John Hench (1908–2004)

This book was enjoyable on several fronts. The pictures (especially Hench's drawings from the late 50s and 60s) are gorgeous. The chapter on using color was a revelation. And the reminiscences of Walt Disney and Imagineers Hench worked with over a long career are nuggets of gold. I read the first half of the book on the plane coming back from DisneyWorld, so it is not a ponderous tome. But I chose to slowly savor the remainder of the book. That's the only reason it sat in my "currently show more reading" shelf as long as it did. show less

John Hench joined the Walt Disney Studios animation department in 1939, became an Imagineer in 1954, and continued working up until a few days before his death in 2004. So there's no one better to write about how Disney Parks are designed with an emphasis on detail and drawing the viewer in as an active participant. I particularly like how he talked about a three-dimensional cross-disolve, using a film term to describe the ways in Disney Imagineers design transitions between different lands show more and attractions. Hench also goes into great detail about how different colors are used, and how he gave a lot of thought to the color of the sky in Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong. This is a nice, richly-illustrated dive into the world of imagineering, although I admit I'm still looking for the book that will really get into the nitty-gritty. show less

A well-written book filled with fantasy elements such as magic, flying, and other dimensions. This book blends fantasy and reality well together making for a believable story. The story of Peter Pan has real plots and real characters. Pan is very stubborn and often selfish. Pan and Wendy explore independence and have little responsibility; these are all kids wishes! This book does a great job of exploring the minds of young children and how they feel. The book also does a good job with show more Captain Hook helping us realize that all of us share both good and bad qualities.

Extensions to this story would be building a fairy house for Tinkerbell.
Also In the book, peterpan has lost his shadow. I could have the children draw lines with chalk around their shadows.

Personal Reactions:
I enjoyed reading the book as a child and as an adult. I like that this book has a movie that I can watch with my children. show less

Fantasy - Alternative Worlds

Peter Pan is about Wendy and her adventure to Neverland to stop the evil Captain Hook from taking Peter. It follows Wendy and her two brothers in their journey to Neverland and the things they do there.

I think think that Peter Pan is honestly a little creepy because Peter pretty much steals them away from their house and Hook is just creepy in general. However, I do think that this gives children the opportunity to use their imagination even more so than usual.