Book Reviews: 'Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Making of the Classic Film' and 'Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: An Art in Its Making'

Disney's publishing division has timed these two tributes to the studio's first animated feature to coincide with the film's video release. Unfortunately, the not-so-fair Classic Film volume reads more like an extended article than a book, and many of its reproductions appear to come from grainy, dim film frames duplicated before the movie was digitally restored. But An Art in Its Making, which includes a more compelling, rigorous account of the film's creation as well as technical chapters on how to curate original animation art (message: You will go buy collectors' cels), makes inspirational sketches and finished frames alike look brand-new. Big caveat: Still images don't really capture the movie's achievements in music and pacing. So go rent the video. Classic: B- Art: B+