The name Disney conjures up all sorts of things: cartoons, Mickey Mouse, amusement parks. But once, it was simply the last name of a kid growing up on a farm in Missouri, and then in the urban environment of Kansas City. He had to work hard as a kid, but he always drew, too. Lucky enough to be born in an age of new entertainment industries, he took the public''s fascination with movies to new heights. Although there were certainly down moments in his career and near bankruptcy, Disney always managed to bounce back. This introduction to Disney gives readers a feel for the young Walt and the things in his background that accounted for his success, including his ability to dream big. One might expect that a biography published by Disney Press would accentuate the positive, and this does. There is nothing about Disney''s anti-Semitism or the fact that Disney would not hire women for key positions. As a baseline biography, though, this works, and discussion questions will be useful for teachers. To be illustrated with photos. - Ilene Cooper-Booklist