Thumper and the Seven Dwarfs "Better Little Book", Whitman No. 1409

In 1943, the Carl Buettner-illustrated story, Thumper and the Seven Dwarfs, was issued as a Dell Four Color Comic. The following year in 1944, it was re-bound and sold in the Better Little Book series (no. 1409).

The color images from the comic book were not carried over to the Better Little Book. Instead, the pages are illustrated in black ink only. This volume is part of the All Pictures Comics series and was produced in Racine, Wisconsin by Whitman Publishing Company.

The comic is the first to mix Bambi characters with those from other Disney films. The story follows Thumper, who falls down a hole and discovers Dopey digging away in the mine.

Doc invites the rabbit to come back to the cottage where they build him his own bed.

The next day, after the Dwarfs have gone off to work again, Thumper stumbles across the wishing well.

The wild adventure begins that evening with a visit by the Giant from The Brave Little Tailor.

A fun little tale, it holds up well after all these years.

The leaves are not numbered, but the book looks to be over 175 pages in length. Measures 3.75" x 4.5".

Additional cover image via Heritage Auctions.

Special thanks to Major Pepperidge of Gorillas Don't Blog for his recent generous donation of this book to the Filmic Light Collection.

Thumper Meets the Seven Dwarfs Comic

In this 1943 Dell Publishing Four Color Comic No. 19, Bambi's Thumper joins Snow White's Seven Dwarfs in a wild adventure where they encounter, among other things, the Giant from The Brave Little Tailor. 68 pages.

Front Cover, 1943 Dell Four Color Comic #19

It was the first time Bambi characters were used in crossover stories with other Disney characters. Illustration was by Carl Buettner. The comic was reprinted in 1958 by Dell: Silly Symphonies #8.

And then again in 1968 by Gold Key: Walt Disney Comics Digest in two parts #24 and #25.

1968 Covers: Walt Disney Comics Digests #24 and #25.

Sample pages:

The rear cover from the 1943 Dell Publishing Four Color issue.

Illustrations and text copyright Disney. Posted here for historical documentation purposes only.
Image scan courtesy of the Bob Fergusson Collection.