5 Minutes for Books — How to Be Like Walt

ByJennifer Donovan Published On: Updated On:

I love my team over at 5 Minutes for Books. We each have a different favorite type of book, and so we are able to accomplish the goal of reviewing a large variety of books. We publish reviews for interesting and unique books along with recent bestsellers — for kids of all ages, gift-giving occasions, and most importantly — yourself!

Carrie found this book. When she’s not reviewing for us at 5 Minutes for Books, you’ll find her reviewing at her own blog, Reading to Know.

I don’t think its possible to say enough nice things about How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life. Seriously. At first I was deterred from it because of the cover art. It was distracting. I also knew absolutely nothing about Walt Disney when I cracked the pages of this 389 page biography published by HCI Books. When I finally did get around to reading it, I intended to skim it. As it turns out, skimming is the last thing I found myself wanting to do as I learned about the man behind the mouse: Walt Disney. I devoured this book, word by word!

Walt Disney has to be one of the most admirable men I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. Sure he had his faults and this book does not ignore them. However, in the grand scheme of things, he really was an above-board sort of fellow, devoted to his wife and family, with strong work ethics and a servant’s heart. I can imagine that he was absolutely charming to know.

I think the thing that I appreciated most in learning about Walt was his desire to dream big dreams. The focus of this book is teaching people the principals that Walt followed in his own life, and making them your own. Each chapter tells you a little more of who Walt is and then offers encouragement as to how you could pattern your own attitude to mirror his (It’s like a practical application section smack dab in the middle of a biography which is really unique and interesting, I thought!). Williams talks about how Walt lived life as an adventure, how he dared to do impossible things, how he lived for the next generation and how he unleashed his imagination.

For my part, I honed in on the fact that Walt was a great dreamer with an excellent imagination. He was constantly coming up with new ideas and new approaches to old ideas in order to improve life not only for himself but for his fellow man. He knew he had great ideas when he was met with opposition or someone told him that something “couldn’t be done.” If everyone had agreed with him that his goals were achievable, then he knew that he wasn’t dreaming big enough. Williams offers this about Walt:

Children are naturally creative because they haven’t learned to inhibit their own creativity. They still see the world with childlike wonder. They look up at the clouds and see castles, pirate ships, and dinosaurs; adults look up and see only clouds. “Every child is born blessed with a vivid imagination,” said Walt. “But just as a muscle grows flabby with disuse, so the bright imagination of a child pales in later years if he ceases to exercise it” (page 66).

Walt was never content with the status quo. He was always looking for something better and typically he found it. I would like to dream like that.

There are countless ways which I learned to admire the man Walt Disney. I appreciated his integrity towards his family, particularly. Even though he was extremely busy being the most popular man in the country, Sundays belonged to his family. Furthermore, he attended every concert and school event for his two daughters that parents were invited to attend. He wanted his children to know that they mattered to him and they grew up knowing that they did. His daughter, Diane, is the one who gave the go-ahead to Pat Williams to write this book. She admired her father and approved the idea of someone writing about Walt in such a way as to give people someone to look up. In fact, I do admire Walt Disney and I’m so glad to have read this book.

Yes, it takes a little time but all the time is worth it, I assure you!

Would you like to win a copy of this book (U.S. shipping addresses only)? Leave a comment, and please see our site’s Terms and Conditions of Use for a complete list of our Contest and Giveaway Rules.

The winner of last week’s book, The Baby Fat Diet, is #39 Lynn.

Stay tuned this week for my first-ever podcast interview with one of the authors of this book!

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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230 Comments

  1. Would love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!

  2. I’m a huge Disney fan. I’d love to read this book~thanks!

  3. Veronica Garrett says:

    I would love to win this book.

  4. i would love to win this book, have never fully read the bio of Walt but I hear it is interesting. And the fact that this book lays it out there for you too read and all is great. I am a total child at heart…..Mickey Mouse Rules.

    Thank you for the contest.

  5. Tamara Burks says:

    Sounds interesting!

  6. Thanks for the chance. Great prize!

  7. Roseann K says:

    Love to read this! Thanks!

  8. I would love to have this to read. Thanks!!

  9. Timothy Sternberg says:

    It sounds like a good read.

  10. Greg Rice says:

    Email subscriber

  11. Sounds like a good book please enter me

  12. sounds like a great book ! thnx for the opp

  13. kathy pease says:

    this sounds like a great book 🙂

  14. Valerie Furr says:

    We have yet to take our two little girls to Disney World waiting for them to be big enough
    to enjoy it now we are expecting a little boy. This Rocking Horse is the cutest thing I have seen. This would be awesome for the new little boy. Walt Disney is a great imaginative person and made the world a better place to be with his
    parks he has built. I went several years ago and it was awesome would love this book. Thanks for a chance to win.

  15. Sounds like a great book! Thanks!

  16. Jeanine P says:

    Nice prize! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  17. Thanks for the contest, please enter me. 🙂

  18. Ordell Knot says:

    I’ve always been interested in Walt Disney the man. Thanks for the giveaway!

  19. Samantha Pruitt says:

    i’d love this!

  20. Laura Pruett says:

    I would love to read my son this book so that he could understand the man behind the cartoons.

  21. Adrian Lamont says:

    This is great, count me in.

  22. This sounds wonderful. Thanks.

  23. Sandra Schmidt says:

    I have always love Walt disney. It would be great to read more about him. Thanks for the chance to win!

  24. Katherine Newton says:

    I’d love to win this book. I love reading and am running out of books to read..I’d love to have one just delivered to my door!

    Thanks for the contest.

  25. I love Disney – the theme parks, the movies – I would most definitely love to read more about the man behind all the imagination, fantasy and positive messages and energy. Walt seems to have left quite a legacy from his dream that started with a mouse.

  26. I love Disney! I’d love to read this!

  27. Sherri Siler says:

    I can’t wait to read this book. Walt Disney is one of my hero’s.

  28. I worked at Disney World for a couple of years. While I disagree with some of the decisions made by management then (in the ’80s) and more recently, I admire what Walt Disney built. For that reason, I’d love to read the book.

  29. Sounds like a great book.

  30. Sounds like an interesting read!

  31. I love all thing Disney!

  32. Barbara Hunt says:

    Thanks for the contest!

  33. This looks like a great read.

  34. I’d love to read this book. I’m a huge fan of Disney- own a bunch of Disney DVD’s and had an annual pass to DisneyWorld for 3 years when I lived in Florida. And I don’t even have kids!!

  35. Melanie D says:

    I think we could all use a bit of disney magic.
    :]

  36. What a great giveaway prize!

  37. Walt Disney has brought so much joy to so many. He is at the top of my list of people I wish I could have had dinner with. I would thoroughly enjoy reading this. Thank you for the opportunity!

  38. This would be a great book to have!

  39. I am a huge Disney fan and I would love to read this! Thanks.

  40. Janice Wright says:

    I remember watching The Wonderful World of Disney on almost every Sunday night. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

  41. I would love the chance to win, thanks.

  42. Brenda S. says:

    This sounds like a wonderful book.

  43. I think this book would be a great motivator for all of us. My preteens could even learn a bit!

  44. Ed Nemmers says:

    Happy Weekend!

  45. Vicki Wurgler says:

    it sounds like a good read

  46. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  47. Back in the day, Walt introduced the shows on The Wonderful World of Disney and I thought he had the greatest job in the world. I’d love to win a copy of this book.

  48. Susan White says:

    subscribe to your feed.

  49. Susan White says:

    I love Disney! I would love to read this book.
    Thanks so much!

  50. veronica sandberg says:

    want to win this

  51. I would love to read this 🙂

  52. Thanks for a great contest for an awesome read.

  53. I subscribe

  54. Kathy Davis says:

    I love Disney This would be really cool what do you think Disney would think of the movies they are making today….

  55. Kari Follett says:

    Im also a subscriber!

  56. Kari Follett says:

    This would be a great book to read, I’d love to win it!

  57. Paula Harmon says:

    I want to be more like Walt, and catch Disney magic everyday in my life. It wouldn’t hurt to have a little of his money too…

  58. I love reading about famous people and I love history. This looks like a great book.

  59. Suzanne Reichel says:

    Walt Disney was a visionary and has brought so much joy to the world.

  60. Carrie Baird says:

    I would love to win this. I am a big Disney fan!

  61. Jay French says:

    I’ve always loved Walt Disney’s story.

  62. Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

  63. Lisa Vance says:

    Walt Disney had a great outlook on life, this should be a great read.

  64. CHARLENE S. says:

    I love Disney & I love biographies, so thanks for the giveaway :o)

  65. I would like to read this book.

  66. I subscribe

  67. I am a huge fan of walt disney and would love to read this book. I had the priveledge of attending a seminar on disneys organizational/ creative thinking. It was very interesting and i still use one of the worksheets. Please enter me.

  68. dorothy l says:

    sounds like a interesting book I would love to win

  69. I’m a subscriber.

  70. Sounds like a great book.

  71. I’d like to be like Walt – except for cryogenically stored decapitated head thing. That’s just too far for me.

  72. It sounds like a really good read! Thanks for the giveaway

  73. Rachel Newman says:

    I am always looking for positive ways to keep the world looking bright. This would be a great win.

    Thanks!

    ladyspy79@aol.com

  74. Angela Palmer says:

    Living in FL we know a lot about Disney. It would be nice to get past the facts and more into his head.

  75. Jennifer Hedden says:

    enter me

  76. perfect, a guide to keeping things frozen.

  77. Julia Magrath says:

    Disneyland is my family’s favorite place in the world, I would love this book!

  78. Katherine Frazier says:

    I hope reading this book will help me tap into my own creativity.

  79. PamperingBeki says:

    I’m a HUGE Walt Disney fan. I did more than one research paper on him in my school days.

    I would love to have this!

  80. I’d love to read this. We’re big fans of anything Disney.

    rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

  81. I would really like to read this book. It sounds so interesting.

  82. Gabriel J. says:

    Please, enter me, great prize!!!

  83. REBECCA TOWNER says:

    who doesn’t love Disney??

  84. awesome! what a great book to win! my daughter loves disney and I would love to read this one 🙂 thanks!

  85. Jason Nickolay says:

    Walt Disney was a very inspiring person, and this looks like a very useful reference

  86. I have your button on my sidebar too.

  87. I’m a feed subscriber

  88. I’m a newsletter subscriber

  89. I’m a huge Disney fan, I’d love to win.

  90. Donna Wilde says:

    I would love to wint his awesome prize!

  91. this sounds like a wonderful book and i would love to read it. I am always trying to strengthen myself and how better to learn but from Walt Disney.

  92. Kathy Scott says:

    Disney is the best. This looks like a good read.

  93. Gary Osborn says:

    Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!

  94. David Clark says:

    I am part of a family that is multigenerational Disney fans. We all love different projects that have come from the Disney company. My youngest is a certified Mickey-oholic!

    Thanks for the contest!

    superdavefive(at)yahoo(dot)com

  95. Stephanie says:

    Looks like a good book! I’ve always been fascinated by Walt Disney and all that he accomplished. I’d love to read his full biography.

    And I think I’m going to add this book to my Amazon.com wishlist. 🙂

  96. Sounds like a good book. Walt was a genius and a character.

  99. I think I would really enjoy reading this!

  100. Samantha R says:

    I subscribe to feeds

  101. Samantha R says:

    I would love to read this!

  102. I’d love to read this, my favorite animated feature of all time was Snow White–

  103. Linda Gilbert says:

    I would love to win this book.

  104. I would like to win this book as I enjoy everything about Walt Disney.

  105. much to learn

  106. I need to be more like Walt and not afraid to push the envelope. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  107. I would love to be like Walt and see the magic in everyday things!

  108. Melissa P says:

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  109. Monique Bradley says:

    I am a huge Walt Disney fan! He is absolutely one of my heroes. I’d love to read this book.

  110. Ken Stross says:

    I grew up with ‘Uncle Walt’ every Sunday night on the Wonderful World of Disney. This sounds like an excellant addition to my Disney library.

  111. david basile says:

    big disnry fan i would really like to own this

  112. Linda Howard says:

    Please enter me. Thanks!

  113. I am very interested in this book. If I don’t win, I hope my library has it!

  114. Cheryl Riecke says:

    I think the book would be very interesting, would very much love to read it.

  115. Angela Wilson says:

    I love all things Disney, so this would be a great book for my collection

  116. Having been to Disney world over 10 times, I would be very interested to read all about the man resposible for such an incredible place.

  117. Carol Lawrence says:

    Mr. Disney started it all,a great man. I would love to read the book.

  118. Terra Heck says:

    I’d like to read this book.

  119. Stephen Saunders says:

    This book would be a keeper.

    And wow, I did attempt reading through those terms and conditions but OMG… I don’t have the patience to read all that. I’ll just try to behave myself and hope that will suffice. 😉

  120. Shirley Hodge says:

    I am afraid that I agree with DeMille a great friend of Walt’s who said that if Walt Disney could see what is being created and shown on TV in his name he would turn over in his grave. I recently spend some time with my grandaughter watching TV especially the Disney channel and was apalled at what I saw being broadcast for young children.

  121. I’d love to read this book and get reacquainted with my creative inner child!

  122. Dianna A. says:

    I would love to get to know a Mr. Disney a bit better. I think he shares a wonderful message. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this contest for such a great book.

  123. Sandra P. says:

    What a wonderful message to share, I would love to get a better grasp of this message.

  124. i also get your newsletter.

  125. i subscribe to your feed.

  126. i would love to read this book.

  127. Christine Groce says:

    I’m a subscriber. Count me in. Thanks!!

  128. Faerylandmom says:

    How refreshing to know that someone like Walt Disney isn’t covered in dirt! I would love to read such an optimistic book!

    I subscribe to your feed and newsletter. 🙂

  129. I love the idea of this book 🙂

  130. I subscribe to your feed.

  131. I get your newsletter.

  132. This sounds like an interesting read!

  133. Sherra Petersen says:

    I need this book to remind me to use my imagination!

  134. Would love to win this for my father in law, he is a big Walt Disney fan.

  135. looks like an interesting book, thanks for the chance to win it

  136. Veronica L. says:

    Would love to read this book! Thanks for a great giveaway 🙂

  137. Sounds like a good book! Thank you!

  138. I also subscribe to the newsletter!

  139. I subscribe to your feed via bloglines!

  140. Looks like a great read! Thanks!

  141. Your button is on my sidebar, thanks!

  142. I get your newsletter, thanks!

  143. I am a subscriber, thanks

  144. Nora Scott-Platt says:

    I love disney and this would be a great way to look at life.

  145. Looks very interesting-thanks!

  146. Sounds great!!

  147. christopher h says:

    sounds like a great book

  148. Francine Anchondo says:

    Newsletter Subscriber

  149. Francine Anchondo says:

    Feed Subsciber

  150. Francine Anchondo says:

    I love disney anything and would be interested in reading this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  151. Catherine copeland says:

    this sounds like an amazing book.

  152. jane jakins says:

    walt disney

  153. ellen cunningham says:

    Ever since our honeymoon at Disney my husband has been a Disney fanatic so count me in.

  154. Thank you for a delightful book review. What a great incentive to read a
    good book!

    Thanks also for the contest. Best wishes for a happy & prosperous 2009!

  155. nicole schellhas says:

    i’m a huge disney fan.. walts my idol! i would love to win this one!

  156. Elizabeth Ray says:

    I’ve always been fascinated with Walt, but I’ve never seen this particular book. Count me in!

  157. Michelle Henderson says:

    I’m the ultimate Disney freak and I would love to win this! Thanks for the chance!

  158. Adrienne Gordon says:

    great book

  159. Lisagee123 says:

    Twittered

  160. Lisagee123 says:

    newsletter subscriber at same email name but at aol.

  161. Lisagee123 says:

    My brother used to work for the company.
    He’d like this book.

  162. Becky Grayson says:

    This sounds like a fantastic read. Something that I wouldn’t have thought about reading before I read the review.

    Thanks so much!

  163. TheAngelForever says:

    I also subscribe to your feed.

  164. TheAngelForever says:

    I receive your newsletter.

  165. TheAngelForever says:

    This books sounds wonderful. Thanks for the great opportunity.

  166. I’m a subscriber on Google Reader.

  167. Having been obsessed with all things Disney for 35 years, this would indeed be perfect for me. I have been in awe of the way he created a place where you could leave your troubles behind and enter a new, positive happy place if only for a day or 2.Love to read this book.

  168. I just went to Disneyland, and would love to learn more about the amazing mind behind it all!

  169. I’ve always loved Disney and am fascinated by their seemingly endless creativity and imagination. I would love to get a little more of that back in my life!

  170. I’ve got your button!

  171. I subscribe to your newsletter.

  172. I’d love to win this book! Thanks so much!

  173. I subscribe to your newsletter too, thanks!

  174. Oh my GOSH! I’d LOVE to win!! I am a HUGE Disney fan and even had the honor of playing Mickey Mouse and other similar height characters when I was in the Walt Disney World College Program my fresh. year of college. I would LOVE this book!!! It just sounds fabulous. Thanks so much!!!

  175. C. clemens says:

    HI, please enter me.

  176. I’m a subscriber as well.

  177. Look great! Can’t wait to read it!

  178. I would *love* to win this book. Walt was part of my childhood. Thank you for the chance to win!

  179. Ken Robinson says:

    Disney rulez, dude. Please accept my entry. Thank you.

  180. I am just a Disney fanatic I have to put my name on the list. Sounds like a great read.

  181. What a wonderful gift for my hubbie who is the biggest Disney fan you will meet!

  182. Jaclyn Reynolds says:

    This book looks awesome! Huge Disney fan here. 🙂

  183. rita hessey says:

    I’d love to read this! I love all things Disney.

  184. I’m facebooking this!!

  185. I have a button on my blog!

  186. I subscribe via google reader

  187. My daughter LOVES anything Disney!! She would love this!

  188. susan varney says:

    love to win

  189. shannon Baas says:

    Sounds like a good book.

  190. Krista Stone says:

    This book sounds like something I would enjoy–thanks for sharing this review!

  191. I love reading about anything Disney and the man behind the mouse! We are actually going to DisneyWorld next week, so excited!!!

  192. PisecoMom says:

    Sounds like a great book! I’d love to read it.

  193. michele anne jaquays says:

    Once again another great giveaway. i sure would like to win.

  194. Walt Disney was an amazing man and very talented man who had the vision of park where people could spend time with their children unlike anywhere else in the world. He definitely made that dream come true and we all continue to enjoy it and return year after year. It truly is a magical place.

  195. Lisa McLeod says:

    Love Disney.

  196. Karen Gonyea says:

    Count me in 🙂

  197. Heather Johnson says:

    and I’m subscribed in Google Reader already 🙂

  198. Heather Johnson says:

    I’d love to win this – Disney is my favorite place in the world

  199. MRS.MOMMYY says:

    love reading about walt disney and all that went thru to make his dreams come true-sounds interesting

  200. I would love to read this book! Thanks!

  201. Amy from Occupation: Mommy says:

    This sounds like a great book!

  202. Angela C. says:

    I subscribe

  203. Angela C. says:

    I remember reading a biography of Walt Disney when I was in grade school and I thought he was a great man then. I would love to read this one.

    accoupons at gmail dot com

  204. Good Luck to all

  205. This sounds like a great read! I have been to Disney only a hand full of times in my life but now that i have kids i find myself more intranced with Disney than i was as a kid. I get to relive the excitement and joy through the eyes of my children and it is amamzing. I would love to know the man who was able to embody this experience into a place for family.

  206. what a fascinating man-count me in to win the book!

  207. I came over from 5 Minutes for Books–I’d love to win this one!

  208. Michael Capp says:

    I’d love to win!

  209. I subscribe to your feed.

  210. Please enter me. This books sounds great.

  211. This sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

  212. Charlotte Winters says:

    I’d love to win this book. It sounds like a really good read! Thanks.

  213. I get your newsletter.

  214. I have your button. ceeceeblogger.blogspot.com

  215. Denise Sachs says:

    This sounds like a great prize!

  216. I subscribe.

  217. What a nice book, I’ve never seen it before.

  218. Colette S says:

    I have the giveaway button on my blog

  219. Colette S says:

    I subscribe

  220. Colette S says:

    I would love to win

  221. Upstatemomof3 says:

    I suscribe to your feed.

  222. Upstatemomof3 says:

    I get your newsletter.

  223. Upstatemomof3 says:

    I love Disney. I would be thrilled to win a copy of this book.

  224. Newsletter Subscriber

  225. Feed Subsciber

  226. I'[d love o read this, I love all things “Disney”

  227. This sounds like a wonderful book. Something different from my usual romance novels.

  228. Well I for one shall stay tuned for that interview.
    Best wishes

  229. i subscribe to your feed.

  230. it sounds like a good read…count me in! thanks!

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