Walt Disney: A Mouse and a Dream

In the news: The story

Read a 145-word news story: He lost everything, so he drew a mouse

Walt Disney was born in the United States in 1901. He was not rich. As a boy he sold newspapers early in the morning. He liked to draw all the time, in school books and on paper at home. He started a small studio with his brother Roy. They made short cartoon films. Then in 1928 there was a big problem. Another company took his best character and many of his artists. Walt lost his work and his money. On the train home, he had an idea: a new character, a small cartoon mouse. The mouse could talk and sing. People loved it. Walt did not stop there. He made the first long cartoon film with colour and sound, and later he built a big theme park. He often said one thing: it all started with a mouse. He was not afraid to start again.

Vocabulary: Words to know

6 items

Discussion: Look at the picture

3 discussion questions

• What can you see in the picture? What is on the desk?
• Is it morning or night in the picture? How do you know?
• Do you like this room? Would you like to work here?

Discussion: You and drawing

3 discussion questions

• Do you draw? What do you draw?
• What cartoon did you watch when you were a child?
• Have you visited a theme park? Did you like it?

Discussion: Big questions, simple words

3 discussion questions

• Walt lost his job and his character. What can a person do after a big problem?
• Where do you get good ideas: in bed, in the shower, on a bus?
• Is it easy or difficult to start again? Why?