Book Review: Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara by Emily Zemler

 

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 twentieth 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. 

  

Featuring concept art, memorabilia, and original interviews, Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara explores the legacies of the princesses and what they represent today. 

 
 

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 (the 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. 

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REVIEW 

 
 

Containing a special forward by Jodi Benson (Ariel the Little Mermaid herself.) Zeller entertains and educates, examining Disney princesses' power in our lives and culture. The most delightful book to grace your bookshelf or coffee table (The cover is gorgeous.) Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara will warm the hearts of all Disney princess lovers all over.  

 
 Zelmer starts us with the queen of Disney princesses herself, Snow White. As we go on a journey to explore how these princesses were born and designed and how they became the pop culture staples, we know today, influencing everything from cookbooks to music to home decor to makeup to fashion. The book includes stories from the artist creators, voice actors, and fans who have been inspired by these leading ladies we love so much.  

  

Beautiful to display on a coffee table, Beyond The Tiara also includes fabulous photos, development sketches, and artwork to please the casual reader's eye. I love learning the behind Disney magic lore, and Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara delivers.  I enjoyed this book thoroughly. It also brought back fond memories of how I fell in love with Disney princesses all over again. 

  

I grew up pretty much in a Disney Princess drought. Of course, there was the classic Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty (who was my fave at the time.) It was not until 1984, when Michael Eisner, Frank Wells, and Jeffery Katzenberg arrived, that the "Princess rebirth," you could say, started with The Little Mermaid in 1989. So I was a young teenager (14) by then but got entranced instantly. Hey, Ariel was a young teen, and so was I. I could so relate! And to think Walt Disney had wanted to do a take on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale for decades!  

  

These fascinating tidbits and more are sprinkled throughout that you never knew about Walt Disney, or your favorite princesses, before. Belle, though is my fave as she could read a book while walking, which was something I had done for years. An excellent book for the princess lover in you. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emily Zemler is a writer and journalist based in London. She is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, among other prestigious outlets. Emily is the co-author of 'A Sick Life,' with TLC’s Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins, and the author of 'The Art and Making of Aladdin' and 'Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara.'