Reading 'Part of My World' was like getting a backstage pass to Disney magic. Benson’s anecdotes about recording 'The Little Mermaid' are gold—like how she had to act out scenes physically in the studio to capture Ariel’s energy, or the time she accidentally scared a janitor while belting 'Part of Your World' at midnight. The book shines when she ties Ariel’s journey to her own: both stepping into the unknown, whether it’s a human world or Hollywood. Her writing’s so personal, you can almost hear her voice narrating it. A sweet, insightful read for anyone who’s ever hummed 'Under the Sea.'
I picked up 'Part of My World' expecting a lighthearted memoir about Jodi Benson's iconic role as Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid,' but it turned out to be so much deeper. The book isn’t just about her voice acting career—it’s a heartfelt journey through her faith, personal struggles, and the unexpected challenges of bringing a beloved Disney character to life. She talks about the pressure of embodying Ariel’s innocence and curiosity while navigating Hollywood’s demands, and how the role shaped her identity beyond the recording booth. It’s surprisingly raw at times, especially when she opens up about balancing fame with family life and her Christian values.
What stuck with me was how she reflects on Ariel’s legacy. Benson doesn’t just see her as a cartoon princess; she discusses the character’s cultural impact, from inspiring young girls to breaking Disney’s traditional mold. There’s a beautiful section where she describes meeting fans who credit Ariel with giving them confidence—something she never anticipated. The book also dives into behind-the-scenes tidbits, like how she almost turned down the role and the emotional weight of singing 'Part of Your World.' It’s a must-read for Disney fans but also for anyone who loves stories about resilience and finding purpose in unexpected places.
Jodi Benson’s 'Part of My World' hit me right in the nostalgia! As someone who grew up rewinding 'The Little Mermaid' VHS until it wore out, hearing her recount the recording sessions felt like uncovering hidden treasure. She describes how her Broadway background clashed with Disney’s direction at first—they wanted Ariel’s voice to sound younger and more naïve, which led to some hilarious (and frustrating) takes. The book’s tone is warm and conversational, like she’s sharing secrets over coffee. I loved learning about the little things, like how she ad-libbed Ariel’s giggles or the time she had to re-record lines because her pregnancy cravings made her voice sound different.
But it’s not all fairy tales. Benson gets real about the industry’s ups and downs, like typecasting after Ariel and the struggle to maintain integrity in Hollywood. There’s a chapter where she talks about turning down roles that didn’t align with her values, which added a layer of respect for her I didn’t expect. The book balances humor and heart so well—you’ll tear up at her stories about fan letters and then laugh at her impression of working with the legendary Howard Ashman. Perfect for Disney adults who want more than just trivia.
2026-01-12 23:38:40
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BOOK 1 & 2
BOOK 1: A WHOLE NEW WORLD
ESSENCE
I would’ve died for them. My husband. My son. But when I was drowning, they didn’t even blink.
I gave them everything—my heart, my time, my life. And still, I wasn’t enough.
“Will you be my mommy?” my son asked his father’s mistress right in front of me.
“Don’t be so selfish, Essence,” my husband said. “You’re lucky anyone married you at all.”
They broke me.
But I didn’t stay broken.
I walked away with just a vow to build something for myself.
What I didn’t expect? Lucian Knight. The billionaire bachelor every woman wanted... on his knees, whispering, “Please marry me, Essence. I’ve waited for you my whole life.”
I left betrayal behind. But I never knew love could feel this good... or this sinfully sweet.
BOOK 2: ENEMIES TO SOULMATES
Daniel Knight lives for two things — running his empire and watching Sexy Red burn up the stage. The mysterious, red-haired dancer with a body made for sin is all he wants… and all he can’t have.
The last thing he expects? His mother shoving him into an arranged marriage with Kelly Thompson… the plain, boring, mole-faced “ugly duckling” he insulted without a second thought.
He hates her. She hates him more.
“Marry you? Not in this lifetime,” he sneers.
“Right back at you,” she fires back.
But when the wedding ring is on, Danny still can’t get Sexy Red out of his head... until one night, he rips off her disguise and realizes the woman he’s been craving is the wife he swore to make miserable.
Now, every touch feels like a lie.
And the man who swore to ruin her… can’t stop trying to claim her.
Leaving your world and coming to another all seems wrong and right.
Sophia had to leave Marazona to Earth to avoid death in the most cruel way.
Everything on Earth seemed weird to her and she seemed weird to Donald, the son of the woman that took her in.
But, let's see how Two Worlds are Connected.
Anya Moore is a pop sensation with lots of people who look up to her, though her passion is something else. Sadie Ozoa wants to chase her dreams and doesn’t want to take no for an answer, but it feels like she doesn’t have a choice. But unexpected decisions they made had created unfaithful circumstances that have brought two different individuals together. Next unthinkable move: run as far away from the situation that could have led to their wishes.
They don’t know how they ended up walking together and they don’t know why. But all they want to do is to escape from the environment they were surrounded in. Anya and Sadie thought they would be distant but with every step they took, they started to know so much about each other and what they have one thing in common: they hated how the world has become. They then thought what if they rebuild Earth where it is all ruled by them--and only both of them. The two then thought what if we start to make it a reality?
As they go on the journey to create their own world, Anya sees that Sadie is more than an outcast and Sadie sees that Anya is more than just a star--they are each other’s world.
But with the world that is against their odds, will they be able to show their truth?
In this first debut comes a coming-of-age story about realizing that in order to survive the world, you must choose whether to follow the rules or break them for the sake of doing something right.
I see Grandfather, and he knows I see him. The people surround me, their faces red with anger. Grandfather raises his hands, eventually quieting them.
"Toby... what have you done?"
The colony world of Horus was a blissful utopia... until a curious little boy made one mistake and sent the world into a downward spiral of self-destruction. The world's gods were revealed to be nothing more than computers... and those computers are now failing.
To pay for his mistake, Toby Spafford, now a man, must travel the deadly, ruined streets to find three missing keys that can activate a backup system created by his grandfather, Professor Jonathan Spafford. Dogging his every move are various factions that have grown to like the taste of power over the helpless citizens, and they'll do anything to stop him.
In his favor, he is determined, intelligent, bitterly stubborn, and resourceful. Unfortunately... so are his enemies.
"INTO YOUR WORLD 1," tells a story about a young girl who mysteriously entered into the world of a comic book which her younger sister loves to read.
Yassi is always annoyed every time she saw her younger sister giggling while reading out loud her favorite comic title, " Love Fantasy" She can't understand why her sister loves that book, especially the main character of the story which is a prince but turns into a scary beast once he couldn't control his emotion when he is angry.
Yassi tries to burn the comic book but for some unknown reason, the book didn't burn. It opens by itself, and then dazzling lights suddenly comes out from the book and cover her surrounding. When the dazzling light disappears, she realized that she's not in her world but instead, she's now inside the book that she hated the most. What will be the role she will play inside the comic world? Will she be the antagonist who hates the prince that turns into a beast or will she be the female protagonist who fell in love with the prince? If she's the female protagonist, then what will be the role of the real female protagonist in the story?
17-year-old Evelyn ran away from her past to a town in Italy to start a new life without any memory of her past. She finds herself an abode and a new job to have a career that she always dreamt about.
But little did she know that the past she was running away from is related to the present she finds herself in.
The main character in 'Part of My World' is Ariel, the curious and adventurous mermaid princess from Disney’s 'The Little Mermaid'. What I love about Ariel is how she embodies that restless, dreamy energy—always longing for something beyond her world. She’s not just a passive princess; she actively defies expectations, whether it’s collecting human treasures or risking everything for love. Her voice (literally, with those iconic songs!) and her stubborn optimism make her unforgettable.
I rewatched the movie recently, and it struck me how her arc isn’t just about romance—it’s about self-discovery. She’s willing to lose her voice, her family, even her tail, just to explore who she could be. That kind of bravery resonates even now, especially when I feel stuck in my own routines. Plus, her dynamic with Flounder and Sebastian adds so much warmth and humor—it’s hard not to root for her.