Beyond the Tiara Book Review

Calling all Disney Princess fans! There is a new book about to hit shelves and it will seriously blow your mind. Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara is a deep dive into the world of the phenomenon that is the Disney Princess franchise; from humble beginnings to basically taking over the world! Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara is thorough in its research but still maintains its whimsy making this book such a fun read and it will surely leave even the biggest Disney Princess fan saying, "what? I didn't know that!"

Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara, free for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara | Book Review

Picture it. The year is 1937 and Walt Disney is about to premiere Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs not knowing that his first princess would still have a prominent role in merchandise sales 85 years later.

85 YEARS! Snow White is the first Disney Princess but the franchise wouldn't take shape until 2001.

Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara fittingly starts at the beginning, with Snow White and makes its way through the Queen(s) of Arendelle, each Princess getting 2 or 3 pages of back story with early imagery and sketches, photos of the inspiration behind the look for the princesses and a peek at those who are behind their now, iconic voices. 

This (large) coffee table-like book is broken down into eight chapters and begins with a foreword written by none other than the voice of Ariel herself, Jodi Benson.

"It's unbelievable that an animated feature film can touch people/s lives like that and actually change them. I'm so honored to be a little piece of their stories" - Jodi Benson

Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara leaves no stone unturned. Chapter 2 delves into the Disney spin-off television series like "The Little Mermaid" from the 90's and "Tangled" in the 2010s, it talks of the live-action movie remakes and the many books that have delved into back stories and alternate Disney Princess universes.

Chapter 3 is a treasure trove of Disney Princess collectibles and artifacts. Seeing how much merchandise the Disney Princess franchise (even before it was an official franchise) created is mind boggling. Ceramic figures, McDonalds toys, dolls, video games, plush toys and more (oh so much) more.

Related: A Sleeping Beauty Themed Wedding

Chapter 4 is all about Disney Princess fashion! The gowns the Princesses wear are recognizable in any form but do you know where the artists and illustrators got their inspiration from for each gown's design? Next time you watch Roman Holiday see if you can't spot some similarities between Audrey Hepburn's dress and Aurora's! This chapter covers everything from the Princesses taking queues from celebrities to celebrities paying homage to the Princesses.

"The magic of a Disney Princess gown is perfect for an important event, whether it's a celebrity attending the Oscars or a Disney fan walking down the aisle at their wedding. For many, it''s the realization of a dream>" - Emily Zemler, Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara.

Chapter 5 talks of the music from the Disney Princess films, some of which are songs that are 80+ years old that are still sung today. This chapter talks of the legendary composers and gives a glimpse to the stories that were given the Broadway treatment.

Chapter 6 is about the Disney Princesses presence at the Parks and other Disney-owned properties. Given their prominence at places like Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California I would have expected this section to be larger than 14 pages. This chapter covers a lot of ground, touching on the Parks castles, character meet and greets and rides devoted to Disney Princesses. Speaking of rides, Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara makes sure to  mention the upcoming Princess and the Frog re-theme of Splash Mountain, keep in mind this book did go to print ahead of the recent D23Expo, so the  rendering and storyline initially shared for the rework (and pictured in Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara) has been updated.

Related: Disney Princess Inspired Dresses for Your Little Princess

Chapter 7 showcases real people and their love for Disney Princesses shining light on Cosplay and fandoms and the aforementioned, D23 Expo.

We close out Disney Princess; Beyond the Tiara with the 8th chapter on the Girl Power movement of Disney Princesses. Talking about Disney's "Dream Big" campaign and all of the ways Disney Princesses have inspired individuals around the world.

Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara is a love letter and a history book. Those who love Disney Princesses will find this book very enjoyable and those who have a love for pop culture or the behind the scenes of it all may also want to have this book on their shelf.

​The holidays aren't too far away, think about who on your shopping list would be interested in this book and grab a copy for them when Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara hits shelves September 20th.

Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara | Book Synopsis

Everyone knows the Disney Princess characters, but how did they become the cultural icons we know today? From the Princesses Walt Disney and his artists brought to the screen in the 20th century, such as Snow White and Aurora, to the recent additions such as Moana, Tiana and Rapunzel, each Disney Princess character’s influence has expanded beyond their original film. Each of their unique, individual stories create a fabric with the power to inspire our imaginations, spark social conversations, and empower us.


About the author:
Emily Zemler is a freelance writer and journalist based in London. She is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, among other prestigious outlets. Emily is the co-author of A Sick Life, with TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and the author of The Art and Making of Aladdin.