There is a bedtime ritual that takes place each night with my son. After he brushes his teeth, he selects two storybooks for me to read. I love reading to him, which is probably a result of my mother reading stories to me as a child. Soon, we will have a new bedtime story when a book about Duffy the Disney Bear arrives at Disney Parks on October 14. The book is titled “Duffy the Disney Bear, Mickey’s New Friend,” and it was inspired by stories first introduced at Tokyo Disney Resort. The book was written by Jessie Ward from Disney Publishing in New York with illustrations by Monty Maldovan, an artist from Disney Design Group in Florida. You may recall that Monty has also designed many of the costumes and bears introduced at Disney Parks. I spoke with Monty whom I recently discovered reading the new storybook to several of his friends.
“This was the first time I’ve ever provided illustrations for a storybook,” explained Monty. “I recall my mother reading stories to me as a child, so I was pretty excited to work on this project. It took me about two months to create the hand drawn illustrations used in the book. I then worked with an artist named Robert Vann who added a watercolor texture effect to each illustration. I think my favorite image is found on pages 8 and 9 where Minnie Mouse presents Mickey with his Duffy. I love the colors in the image. When drawing the characters, I prefer to make them big and up close which is exactly like this image.”
The thing that most impressed me was the number of illustrations Monty created; the book has 32 pages! I was fortunate to speak with Jessie Ward via the telephone from New York about her work on the book.
“I used stories that were featured on product hangtags in Tokyo Disney Resort as the basis for the story,” said Jessie. “I have written other books for Disney Editions but this is my first story about Duffy. While writing it, I thought of my experiences as a child. I often spent time on the water with my parents and liked to bring along a doll as a companion. I liked the idea of Mickey and Duffy having adventures together, especially since Mickey was a sailor like I am. I even added some humor when Mickey and Duffy tried new foods.”
To celebrate the release of this book (and the fact that Duffy has been in the United States for a year), we are holding a special meet and greet with Monty at Epcot on October 14. He will be signing books from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Disney’s Traders in World Showcase near Mexico Pavilion. Once you meet Monty, you can also meet Duffy in his new Halloween attire across the promenade, and enjoy the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival (you know where I will be).
We also have a special treat for Passholders in Florida on October 14. We have created a t-shirt for a 17-inch Duffy the Disney Bear. In Florida, the first 750 Passholders who present a valid annual pass at Disney’s Traders in Epcot will receive this shirt. There is a limit of one shirt per Passholder with valid annual pass, and Passholders must be present in order to receive the shirt. All shirts available while supplies last.
Stay tuned next later this week as my fellow author Michelle Harker will have details about the 17-inch Duffy Bear shirt give away for Passholders at Disneyland Resort.
Finally, I have great news for anyone looking to get this storybook or other select Duffy items via the Internet. A new Duffy the Disney Bear boutique recently launched via the Disney Parks online store with a variety of items including bears, costumes, pins and more. The new storybook will also be released via the online store on November 7, 2011.
If you are in Florida, I hope to see you on October 14 at Epcot. Be sure to bring your Duffy the Disney Bear.
Comments
I tried to purchase the Duffy Storybook online but it is not available.According to your post it says it would be online after Nov. 7.
I would love to get it for my grand daughter for Christmas. She has the bear from our Sept. trip to DisneyWorld and just loves it.
Is it or will it be possible to purchase the book online soon?
Thanks to Monty and Steven both for an awesome time on Friday. I’m glad I flew out – It was great to support Monty and the work he’s done with Duffy in the US and it was awesome to meet you Steven – let me know when you’re ready to make that return visit to Tokyo Disney – you know I’d meet you there since I’m close! 😀
I can’t wait to read it! 🙂
Can’t wait to add this to our library at home. I love the teaching moment this sets up for my kids. They can learn to share their love by making something special for family members and friends that aren’t always near. What a great lesson.
Where I buy one?
@Barbara – At this point, we do not have plans for additional meet and greet opportunities with Monty. Sorry.
@Bernadette – This is a different story based off of stories first shared at Tokyo Disney Resort. There is a very short story that is currently attached to Duffy but this book is more elaborate. It’s 32 pages and the illustrations are beautiful!!
@Thomas – The book is being released at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World on October 14. And the book is coming to the Disney Parks online store in November – http://www.disneystore.com/mn/1006801/
I LOVE Duffy, is this the same book that was attached to the original “bear” a long time ago, I don’t think he was named yet, but I used to and still do buy these bears for all my friends and family that are having children/babies. the book used to be ‘attached” to the bear, and it was in a tiny green little outfit…
Wow — this is exciting. We are coming to WDW in December and will get a book and a Duffy for each of our two grandsons. Is there any way to get a signed book if we will not be there on Oct. 14th? I would love to have one for myself as I have a Duffy Bear of my own!
It’s wonderful that Disney is still publishing stories that can be fun for bedtime reading. Our mom used to read Disney Winnie the Pooh to us so that we would have sweet dreams.♥
@Natalie – Please see some details in this article from Michelle Harker: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/10/details-on-duffy-the-disney-bear-t-shirt-for-october-14-at-disney-california-adventure-park/
@Bridget – Agreed! I read this article to my son last night and he was excited to have this book in his reading rotation. 🙂
When will the Duffy event in DCA be held? I want to plan what day to go.
I love Duffy! I can’t wait to buy this for my son!! It will make a great Christmas gift!
Pretty cool.
This storybook is a good idea, as it will probably help spread the word about who Duffy is.
I can’t speak for Florida, but in California a lot of the park guests just aren’t too familiar with him, so having a storybook available is a good idea so his story can be told properly.
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