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

Summary:
This story starts the day before Wendy must leave the nursery and grow up. Peter Pan ends up in the nursery looking for his shadow and decides to take Wendy and the others with him to Never Land. Once in Never Land they encounter Captain Hook the bad guy. They all must take on Captain Hook in the end they rescue Tiger Lily.
Reflection:
I remember reading this book growing up and would recommend it to others. It is great way to get a child's imagination going. This book has great show more pictures and they are full of color. It would also be great to teach kids to work as a team and be there for each other. show less