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Book of the Mouse Club is an Unofficial Disney podcast that explores books about Disney, its history, films, theme parks and more. Join us for discussions about books, interviews with authors and broader topics that relate to the literary realm of Disney.
Disclaimer: Book of the Mouse Club has no affiliation with The Walt Disney Company. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and participants are theirs and theirs alone and do not represent the organizations or companies they happen to work for.
Disclaimer: Book of the Mouse Club has no affiliation with The Walt Disney Company. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and participants are theirs and theirs alone and do not represent the organizations or companies they happen to work for.
120 Episodes
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The Overtakers and Disney Villains are at it again! But the Keepers are parents now, and their kids are as invested in saving the Disney parks as they were in their youth. Is it time to pass the wand to a new generation? Courtney and Emily welcome back Ridley Pearson, author of the Kingdom Keepers, to discuss the final installment in the series, The Inheritance trilogy. In the episode, Ridley talks about the legacy of family, Walt Disney, imagineering his own version of a Villains Land, and how to move forward from a project you've spent a long time committed to. Ridley will also make an announcement about his upcoming projects and Courtney and Emily have an announcement of their own. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Twitter and Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Ridley Pearson: Instagram and Twitter @RidleyPearson Website:https://ridleypearson.com/ You can find all of his books at your favorite book retailer!
Anything can happen in the woods, such as having Conor and Caroline from the Poor Unfortunate Podcast back on the show! In the episode, Courtney, Conor, Caroline, and Emily go into the woods to journey's end to compare Grimm's Fairytales to Stephan Sondheim's 1987 stage musical and Disney's 2014 film adaptation of Into the Woods. Careful the things you say...there are some hot takes in this episode especially over the differences in the show and film and the morals audiences are left with at the conclusion of both. So do not delay or be misled, if you love Into the Woods, you will enjoy this discussion. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Twitter and Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Poor Unfortunate Podcast: Podcast available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and YouTube Instagram @poorunfortunatepodcast and Threads @poorunfortunatepodcast Next book: Kingdom Keepers: Inheritance (3 book series) by Ridley Pearson
Join your hosts for a kiss goodnight finale to the Disneyland 70th anniversary! Courtney and Emily complete their Celebratory Summer Series commemorating Disneyland's 70th anniversary with "The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland" by Don Hahn and Christopher Merritt Foreword by Bob Iger. This coffee table book features over 750 images, documents, and concept art during Walt Disney's shaping of Disneyland. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Twitter and Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Next Book: Fairy Tale Favorites: Stories that Steven Sondheim's Inspired Into the Woods and Disney's retelling. The following stories are in the public domain and can be accessed online or at your local public library for free: Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack the Giant Slayer, and Rapunzel
A picture is worth a thousand words, and these never before seen photographs of Disneyland on its opening day in 1955 tell a lot of stories. Courtney and Emily continue their Celebratory Summer Series by welcoming back author, Aaron H. Goldberg, to the podcast to talk about his book, "Presenting Disneyland: Forgotten Photographs From Opening Day." Featuring never before seen photographs from a studio employee, Presenting Disneyland transports you in technicolor to back July 17, 1955. Coupled with quotes and newspaper clippings, Aaron presents readers with an anthropological view of Disneyland that brings new life to studying the opening day of the Happiest Place on Earth. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Twitter and Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Aaron Goldberg: X @aaronhgoldberg and Instagram @aaronhgoldberg Website: https://www.aaronhgoldberg.com/ Next Book: The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland by: Don Hahn and Christopher Merritt Foreword by Bob Iger
Disneyland is celebrating its platinum anniversary! This episode introduces the Celebratory Summer Series with a Disneyland theme to commemorate 70 years of the Happiest Place on Earth. Courtney and Emily kick off this three book summer series by meeting some original cast members around Disneyland in David Koenig's book "The 55ers: The Pioneers Who Settled Disneyland". The book memorializes almost 700 original cast members in its pages who helped build and operate Disneyland for its inaugural year. The cast members are the magic of the Disney parks deserve every recognition while celebrating Disneyland's 70th anniversary. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Twitter and Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Next Book: Presenting Disneyland: Forgotten Photographs From Opening Day by Aaron Goldberg Forward by Bob Gurr
Welcome Class of 2025 to Kermencement! In honor of Kermit the Frog's commencement speech at his, and your hosts' alma mater, the University of Maryland, Courtney and Emily read Kermit's book, "Before You Leap: A Frog's-Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons." Kermit has 70 years of wisdom to share with graduates and readers and in honor of the Muppet Anniversary, Kermit published a third edition of his book and used it to help create his commencement speech. In this episode, Courtney and Emily reminisce about their own UMD graduation, talk about Kermit's speech in tandem with the book, and pay tribute to Muppet Vision 3D . Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Twitter and Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Other Resources Links: Supporting PBS:https://www.pbs.org/viewers-like-me/ Muppets at the Smithsonian Institute: https://www.si.edu/spotlight/puppets-muppets-jim-henson Next Book: The 55ers: The Pioneers Who Settled Disneyland by David Koenig
You may recognize her from social media: she loves churros, Orange Bird, and telling her followers all about Disney history in the late hours of the night. Danielle Kelly, aka the Dapper Danielle, joins Courtney and Emily to give them a tour around the Magic Kingdom in her new book "I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom 100+ Surprising Facts, Magical Quizzes, Fan-Favorite Trivia, and More about Disney's Magic Kingdom!" Danielle's guide book shares history, design details, and park tips in an accessible guide suited to new park guests and the annual pass holder alike (and fits in a Loungefly!). In this interview, you will learn how Danielle bibbidi-bobbidi-booed her random Disney facts into a book and get a sneak peak of some extra magic and park pointers in her guide. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Danielle Kelly: Buy your copy of "I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom" HERE Website: https://www.thedapperdanielle.com/ Instagram: @thedapperdanielle Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thedapperdanielle Podcast: The Disney Countdown Show Podcast / Instagram @disneycountdownshow Next Book: Before You Leap: A Frog's-Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons by Kermit the Frog
There's a girl in the castle! Courtney and Emily invite you to be our guest for a latest Fairytale Favorite episode. The tale as old as time, "Beauty and the Beast" by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont, was the inspiration for the 1991 Walt Disney animated film. There are many differences between the 14 page fairytale and the 90 minute film, but there is beauty found within both. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram and Goodreads Next Book: Stay tuned to our social media!
Hi-ho the me-ri-o! Courtney and Emily have no strings to hold them down as they celebrate the 85th anniversary of Walt Disney Animation's second motion picture, Pinocchio, by comparing the film to Carlo Collodi's original novel, "The Adventures of Pinocchio: Story of a Puppet." Collodi's episodic adventure takes readers to the puppet show, the not so wondrous meadows, Playland, the bottom of sea…pretty much everywhere that is not school as Pinocchio learns to accept the consequences of his actions and tries to become a real boy. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram and Goodreads Next Book: Beauty and the Beast, by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont
Courtney and Emily are all in this together for this nostalgic discussion of Disney Channel and Ashley Spencer's book, "Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire." The Disney Channel was falling behind in children's programming in the 1990s until they discovered the tween market and launch millennial defining television programs such as Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, Hannah Montana, High School Musical, the Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Camp Rock, and Wizards of Waverly Place. But while tweens were eagerly consuming media, music, and merchandise, a lot was happening behind the scenes. High school is a formative time in an adolescent's life and 2000-2012 were Disney Channel's high school years as the network and its stars tried to find their identity. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram and Goodreads Next Book: "The Adventures of Pinocchio: Story of a Puppet" by Carlo Collodi. Vanity Fair Article: "The Untold Story of Disney Channel's Rise and Fall" by Savannah Walsh
Courtney and Emily welcome back Michael Lyons to the Book of the Mouse Club to discuss his latest book, "Magic Moments: Stories, Lessons and Memories from a Twenty-Year Career at Disney." This book is a perfect selection for the end of the year because it is about reflecting on past experiences and the lessons learned along the way. Michael talks about his two decades of experience at the Walt Disney World Resort and your hosts reflect on their magical work experiences in the park as well. Michael, Courtney, and Emily consider the lessons they've learned working in park operations and how those lessons can be applied to work and life outside of the parks. The Disney Keys and the mission to "create happiness" can be a good mindset to kick off the upcoming new year. Review Book of the Mouse Club on iTunes and Google Play and send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the hosts at bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Michael Lyons: Twitter @mlyonsfl and Instagram @WordsFromLyons Websites: https://www.wordsfromlyons.com/ and http://screensaverblog.blogspot.com/ Dis-Order Podcast and From Pencils to Pixels The Animation Celebration Podcast can be found wherever you get your podcasts! Signed copies of Michael's books are available on https://www.wordsfromlyons.com/. Want to listen to Michael's previous appearance on the Book of the Mouse Club? Check out episode #86 about his book "Drawn to Greatness: Disney's Animation Renaissance". Next Book: "Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire" by Ashley Spencer, available on Amazon or wherever you like to buy books!
What is one step short of crazy? Passionate. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Disney's 2004 live action film, National Treasure, Courtney and Emily welcome Aubrey and Emily from the National Treasure Hunt Podcast to the show to talk about their book "National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy." National Treasure is an action, adventure, fictional heist rooted entirely in real history. Its unique plot, historic connections, and cast of characters are what make the film so memorable two decades later. Come discuss all things National Treasure and get ready to crack a few ciphers on your own as you read this exciting indepth look of the film. Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Aubrey Paris and Emily Black of the The National Treasure Hunt Podcast: Website: https://nthuntpodcast.com/ Listen to the Podcast at Apple Podcasts or wherever you stream X : @NTHuntPodcast Instagram: nthunpodcast LinkedIn: National Treasure Hunt LLC You can buy the book from their publisher Tucker Press (or visit the National Archives and buy it in the gift shop!) Next Book: "Magic Moments: Stories, Lessons and Memories from a Twenty-Year Career at Disney." by Michael Lyons Learn more about the Declaration of Indpendence's history and preservation from this article from the National Archives.
It's not spooky season without the Sanderson Sisters. Courtney and Emily relight the black flame candle to chat with Shannon Carlin about her debut book, "Witches Run Amok: Disney Hocus Pocus the Oral History." Shannon conducted over ninety interviews with the cast and crew to present stories from the making of the film to its legacy. This booooOOOoooK is one that should be added to any Hocus Pocus' fans shelf and is a great companion to the film. Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! Official Instagram: @BookoftheMouse Courtney: Instagram @greatguthsby and Goodreads Emily: Instagram @emily_mickde and Goodreads Shannon Carlin: Instagram: @new_girl_friday Website: http://shannon-carlin.com/ Books are available from Disney Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble Enjoy Hocus Pocus? Check out our previous episodes: #12: Author Interview - "Hocus Pocus in Focus: The Thinking Fan's Guide to Disney's Halloween Classic" by Aaron Wallace #81: "Hocus Pocus & the All New Sequel" by A.W. Jantha vs. Hocus Pocus 2 (the film) Next book: "National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy" by Aubrey R. Paris and Emily Black
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. Follow Our Reading Journey On Social Media! 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
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