Living With A Legend is the non-fiction musings of Leslie E. Stern growing up in a multi-ethnic home amidst the genius of Iwao Takamoto, designer of Scooby-Doo and 85% of the Hanna-Barbera characters we all know and love.
Multi-Award-Winning non-fiction book LIVING WITH A LEGEND by Leslie E. Stern offers touching personal stories about her acclaimed step-father, Iwao Takamoto, who designed such animation masterpieces as Scooby-Doo, Astro, Mutley, Charlotte’s Web, and worked on classic films such as Lady and the Tramp and Cinderella.
Leslie’s musings of growing up in a multi-ethnic home amidst cartoon genius tells the story of her step-father’s influence on her, stories of her youth, and Iwao’s influence on others. It includes never-before-seen personal drawings done by Iwao for Leslie, drawings done by other famous animators for Iwao, as well as rarely-seen photographs and drawings. A must read for any cartoon lover and a pleasure to read for anyone with a heart.
This new color, coffee table book is written with love and humor and features never-before-seen drawings by Iwao Takamoto for his family and friends, as well as by other animation legends. These are a delight to behold for anyone who is a fan of Scooby-Doo, The Pink Panther, The Flintstones, and The Jetsons.
Readers will be fascinated by the personal stories about the creative genius behind such classics as Lady and the Tramp, Charlotte’s Web, and 85% of the Hanna-Barbera cartoons they know and love.
Professional Reviews
Leonard Maltin, movie reviewer, movie historian, and author
“Living With A Legend is a loving, personal tribute to one of the top talents in the history of animation."
Jerry Beck, Animation Historian
"Iwao Takamoto’s 2009 autobiography (written with Michael Mallory) was an excellent account of the animator’s career. Now his step-daughter, Leslie E. Stern, has written another account, Living With A Legend, from her point of view and it's a nice memoir of a life with Iwao behind the scenes. Her publisher sent me an advance copy and I can attest that it is a well done tribute. For anyone, everyone, who grew up with Hanna-Barbera, this is a treat."
Sander Schwartz, President of Kids & Family Entertainment at FremantleMedia Enterprises and past President of Warner Bros. Animation
In this book, Leslie Stern has documented a life of an inspiring man, husband, and stepfather. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing Iwao are all the better for it. By reading Leslie's book I'm inspired again by the story of a truly unique American whose well-lived life will hearten us all."
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