10 Books Every Snow White Fan Needs

I was recently inspired by an episode of WDW Radio and got to thinking about which books every Snow White fan should have.  So here it goes, my top 10 list of Snow White books...

First up is the 1987 book written by Richard Holliss and Brian Sibley: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs & the Making of the Classic Film.  This book was republished in 1994 for the re-release of the VHS tape.  This book has three sections: the first is a history of the behind the making of the film, the second is a retelling of the story where the illustrations are all production art, the final section discusses the film's impact.  This is one of the most complete books about Snow White history.  Below are pictures of the three versions I own:

This version came in a VHS box set

Second, every Snow White fan needs to have a 1937 version of the story.  The book below is a 1987 reprint of a 1937 edition.  Why a older version of the storybook?  The oldest story books include scenes that didn't make it into the final version.  This particular book includes Snow White's mother and the dwarfs building a bed.

Most children have a few Little Golden books around - and there are no shortage of Snow White versions.  Below is my favorite: The Little Big Book.

This next book is all about the beautiful concept art by Gustaf Tenggren: Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  This was published in 2009.

Fifth on the list is Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs An Art in Its Making featuring the collection of Stephen H. Ison is a fabulous book featuring some amazing art.  This book was published in 1994 to go with an exhibit in Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Sixth is the Walt Disney's Sketch Book of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  The version I have is a 1993 reprint.  The book is filled with detailed character sketches for all of the main characters.

Next is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Art and Creation of Walt Disney's Classic Animated Film.  This book was released when the Walt Disney Family Museum had their Snow White exhibit.  It is a fantastic collection of production art.

Ninth on the list is a linen book.  These Whitmore publishing books are so detailed and the extra large size makes them a great statement piece in the collection.  Below are a few of my favorites.

The last and final book on the top ten list is The Fairest One of All: The Making of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  This is the most complete history of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  I've been reading through this impressive book and there are a lot of stories I haven't heard before.

It's a book...or is it?

For the holidays this year, I got several Disney history books.  I, in fact, have quite a bit of reading to do.  One of the books I received was the Disney A to Z encyclopedia.  I was quite surprised to receive a copy of this book: I love this book, but I have two copies of it at home.  So, I was surprised to see it as a gift.

But then, I began the think, wait, this doesn't feel right, it feels too light for a book this size.  And lo and behold, it was in fact a book box.  My family sent a copy to Takota Wood and the artist turned it into a book box!  Knowing my love for Snow White the artist had taken that specific page  for the inside of the book.  What a very unique and cool gift!

The Vault of Walt

Jim Korkis has written a fabulous book entitled The Vault of Walt.  The book is a collections of stories and information regarding a variety of topics Disney related.  I was pleasantly surprised at how much information about Snow White I gathered from this book.  In fact, there is an entire chapter dedicated to Snow White's Christmas Premiere.  I have gathered many interesting facts to share This is one book that all Disney fans should read.

Happy Helping Hands

In this see-through storybook the dwarfs are off to do their chores: Doc wash the windows, Grumpy collect apples, Sneezy collect flowers, Dopey dig a well, and Sleepy clean out the chimney.  Well Grumpy 'borrows' the ladder from Happy, Bashful and Doc play with Grumpy's basket, Sleepy takes a nap, Dopey creates a mess, and who thought it would be a good idea for Sneezy to pick flowers?  Published in 1996.

Uh Oh, Dopey!

Poor Dopey and Grumpy wake up late and are left at the cottage - all the other dwarfs have already gone!  In the rush to leave Dopey mayhem for Grumpy - It seems the better title would be Uh Oh, Grumpy!  Of course all turns out fine and Snow White thanks Dopey and Grumpy for cleaning up the cottage.
The book is a board book with a rubber Dopey squeaker in the center.  You squeak Dopey each time the book says "Uh Oh, Dopey!" (published 1994)

If You Met Snow White

 

Snow White tells her own tale in this version.  When talking about her stepmother: "she was very beautiful, but she had little time for me."  Of the nasty business in the woods with the huntsman all she has to say "one day I was taken from the castle and left alone in the woods" - seems the little princess is blocking some memories.

Well, she found the dwarfs where they made her a bed and she does all kinds of things for them: finding glasses, picking berries, gathering flowers, singing, listening to Happy yodel, and playing the concertina.  And what does she do for fun?  Ride in the dwarfs mine cart, wade in a pool with her animal friends, and sketch - of course!

Released in 1996

Snow White: A Read-Aloud Storybook

A read-along storybook, there are large wonderful pictures in this book.  The Queen/Hag has quite a few pages throughout.  This book was released in 1999.  Ten years later, the book was re-released as a 'limited collector's edition.'  The differences are the front cover, the inside of the front cover and back cover, and the special poster that is included.  The poster is the image on the front cover.

The Seven Dwarfs Find a Home

This book, released in 1948 (this is a 1952 release) is a Mickey Mouse Club Book with pictures by the Walt Disney Studio.
You see, the dwarfs had a mine, but nowhere to call home.  They slept in tress, caves, or just on the ground.  Doc, being the practical leader he is, decides they need a home, and calls upon the forest animals to find one.  Which they clean up to call their own.  Luckily there were seven little beds already, and Happy cooked a wonderful meal.  Grumpy played the organ (again, how lucky to have it t here) and Doc insisted they wash up.
My question is when did the dwarfs get so lazy?  They did just fine cleaning up the place when they moved in, Sneezy even used the broom.  So how did this group get so lack?  And who were these mysterious people that lived in the cottage before the our dwarfs found it?  There was really another group of seven individuals who used seven little beds with names carved on them.  Just sayin'

Dopey Loses the Diamonds

Poor Dopey! Home from work one day and low and behold, the bag Dopey was carrying ripped and he lost all the jewels.  After much searching, they didn't turn up.  Lucky for Dopey, the forest animals collected the diamonds and decorated the cottage.
The book, published in 1994, was illustrated by Toby Bluth and features 'glittering faceted foil.'

How to Draw

This Walter Foster how to draw book, published in 1993, includes instructions on how to draw Snow White, the dwarfs, the Queen, the Hag, the Prince, the Huntsman, and many of the forest creatures (including the vulture and raven).

De Sju Sma Dvargarna

This book, published in 1989 in Swedish, is titled: The seven dwarfs are visited.  The dwarfs spend time fixing up the cottage for a visit from Snow White and her prince.  The inside covers of the book feature a run down on the names of each dwarf:
Sleepy: Blyger
Dopey: Toker
Bashful: Prosit
Happy: Glader
Grumpy: Butter
Sneezy: Trotter
Doc: Kloker

Snow White Book

In this book, published in 1967, there isn't a clear story.  The book begins by asking questions about who could possibly live in this little house.  We find it is "seven funny little, tiny little, lonely little men."  They resist Doc's chore chart and discuss, over breakfast, how they wish they had someone to care for them.  Off to the mine at night (where Dopey thinks about his wish to be tucked in at night).  They come home and begin asking questions about the changed state of their home and welcome Snow White.  My favorite part of this book is that Snow White's skirt looks like it has been colored by a child with crayon.  Not sure I understand the style.

Tales from the Cottage

This book published in 1994 features seven chapters: one for each dwarf.  Snow White has just finished telling her tale of her prince and is ready to send the dwarfs to bed.  They protest because Snow White has shared her story, but they haven't shared their stories.  And so it begins -
Chapter One: Doc of all Trades.  Doc story has him following the animals to help out one of their own in trouble - a dragon - yes, I said dragon.
Chapter two is Sleepy and the Nap Before Christmas.
Chapter three is Dopey's tale: Snow Time for Fun.
Chapter four: Sneezy's Story, where he actually manages to blow the roof of the cottage off.
Silence is Golden is chapter five. Bashful is sent to town to sell some jewels where he is too shy to talk. 
Grumpy's Story, chapter six, has Grumpy saving a baby bird - aww.
And finally - Oh, Happy's Day, where Happy manages to turn a bad day into fun for his pals.

The Complete Story of Walt Disney's Snow White

This book was originally published in 1937 and was reissued to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Snow white.  The book is illustrated with original drawings and is some of the most beautiful art there is.  The story includes Snow White's mother and the dwarfs making the bed.  In fact, it also features the making of the bed as well.
The story is the same as the Magic Mirror book I featured earlier but there are far more illustrations in this version.

The Making of the Classic Film

The essential book for any fan of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs fan is Richard Hollis and Brian Sibley's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs & The Making of the Classic Film.  I am aware of three different versions that have been published.

This is the first version published in 1987 for Snow White's 50th anniversary.

This version was released in 1994 to coincide with the promotional push that came with the video release.

This version was also released in 1994 but only as part of the the Exclusive Deluxe Limited Edition Set.  The deluxe set (seen below) included  a videocassette of Snow White, a special commemorative making of Snow White video, the book, and ten limited edition lithographs of the original theatrical posters.  A$120 value (sold at Disney Store for $74.99).

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Golden Books

In some earlier articles this month I featured the original Golden Book.  Here are some other Golden Books in my collection.

This book was originally published in 1952, the photo copy is the twenty-seventh printing in 1972.  Some interesting features include a title page that depicts the dwarfs making Snow White's bed (a scene cut from the film).  It also depicts Snow White's mother doing needle point wishing for a little girl and snow white as a baby.
The regular story is told but interesting the colors on the the Queen's robe and Snow White's rags are all different than the film colors.  On some pages Snow White's yellow dress has red polka dots.  (They disappear while Snow White cleans the dwarfs home.

This book, published in 1948, depicts a different looking mother, and again the colors are off.  This book is a Mickey Mouse Club Book produced under the supervision of the Walt Disney Studio.  The story includes the making of the bed scene and the Queen address the mirror by saying: Mirror, mirror on the wall.

Same as above version but the fortieth printing in 1976.

1984 printing.  Story has changed back to film version and colors are true to film.  Even includes great art of the hag falling off the cliff.

1984 paperback version.

1984 large hard cover version.  Only difference is on cover page art.

1992 paperback shaped version.  Features different art than previous versions.  Great pictures of the Queen.

Published 1999.  Different cover art but inside is the same as the 1984 books.

Real Home Baking

In this November 1994 issue Pillsbury features an exclusive Snow White make at home cookies.  The recipes show you how to cut and adjust the basic round shape into cookies.  To make the dwarf's noses use mini marshmallows (of varying sizes).

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Paint Book

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Paint Book...to color with paints and crayons.  Published by Whitman Publishing Company in Racine, Wisconsin in 1938 (by Walt Disney enterprises Hollywood, Calif.).
The first page features the queen sitting by the window sewing wishing she had a little girl.  The book I have is missing quite a few pages but the story continues to follow the movie.  The end of the book is seven pages dedicated to the dwarfs.  Each dwarf has a page and a short description.
The art on the cover of the book is the same as the artwork on the back.

Snow White Magic Mirror Book

The Snow White Magic Mirror Book was published by Dean &Son Ltd. in London with permission of Walt Disney-Mickey Mouse Ltd.  The story is the full tale of the movie (60 pages) and includes  a brief appearance from Snow White's mom before she dies.  The story uses the lyrics of the songs throughout and even includes lyrics that were not in the film.  In addition the Queen refers to the the mirror once by saying Mirror, mirror (in the film, she says Magic Mirror).

The huntsman has an internal dialogue with himself while debating if he should carry out the queens orders:

"If I kill her my soul will burn for evermore, and my shame will be so great that I shall hate myself and hang my head before all men.  Yet if I fail the Queen, she will feed me to her panthers or shrink me magically to the size of a walnut"  The Queen has panthers?

Most interesting ins chapter 17: "A Gift for Snow White."  This whole chapter retells the making of the bed scene that was cut from the final film.

The story ends with Grumpy: "Wimmin! They just come and go!"

On the final page is an ad for Stephenson's polish: just a flick of the tail (Sorry! duster), brings up a shine that really makes you whistle.

What makes this book so remarkable is the Magic Spectacles.  Through out the book are "six special coloured pictures printed in this book are really stereoscopic scenes that enable you to see into the distance with wonderful real-life effect."  The book also cautions views to "take care of your Magic Spectacles and do not finger the gelatine or it will become cloudy."

 My copy has an inscription from the voice of Snow White (not verified).

Dopey: He Don't Talk None

Walt Disney's Dopey: He Don't Talk None! is a linen book published in 1938 by Whitman Publishing Co.  The story is a collection of Dopey's antics: Last to leave the mine, Dopey finds a lonely deer so he hooks the lantern on the deer's tail to give the creature light and then uses a red jewel (he just happens to have up his sleeve) as a tail light on his own belt. 
To avoid doing dishes Dopey plays with a pipe and soap bubbles, until Doc tells the men to grab him and put his to work, but again, Dopey runs off to play music. Well the dwarfs all dance and sing until Doc realizes that again Dopey has evaded work, and so as punishment: they all tickle him (of course, what other way would you do it?). 
Suddenly it appears that all the dwarfs have just become too tired so Dopey falls asleep with a bunny for a pillow.  That morning the birds wake Dopey up with (I kid you not) " Tweet-tweet-tweet! Bag of lazy bones! Get up!"
Well Dopey feels ashamed, leaps up and begins to use the feather duster on everything.  Including Sneezy.  Well you can see where that would lead - Dopey ends up in a tree.
This book is one of my favorites as the art is beautiful in it.  It is about 9 by 12 inches in size.