A Kurtti Christmas

If you are looking for a perfect gift for someone still on your list, or if you have a gift certificate that's still burning a hole in your Christmas stocking, then you can't do any better than check out the great Disney books now available written by Disney historian Jeff Kurtti. The first book I'd like to reccomend is the most recent, and it's one I'm sure you all know about because it's been reccomended by just about everyone. It's of course the just-published The Art of The Princess and the Frog. Not only does it feature a Preface by John Lasseter and a Forward by directors John Musker and Ron Clements (that are quite interesting in themselves), not only is the book crammed with great artwork of every sort used to create the film (well worth the price of the book in itself), but it also features Jeff's as-always expert and eloquent writing, including a mini-history of Disney animation (hand-drawn, that is), taking us through times both glorious and inglorious right up to this new triumph. I just got this rewarding volume (a gift for me, from me) and I can't recommend it more highly. But the book I truly want to urge everyone to add to his or her library is The Art of Walt Disney World. Like Jeff's equally excellent book The Art of Disneyland, the newer Walt Disney World volume was created with the late Bruce Gordon, and overflows with truly rare conceptual drawings, paintings and other assorted artworks, plus detailed behind-the-scenes information. This is an indispensable book that—like any book by Jeff Kurtti— belongs on the shelf of every Disney lover, now and at any season of the year.