Disney Book Releases for August 2021
August is a pretty lightweight month for official and unofficial Disney book releases, but there’s still some titles worth considering.
Kids fiction
Disney Princess Magical Worlds (Disney Press, August 3) is a picture book with locations from twelve films, from Cinderella to Moana.
Iron Man: My Mighty Marvel First Book (August 17) looks at “his abilities, skills, and friends,” and written for “baby and up.” Illustrated by Bob Layton, who co-wrote the Iron Man comic for many years, establishing a number of recurring characters, Iron Man’s specialized armours, and Tony Stark’s alcoholism.
Marvel Spidey and his Amazing Friends has already been given a Little Golden Book treatment with The Power of Three, available as an ebook or hardcover. The “heroes learn that teamwork is the best way to bring down the bad guys.”
Disney Hyperion adds another title to the Disney Chills label, written by Vera Strange. Liar, Liar, Head on Fire (August 10) takes place in Greece at the time of Hercules, with Hades, Lord of the Dead as its villain.
Teen fiction
For a bit older of an audience, Disney Manga: Descendants – Mal’s Royal Challenge (August 24) comes from the Tokyopop-owned label.
VIZ Media is releasing their own title, Disney Cruella: The Manga: Black, White and Red (August 17), based on the plot of the movie.
Kids non-fiction
Disney Princess: Healthy Treats Cookbook (August 31) includes more than fifty recipes for kid-friendly snacks, that can be made by kids. The book is scattered with images and facts about the Princesses, but more importantly the recipes are framed as if they’re from the characters. For example:
To do her best in battle, Mulan needs snacks that will give her energy and help her brain work quickly. Eggs are high in protein and one of the best dietary sources of choline, an important nutrient for brain power.
Certified nutritionist and chef Ariane Resnick is the author of five other books, and has been featured in magazine and on national television programs.
Marvel Avengers: The Ultimate Character Guide New Edition (August 3) from DK is exactly what it sounds like. Written for ages 7 to 9 years old.
Adult non-fiction
Disney Editions has only released The Making of Disney’s Jungle Cruise (July 30) as an ebook. It looks at the attraction, the movie’s influences, and production, with interviews of the cast and key crew. Author Michel Goldman previously wrote The Art and Making of The Lion King, about the Jon Favreau remake. His non-Disney works include John Wayne: The Genuine Article, which appeared on The New York Times bestseller list in 2013.
Available as an ebook, Disney Made Easy for Kids!: The Fun Guide to Walt Disney World is designed to allow kids to help decide what to do at the park. An edition of the book released in April has a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Amazon.
Adult fiction
What if there was flooding in Florida, an incoming tsunami, terrorists, and a fungal infection in the wetland wildlife? Alligators in Shades of Green (July 30) follows a veterinarian and a bat researcher, as they traverse through Wild Florida and Walt Disney World theme parks, avoiding alligators. Quite the premise. Self-published.
Buyer beware
Caution if you’re a Sherman Brothers’ fan. Amazon is offering at least six books about the duo, all by different “authors.” None of whom have any past titles, or even show up on Google. Inevitably, these are written by robots, harvesting text from across the Internet.