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What Is Once Upon a Source?
Every Disney animated film you love started as someone else’s story first — a fairy tale collected by two German brothers, a children’s book written in a Highland cottage, a myth passed down for a thousand years before it ever reached a movie screen.
Once Upon a Source is a 24-chapter deep dive into those original stories — the darker, stranger, more surprising versions that came before the songs and the happy endings. Each chapter pairs one Disney film with the book, poem, or legend that inspired it, and shows you exactly what changed along the way.
Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan, a teacher looking for a new way into literary analysis, or simply someone who wants “the real story,” this project was built for you. Start with a free chapter and see where the story really began.
Help Me Finish the Chapters
I’m looking for Disney fans to tell me what these stories have meant to them—and the best of what comes in goes into the book.
From the Original Project
Stories Worth Opening
Once Upon a Source was built around a richly illustrated world of carved wood, old books, research, teaching, and the surprising stories behind familiar films. The original artwork is part of that identity — so it belongs front and center.
Three Ways to Dive In
The Book
24 chapters. 25 original stories. The stories Disney never told you.
The Passport
95 real-world locations from the source stories. Your literary travel guide.
For Educators
A complete 24-week curriculum for grades 6-8. Common Core aligned.
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EVERY BOOK BEHIND EVERY DISNEY MOVIE: THE COMPLETE READING LIST
Read the Post →: EVERY BOOK BEHIND EVERY DISNEY MOVIE: THE COMPLETE READING LISTOnce Upon a Source · Behind the Writing · All 24 Chapters Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Twenty-four Disney films. Twenty-five original books,…
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Teach Literary Analysis
Read the Post →: Teach Literary AnalysisThe films your students already love are the easiest on-ramp into theme, character, and textual comparison.
Community
What Readers Are Saying
“My first memory was of Mary Poppins, Bert, and the children hopping into the chalk art. I was 6 years old and first watched the movie with my parents. I didn’t know the full story until I saw the movie Saving Mr. Banks. It was quite an eye opener”
— Chris Huffnus
Mary Poppins: The movie opens your imagination to the possibilities of anything. You never know where your day will lead, so always expect the unexpected. Roll with the punches and make the best out of a bad situation. Also remember to laugh on the ceiling, as it will make you feel much better.
— Christopher L. M. Cox II
The Lion King:
This story is a childhood memory I will pass on to my children, friends and family. The special gift a teacher gave to a struggling student. Childhood adventures with my best friend and cousin as we reenacted scenes on a backyard hill full of tall grass and large boulders that was our pride lands.
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Gloria Nickels