As a kid, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland felt like pure magic to me. It was a bright, bizarre world where logic twisted itself into knots, animals carried on conversations, and tumbling down a rabbit hole seemed like the greatest adventure a kid could imagine. I read it with that wide-eyed innocence that only childhood allows. Later, in college, that innocence took a bit of a hit when professors began pulling the book apart layer by layer. Suddenly, the story was filled with symbolism, satire, Victorian social commentary, and psychological interpretations I had never considered. What once seemed like playful nonsense revealed deeper meanings and cultural critiques. It was fascinating to see how much was hiding beneath the surface, but a small part of me still longed for the simple wonder I felt the first time I followed Alice into that surreal and unpredictable world.
That sense of nostalgia is exactly why Down the Rabbit Hole: Collecting Alice in Wonderland by Matt Crandall grabbed my attention. The book explores the enormous universe of merchandise and promotional material inspired by The Walt Disney Company’s animated classic Alice in Wonderland, turning a beloved story into a sprawling pop culture archive. Featuring a foreword by Brian Sibley and striking cover art by Kevin Kidney, the volume is packed with more than 3,000 images documenting decades of Alice-themed collectibles. Toys, posters, books, advertising pieces, rare promotional items, and all sorts of curious memorabilia are showcased throughout, revealing just how deeply Alice has embedded herself into popular culture.
The book is being released in June 2026 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Disney’s film, and it feels like the ultimate collector’s showcase. When you flip through the pages, it will feel a bit like falling down the rabbit hole all over again, except this time the wonder comes from seeing how a single imaginative story grew into a vast and colorful universe of art, nostalgia, and collectibles. For anyone who grew up loving that strange little girl and her even stranger adventures, this book promises a wonderfully surreal walk through memory lane.