Who is Walt Disney?

This post is sponsored by Penguin Young Readers but all opinions are my own.

There are mixed opinions about when to visit Disney with kids. I grew up going every year. In fact, my first visit was at 11 months, so I’ve continued the tradition with our kids. Simply put, the memories are priceless. 

Seeing my sons’ interactions and expressions at such young ages really is magical. S has asked to go back already and truthfully, I can’t blame him. I mean I want to go back, too… While we will not be returning just yet, we arrived home to the perfect book to keep him happy in the meantime— “I am Walt Disney.” 

“I am Walt Disney” is the 18th picture book in the New York Times bestselling “Ordinary People Change the World” series of biographies about heroes by best-selling author Brad Meltzer and illustrator Christpher Eliopoulos! How perfect and fitting for our Disney-loving family, and yours too! 


What makes this book so special is the lessons it teaches. Did you know Walt’s first company was a failure? Despite that, he did not give up. He persevered, creating the best mouse, Mickey Mouse, and the rest is history! It provides the proof that if we keep at it, we can succeed and possibly even change the world, just as Walt Disney did.

As stated on page 21, “The world could feel scary. But in Mickey Mouse, audiences found a character who took them to their happy place.” I know that is true for me and has been since I was a kid. Mickey and his associated movies, rides, and books always made me look forward to happy times, which are now some of my happiest memories.

Each picture book biography in the series tells the story of a significant historical figure in a simple, conversational, playful way, always focusing on a character trait that makes the hero a role model for kids. 

“I am Walt Disney” tells the story of Walt Disney, who made dreams come true for himself and people, kids especially, around the world. This colorful, friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great–the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero’s childhood influences. 





“I am Walt Disney” is available September 10th wherever fine books are sold. Pick up a copy today.