It’s no secret – I love Disney books.

After all, so many great Disney classics started out as a book – Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Bambi, Mary Poppins to name a few.  And that’s not even including the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe!  And while everyone knows that the Walt Disney Company puts out some really incredible films, created amazing theme parks, and has developed some of our favorite television shows, did you know how prolific they are in publishing books?

At D23 Expo 2017, you’ll have a chance to find out!

At each Expo, Disney Publishing Worldwide always has a presence, and this year is no exception.  In fact, they will be hosting a number of great panels and autograph signings.  I know I’m excited to see the panel with Alex Hirsch (Gravity Falls) and Daron Nafcy (Star vs. The Forces of Evil) talking about bringing their TV creations to life in books and if you’ve read Journal 3 or Star and Marco’s Guide to Mastering Every Dimension you know how successful they’ve been doing it. One of the others I’m looking forward to is Marcy Smothers’ talk on Walt Disney and infusing fun in food.  Being a fan of both Walt and food, this should be good.  Another great panel will be listening to Ridley Pearson (Kingdom Keepers) and Marty Sklar along with various Imagineers talk about the history of the Disney Parks though the book Maps of the Disney Parks which we reviewed early this year.

Fan of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit?  Dave Bossert (a creative talent in his own right who also put together An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg Draws the Disney Characters) and David Gerstein will talk about his history in a panel on Sunday evening.  Mindy Johnson (Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation) is leading a panel about the contributions of women in animation and the Walt Disney Studios. And you know you’re in for a treat when the name “Richard Sherman” is mentioned.  I’ve listened to Richard’s stories before and he is as entertaining as anyone.  He and Floyd Norman will be sharing stories from their upcoming book A Kiss Goodnight on Saturday – and perhaps a bit of music too?  One can only hope.

The complete schedule of panels is listed below:

• Friday 7/14 @10:30am, D23 Expo Arena – Alex Hirsch and Daron Nefcy – Transfering their work from screen to page
• Friday 7/14 @4:30pm, Walt Disney Archives Stage – Mindy Johnson hosting panel of animators about women’s contribution to the legacy of the Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Saturday 7/15 @6pm, D23 Expo Arena – Richard Sherman and Floyd Norman discuss their upcoming book A Kiss Goodnight
• Sunday 7/16 @10am, Walt Disney Archives Stage – Marcy Smothers talks about Walt’s love of infusing fun in food
• Sunday 7/16 @4:15pm, Stage 28 – Ridley Pearson, Marty Sklar, and Imagineers talk about the history of Disney theme parks through the lens of the book Maps of the Disney Parks
• Sunday 7/16 @6pm, Stage 28 – Dave Bossert and David Gerstein share stories about the iconic Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

But that’s not all (I feel like an infomercial)!  Not only are these awesome talents sharing their stories, but most of them are also signing their work during the Expo!  There will also be other authors present at the Expo who are more than happy to sign your books, too.  The only hitch is you have to buy the book at the event, so if you’re like me and you already have a copy of Journal 3 (or whatever your favorite book is), you’ll have to buy another copy.  Oh, well.  I will then have a spare copy to share with someone who needs it!  Most authors are only here once so be sure to note who is where and when. Schedule is below:

Friday, July 14

• Alex Hirsch, Rob Renzetti, Stephanie Ramirez (Gravity Falls: Journal 3) @12:30 – 1:45 p.m., Talent Central
• Daron Nefcy, Dominic Bisignano (Star vs. The Forces of Evil: Star and Marco’s Guide to Mastering Every Dimension) @12:30 – 1:45 p.m., Talent Central
• Pam Brandon (Delicious Disney) @3:45 – 4:45 p.m., Disney Dream Store
• Michael Singer (Disney Pirates: The Definitive Collector’s Anthology) @5:30 – 7 p.m., Talent Central
• Mindy Johnson (Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation) @6 – 7 p.m., Disney Dream Store

Saturday, July 15

• Pam Brandon @1:15 – 2:15 p.m., Disney Dream Store
• Ridley Pearson (Kingdom Keepers) @4:15 – 5:15 p.m., Talent Central
• Victoria Saxon (Poster Art of Cars) @4:15 – 5:15 p.m., Talent Central
• Dave Smith (Disney Facts Revealed) @6 – 7 p.m., Talent Central

Sunday, July 16

• Dave Smith @10 – 11 a.m., Talent Central
• Dave Bossert (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney Cartoons) @1 – 2 p.m., Talent Central
• Marty Sklar, Vanessa Hunt (Maps of the Disney Parks) @1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Talent Central
• Floyd Norman (A Kiss Goodnight) @2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Talent Central

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You might be asking yourself, “Wait a minute.  Some of these books aren’t even out yet.”  And you’d be right.  Disney Publishing is making available an early release of four of these books only at D23 Expo before they go on sale to the public!  Not only can you get your copy autographed, but you can have one before anyone else!  Listed below are the four books being released at D23 Expo:

A Kiss Goodnight – Public sale date: August 22, 2017

Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation – Public sale date: September 5, 2017

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney Cartoons – Public sale date: August 29, 2017

Art of Coloring: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas – Public sale date: July 18, 2017

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