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.

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.

Little Golden Book

 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs the little big book.  This book was published in 1938.  The spinal art features the queen and the back cover features the hag being attacked by the birds after she offers Snow White a poisoned apple.

Little Golden Book

 

Here is the 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Little Golden Book.  This was one of the first things that was added to my collection that fits the 'vintage' category.  It was purchased in a store that primarliy sold movie posters (If I'm remembering correctly - it was in Westwood, CA).  The picture of the spine is not great - but under the title there is a nice picture of the queen and the back cover (bottom right picture) illustrates the birds trying to protect Snow White from the hag peddling apples.