The book is set in the world of Jake and the Never Land Pirates and follows Mama Hook as she reminisces about her own great adventures sailing the Never Sea and the stories she told Captain Hook when he was a young boy.

“I have such a wonderful time playing Mama Hook on ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates,’” said Osbourne. “To be able to take that role to the book world and share Mama Hook’s stories with families around the world is an honor. I hope kids enjoy reading Mama Hook’s pirate tales and continue to fall in love with her, just as I have.”

The book is being published by Disney Worldwide Publishing and will be available in the fall. It comes with an audio CD that features original narration by Osbourne and will also be available as an e-book.

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Working in conjunction with poet and youth arts advocate Azure Antoinette, ABC Family is asking millennials to submit original videos and written works that illustrates their sense of self-identity.

ABC Family is working to strengthen its relationship with the millennial audience by providing this unique outlet where they can express themselves – sharing their beliefs, dreams, and goals. People can vote for their favorite story by “liking” it on abcfamily.com. The top two winners will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize.

Azure Antoinette is often referred to as “the Maya Angelou of the Millennial generation” and is the creator of STUDIO: alchemy, an arts-in-education organization that operates in New York, Iowa, and Los Angeles. She has also been commissioned to work for Maria Shriver, Beats by Dr. Dre, and Girl Scouts of America.

All entries must be original works and entrants must be a legal resident, currently reside within the 50 states or District of Columbia, and be between the ages of 14-22. The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 12, and voting closes on Friday, July 19. Official rules can be found at youshouldknow.abcfamily.com/. On the same site, participants can also find sample videos of materials written by real millennials and performed by ABC Family stars including Keegan Allen, Chelsea Kane, and Katie Leclerc.

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Disney Fine Artist Greg McCullough will have an artist showcase at Uptown Jewelers at the Magic Kingdom June 3-6 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. each day. Disney Design Group Artist Natalie Kennedy will be at Disney’s Pin Traders in the Downtown Disney Marketplace on June 7 from 5-7 p.m. where she will be signing the latest pin and Vinylmation release from the 2013 series.

Internationally-known artist Larry Dotson is set to showcase a few of his newest releases at the Art of Disney in the Downtown Disney Marketplace from June 13-16. Larry is also scheduled to be at Uptown Jewelers in the Magic Kingdom on June 27-30.

Vinylmation fans should stop by D Street at Downtown Disney West Side on June 14 to meet Disney Design Group artists Ron Cohee who is scheduled to appear at a signing of the new Monsters University Series 1 Vinylmation from 5-7 p.m. Guests can also celebrate Father’s Day weekend at Cars Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney Westside where Chip Foose, owner of Foose Design and star of Overhaulin’ will be on hand for a special signing event June 15 and 16.

Fans of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast should stop by D Street in Downtown Disney Westside on June 21 to see the new Beauty and the Beast Vinylmation releases designed by Maria Clapsis and Caley Hicks. Vinylmations includes Belle, Beast, Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth, Maurice, Gaston, and more. A special artist signing is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on release day.

June 22 marks the release of the Hollywood & Dine limited edition Ink & Paint cel featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse enjoying a star-filled evening at the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios while being served by a hand-painted Goofy. This cel is available in a variety of formats and Disney is taking pre-orders through June 21. Several Ink & Paint artists will be attending a special signing on June 22 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. at Animation Gallery in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

For complete details on all the merchandise events at the Walt Disney World Resort visit http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/events/venue/walt-disney-world-resort/.

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At the Magic Kingdom, guests can stop by Gaston’s Tavern in the New Fanstasyland and pick up a chocolate Monsters University cupcake. The Ice Cream Parlor and the Plaza Restaurant on Main Street U.S.A. will be serving an “Eye Scream Sundae” made with either strawberry or mint chocolate chip ice cream. And, the Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland is serving Randall’s Suds and Mike’s Punch.

Over in Disneyland, guests can dine on steak and eggs for breakfast at the Carnation Café or they can choose breakfast pizza at Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port. The Blue Bayou is serving roasted bourbon shrimp for those looking to fuel up later in the day.

Guests can also find a Monster Nacho Dog at Award Weiners in Disney California Adventure and a Monstrous Open-Face Turkey Sandwich at Flo’s V-8 Café

Be sure to stop by and visit our friends at the Disney Food Blog for more details on the “monstrous” specialty foods available during the all-nighter!

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The gowns are designed and created in collaboration with Ashdon Inc., a leader in the special occasions fashion industry. Each gown combines classical styling with elements of fantasy and magic. The debut line features 21 gowns, with two styles for each Disney Princess and a new gown, “la Corona de la Princesa” will be added to the line each year.

A Quinceañera is a coming of age celebration for Latinas that signifies her journey from childhood to womanhood. The celebration, which is similar to a “Sweet 16”, often includes a religious ceremony followed by a reception – and the gown is an integral and festive part of the celebration.

“The Latino community has a strong affinity for Disney, and the Disney Royal Ball Quinceañera collection offers another avenue to make the Quinceañera celebration even more unique and meaningful for Latina teens and their families,” said Gilberto Martinez Kladt, vice president of licensing for Disney Princess. “Disney is thrilled to provide young Latinas with the opportunity to celebrate the elegance, grace and poise of their favorite Disney Princess characters on such a special and momentous day.”

The dresses come in a variety of colors and feature accents of crystal, embroidery, and beadwork and are inspired by the Disney Princess characters Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pochontas, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Tiana. The dresses are available in sizes 0-20 with MSRPs ranging from $530-$999. For more information on the dresses, please visit wwwQuinceRoyalBall.com.

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A one hour pilot episode of a new animated feature, Star Wars Rebels, is in production at Lucasfilm and is set to premiere on the Disney Channel in the fall of 2014. The show is then set to move to Disney XD as on ongoing series.

While there is no official word on who might make an appearance in the series, iconic characters such as Darth Vader, Princess Leia, or even Han Solo could show up as the series takes place during the time when the Empire is tightening its grip on the galaxy and the rebellion against the Empire is starting.

The series boasts three executive producers – screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X:Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes), Dave Filoni who was supervising director of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Greg Weisman who brings animation experience from Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man, and Gargoyles. Kinberg is set to write the premiere episode of Star Wars Rebels.

“I couldn’t be more excited to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “I think Star Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars.”

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The show includes a journey to the magical world of Enchancia where Sofia, her step-siblings Amber and James, and their whole kingdom are preparing for the friendship festival. Cinderella visits the castle to help Sofia on her mission to find the perfect gift to deliver to her royal subjects during the celebration.

Next, the audience visits Never Land where Jake and his Yo Ho pirate friends Izzy and Cubby are in a race against time to locate a mysterious treasure-filled volcano. The friends battle Captain Hook during their adventure, and Peter Pan makes a special appearance. Jake and his friends fly above the stage during their journey with the help of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust.

The show is produced by Alana Feld and Kenneth Feld, and directed by David Killinger. The director/choreographer is Fred Tallaksen, the writer is Bradley Zweig, with costume design by Mirena Rada, scenic design by Rick Papineau, and lighting design by Sam Doty.

This 90-city national tour starts in July and the world premier happens in Hollywood on September 27. Tickets for all 2013 engagements go on sale May 28. For more information and to purchase tickets visit disneyjuniorlive.com.

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Some of the events planned at the Magic Kingdom include Mike and Sulley – the stars of Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University – joining in the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party. Everyone’s favorite monsters will also be serving as Grand Marshals during a pre-parade that’s going to include a cheer squad and a marching band playing the MU Fight Song. The pre-parade will happen before the daily shows of the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade.

From 4-9 p.m. a Monster Mania DJ Dance Party is planned at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, followed by a “Monsters University Movie Night” from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. where guests will have a chance to catch back-to-back screenings of the original Monsters, Inc. Guests can continue to dance all night long at Disney’s Up All Night Dance Party at Cinderella’s Castle from 2-5:45 a.m.

If you’re heading to the Disneyland Resort for the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter, there’s going to be a Hollywood Viewing Party of Monsters, Inc. inside Muppets Theater at Disney California Adventure. Inside Hollywood Land guests can be part of a Mad T Party. Both of these events start at 9 p.m. local time and continue throughout the night.

Over at Disneyland there’s going to be a Disney Character Pajama Party starting after midnight in Mickey’s Toontown, complete with classic cartoon, hot chocolate, milk, and cookies. In Tomorrowland, some of the Star Wars characters will host a meet and greet, in addition to the TLT “Monstrous” Dance Club at the Tomorrowland Terrace.

Guests looking to commemorate their magical All-Nighter can purchase a Sulley-inspired ear hat or commemorative 24 Hours “It’s Eye-Mazing” T-shirt at the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park and at Elias & Co. in Disney California Adventure.

During the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter select attractions, entertainment, and services will be available.

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We’re less than three months away now from the D23 Expo, and information is starting to come in about all the exciting things in store. Recently, D23 announced some of the items that will be on display at the Expo’s Treasures of the Walt Disney Archive exhibit, which will feature a collection of items from Mary Poppins.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins this year, the Archives exhibit at the Expo will feature a wide variety of items from the iconic live-action film. Expo attendees will be able to view such items as costumes from the film, Bert and Mary’s carousel horses, the snow globe used in the “Feed the Birds” sequence, Mary’s carpet bag, concept art, and more. The Expo’s recurring Fan Art exhibit will feature art from Mary Poppins as well.

However, the Archives exhibit will also include a wide variety of items from the Walt Disney Archives’ many different collections, including a variety of costumes from ABC’s Once Upon a Time. To celebrate the success of Disney’s Oz: The Great and Powerful, the exhibit will also have a number of items on display that celebrate Disney’s history with L. Frank Baum’s Oz books. Items on display will include props and costumes from Return to Oz and Oz: The Great and Powerful; concept art from unrealized attractions and Disney Studio productions; and the patchwork dress costume from the “Rainbow Road to Oz” segment on the 1957 special The Fourth Anniversary Show.

The 2013 D23 Expo will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 9-11. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit D23.com.

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Adventurers Outpost, located on Discovery Island, will serve as Mickey and Minnie’s new home base at Animal Kingdom, replacing their old home at Camp Minnie-Mickey. The new location will feature mementos and photographs from the famous couple’s expeditions around the world, including photographs from such varied destinations as Nepal and the savannas of Africa.

Guests will be able to meet Mickey and Minnie in the new space throughout the day. While the duo has moved out of Camp Minnie-Mickey, meet and greets with other Disney characters will still be taking place in that location as well.

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