Link for Book: Before the Birds Sang Words

Next book in the Adventureland Attraction Summer Series: 

Skipper Stories: True Tales From Disneyland's Jungle Cruise by David John Marley 

S.O.S! Courtney and Emily are stranded on the island of New Switzerland. Luckily, there is a terrific treehouse complete with a library where they can read and be safe from the jungle’s wild animals. Join your hosts for their first selection of the Adventureland Attraction Summer Series, “The Swiss Family Robinson” by Johann David Wyss, and compare it to the 1960 live action film and iconic treehouse theme park attraction. 

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media!

Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse

Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads

Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

Next books in the Adventureland Attraction Summer Series: 

• July - Before the Birds Sang Words by Ken Bryce

• August -  Skipper Stories: True Tales From Disneyland's Jungle Cruise by David John Marley 

Many are familiar with Disney’s theme parks, cruise ships, resorts, and broader media empire, but did you know Disney tried to build a ski resort in Mineral King, California in the 1960s? Courtney and Emily are joined by authors Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer to discuss how this resort never broke ground despite over a decade of planning. Their book, “Disneyland on the Mountain: Walt, the Environmentalists, and the Ski Resort that Never Was”, does a deep dive into this niche piece of Disney history that is often overshadowed by the simultaneous planning and opening of the Walt Disney World Resort. However, despite Mineral King’s unbuilt legacy, its roots can still be found in the theme parks and resorts around the world. 

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media!

Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse

Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads

Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer

Website: https://disneylandonthemountain.com/ 

Books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other major retailers. 

Next book: The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

Only one book is appropriate for episode #101 and that is Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel, The Hundred and One Dalmatians. Join Courtney and Emily as they compare the original source material to Disney’s 1961 animated feature and 1996 live action film. 

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media!

Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse

Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads

Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

Youtube References:

101 Dalmatians (Pongo & Perdita) | Disney Sing Along Songs (1996)

PC Game: 101 Dalmatians Disney’s Animated Storybook (1996)

Next book: Disneyland on the Mountain: Walt, the Environmentalists, and the Ski Resort that Never Was by Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer

We got ears, it's time for cheers! Like the Walt Disney Company, Courtney and Emily are celebrating their own hundredth milestone - 100 episodes! During the Book of the Mouse Club 100 celebration, your hosts will recap their reading “wrapped” with data from the 104 books they’ve read since episode 1 and share reflections and behind the scenes anecdotes about the books along the way. Also hear from authors and guest readers who share in the celebration. Thank you listeners for reading along with Courtney and Emily for 100 episodes. The Book of the Mouse Club could not have made it this far without you.

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media!

Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse

Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads

Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

Next book: 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

Link to Hyperion Historical Alliance Annual Periodical

The Most Magical Place on Earth is sometimes more than meets the eye…so let’s meet our magical private eye! When mischievous magical mysteries arise, that is when Miles Mitchell, private eye, takes the case. Courtney and Emily are joined by Aaron Forringer to discuss his collection of short stories, “The Miles Mitchell Mysteries: A Private Eye At A Magical Place”. As a private investigator and now a Walt Disney World Cast Member, Aaron’s unique experiences help him combine his passions to write modern noir mysteries set in Mickey’s backyard. 

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

Aaron Forringer: Instagram @aaforringer Website: https://aaforringer.com/ You can purchase the Miles Mitchell Stories at: Dorrance PublishingAmazon.com Audiobooks 

The Walt Disney Company has been wishing on stars since 1923 and Disney’s Wish is a tribute to the 100 years of animation from the studio. Courtney and Emily kick off season 7 with “The Art of Wish” celebrating Disney Animation Studios’ 62nd film. Its unique “moving painting” animation pays tribute to the golden age of Disney animation and there are dozens of easter eggs to make you nostalgic for your favorite films.  

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media!

Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse

Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads

Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads

The Villains are trying to ruin Christmas! Classic Disney villains are up to their usual dastardly deeds, but the spirit of Christmas cannot be defeated. Courtney and Emily discuss Serna Valentino’s picture book “Disney Villains: How the Villains ruined Christmas” in their concluding episode of season 6. Picture books and reading are synonymous with the holiday season and make great gifts for the kids and kids at heart in your lives. The book features beautiful rhyming storytelling from Valentino and vibrant, joyful illustrations from Joey Chou. So gather around for story time and have a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a joyous Kwanzaa, and a happy new year!

Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media!

Official Twitter and Instagram: @BookoftheMouse

Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby, Twitter @Courtney_Guth, and Goodreads

Emily: Instagram and Twitter @emily_mickde, and Goodreads

Serena Valentino Instagram @serena_valentino_author and Disney Books Author Page https://books.disney.com/book-author/serena-valentino/ 

Joey Chou Instagram @choochoojoey and website https://www.joeyart.com/