The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to Movies    by Jason Surrell Order:  USA  Can Disney, 2009 (2009) Softcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Bob Walch If you or someone you know is totally entranced by the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland you want to consider getting the updated edition of The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to Movies by Jason Surrell. This lavishly illustrated paperback tells the story of how the Mansion's 999 'grim grinning ghosts' moved from sketches to reality. You'll follow the process from early concept drawings through adaptations and changes as the imagineers worked their magic to create the spooky interior of the house with all its creepy inhabitants. Since there is a version of this popular attraction in four of Disney's theme parks, you'll also see how new enhancements and attractions have been added to the mansion. Curious about how the Mysterious Endless Staircase was created or the secret behind the airborne spirits that float within the house? If so, you'll want to consult this reference. In the second section of the book you'll be given a virtual tour of the attraction which, using the original mansion version as the home base, will show how additions or improvements have been made at subsequent versions of the house. The final section switches the focus to the attraction's translation into a motion picture with examples of the costumes, special effects, sets and information on the film's stars including Eddie Murphy. With Halloween just weeks away, here's a special treat you can give yourself or someone you know who is an aficionado of special effects and all things spooky and sinister. If you are going to study this type of eerie material, you might as well learn from the best practitioners of the art. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews