Being a Disney Fan and a father, my daughter watched many Disney Princess movies growing up. There were plenty of times when we would watch a Disney film and as soon as it ended we started it from the beginning again. Watching these movies was a great way for my daughter and I to spend time together and just get lost in these stories.
One thing that I never really thought of when watching these movies is what was the inspiration behind these Disney princesses. Every now and then I would see a behind-the-scenes featurette that talked about making the princesses, but it always feels like that was not enough. Luckily Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara breaks down a lot of the questions you might have had about the Disney Princesses.
The book is composed of eight chapters and they are all named after a different song sung in a Disney Movie. Each chapter goes into certain aspects of Disney Princesses. From origins to fashion to music, fandom, and cosplaying. This book has a lot of information for you and has some great facts that you might have not known about. For example: Did you know that more people went to see Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs during its initial theatrical run than saw Star Wars (A New Hope 1977) years later, during its initial first run? It’s in the book!
We can talk about the book all day but lets talk about a few of the chapters we really loved: Part of Your World and How Far I’ll Go. The Part of Your World chapter i sone that is near and dear to our heart because it has to do with collectibles. Do you know when Snow White was released that there were over 2000 products created? The chapter not only talks about dolls that were made but also goes into video games for consoles and mobile devices. There is also a section into the creation of the posters for the movies and well as stamps and books. If you are a collector of Disney Princesses you will see something in this chapter that will wow you. There is a fantastic splash page that shows the evolution of the dolls and is a great reference to see how they have changed.
How Far I’ll Go is the standout chapter in this book which shows the evolution of the Disney Princess. We are shown how they are more independent and don’t always rely on someone else to save them. Due to Disney showing us this new side of their princesses the perception of what a Disney princess should be has changed. We are now seeing more initiatives like Dream Big Princess which aimes to “bring the Disney Princess stories front and center, inspiring kids to realize their full potential”.
Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara is a fantastic book for any fan of Disney and Disney Princeses. It gives the reader a great look into the behind the scenes world of Disney as well as its impact on the real world.
Everyone knows the Disney Princess characters, but how did they become the cultural icons we know today? From the Princesses Walt Disney and his artists brought to the screen in the 20th century, such as Snow White and Aurora, to the recent additions such as Moana, Tiana and Rapunzel, each Disney Princess character’s influence has expanded beyond their original film. Each of their unique, individual stories create a fabric with the power to inspire our imaginations, spark social conversations, and empower us.
- Featured Disney Princesses include:
- Moana
- Merida
- Rapunzel
- Tiana
- Mulan
- Pocahontas
- Jasmine
- Belle
- Ariel
- Aurora
- Cinderella
- Snow White
Organized by themes of origins and inspirations, re-imaginings, toys and collectibles, fashion, music, parks, fandom, and more, Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara features memorabilia and interviews with Disney historians, directors, voice talent, and fans. Explore the different eras, influences, and legacies of the Princesses with Disney Legends such as Jodi Benson (voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid and author of the book’s foreword), Lea Salonga (the singing voice behind two Princesses, Jasmine and Mulan), and composer Alan Menken.