The Woman Behind the Magic

How Lillian B. Disney Shaped the Disney Legacy

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Beach Lane Books/A Paula Wiseman Book

(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

pub. 6.3.2025

40 pages

Ages 4 - 8

Author: Brittany Richman

   Illustrator: Joanie Stone

Character: Lillian B. Disney

Overview:

"As a child, Lilly learned that working behind-the-scenes was its own special talent. When she grew up, her magical sense of adventure led her to the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. She became one of the first women in the animation industry, where she worked as an ink and paint artist and later, as the studio’s first secretary.

After Lilly and Walt fell in love, they got married in 1925, and Lilly continued adding her own magic to Walt’s wild ideas—including encouraging him to keep trying cartoons when the studio was in danger of closing and giving Mickey Mouse his name. Together, they became an unstoppable team. From cartoon ideas to theme park innovations, Lilly helped shape Disney history."

Tantalizing taste:

"Lilly thought about the magic that had shaped her life – in the behind- the- scenes, everyday moments….There was magic found in laughter… in courage … and in love. So there must be magic inside herself, too – a magic that would never fade, as long as she kept believing. And even though her magic was different from Walt's, it was enough.

With Roy's Help, Disney World was completed…

Lilly B. Disney still believed in magic. She promised herself she'd spend the rest of her life behind the scenes, helping others believe in it too. After all, that was just the way she liked it."

And something more: Brittany Richman in the Author's Note explains: "I've been a huge Disney fan since I was a little girl.… In fact, writing this story came about quite unexpectedly on one trip. As we walked down Main Street, we passed the copper Partners statue of Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouse's hand. Something about it caught my eye: Walt's hand had a wedding ring on it. I had never thought about Walt being married. Who was his wife? Surely she had played a role in his success. My research into the life of Lillian Bounds Disney started that very moment."