Auteur: Jackson Kathy Merlock Jackson

The relationship between humans and animals has always been strong, symbiotic and complicated. Animals, real and fictional, have been a mainstay in the arts and entertainment, figuring prominently in …

Walt Disney, best known as a filmmaker, had perhaps a greater skill as a reader. While many would have regarded Felix Salten’s Bambi and Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio as too somber for family-oriented fi …

During its 33-season run, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968-2001) left an indelible mark on millions of children and their caregivers. Perhaps no series in the history of children’s television has do …

The experience of growing up in the U.S. is shaped by many forces. Relationships with parents and teachers are deeply personal and definitive. Social and economic contexts are broader and harder to q …

Memorable children’s narratives immerse readers in imaginary worlds that bring them into the story. Some of these places have been constructed in the real world–like Pinocchio’s Tuscany or Anne of G …

One of the most influential thrillers in media history, Jaws first surfaced as a best-selling novel by first-time novelist Peter Benchley in 1974, followed by the 1975 feature film directed by Steven …

This work demonstrates that not everything that Disney touched turned to gold. In its first 100 years, the company had major successes that transformed filmmaking and culture, but it also had its sha …