The Woman Behind the Magic
How Lillian B. Disney Shaped the Disney Legacy
Published on 3. June 2025
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-1-6659-6274-2 (ISBN)
Description
Discover how Lillian Bounds Disney helped shape the Disney legacy as a cartoon artist and innovator in this “insightful and inspiring” (School Library Journal, starred review) picture book biography, perfect for Disney fans everywhere!
As a child, Lilly learned that working behind-the-scenes was its own special talent. When she grew up, her magical sense of adventure led her to the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. She became one of the first women in the animation industry, where she worked as an ink and paint artist and later, as the studio’s first secretary.
After Lilly and Walt fell in love, they got married in 1925, and Lilly continued adding her own magic to Walt’s wild ideas—including encouraging him to keep trying cartoons when the studio was in danger of closing and giving Mickey Mouse his name. Together, they became an unstoppable team. From cartoon ideas to theme park innovations, Lilly helped shape Disney history.
As a child, Lilly learned that working behind-the-scenes was its own special talent. When she grew up, her magical sense of adventure led her to the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. She became one of the first women in the animation industry, where she worked as an ink and paint artist and later, as the studio’s first secretary.
After Lilly and Walt fell in love, they got married in 1925, and Lilly continued adding her own magic to Walt’s wild ideas—including encouraging him to keep trying cartoons when the studio was in danger of closing and giving Mickey Mouse his name. Together, they became an unstoppable team. From cartoon ideas to theme park innovations, Lilly helped shape Disney history.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
f-c matte, coated, digital (spfx: foil stamp, spot gloss, sculpt emboss)
Dimensions
Height: 284 mm
Width: 224 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6659-6274-2 (9781665962742)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
06/2025
Beach Lane Books
€10.87
Available for download
Persons
Brittany Richman is an author, mom, and former political staffer who worked for the White House and Congress. She is also the cofounder of The American Moms blog. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and treasures memories of childhood trips to Disneyland. Brittany now lives in South Dakota with her husband, three adventurous kids, and a mischievous goldendoodle. She has an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College of Fine Arts. The Woman Behind the Magic is her debut picture book. Visit her at TheAmericanMoms.com.