The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Having absolutely adored the animated short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which won an Academy Award in 2012, I have been eager to get my hands on this picture-book companion/retelling! I was not disappointed, as the book really delivers just as beautifully as the film, presenting a tale that would have any bibliophile swooning - being spirited away by bookish magic to an enchanted library, where one spends one's days reading, caring for books, and writing - and multimedia artwork that engage the visual senses and keep them entertained and engrossed as well. Really, this is what picture-books are meant to do - to engage the reader on multiple levels, with well integrated text and image - isn't it?

Dream-like, but show more utterly convincing, full of both pathos and humor - I loved the scene in which the books insist upon disorganizing themselves: the tragedies drawing near to the comedies, in order to gain comfort; the encyclopedias mixing with the comic books and fiction, having grown weary of facts - The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is the type of books that gives more, the more you sit with it. Interpreted in so many different ways - as a fantastic narrative, as a metaphor for the book-lover's life, as a story about leaving something behind for the next person, and adding to the sum of our knowledge - it can also just be enjoyed! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! The more I think about it, the more I am forced to conclude that four stars just isn't enough - this is definitely one of those rare five-star gems. I suspect I am going to have to track down a copy for myself... now if only the film were available for purchase as well! Perhaps with the book? (publishers, are you listening...?) show less

The fantastic cover is what inspired me to pick up this delightful book. Morris Lessmore loves stories and books and is even writing his own life as one. But one day, a hurricane destroys his town and his book. After that he wanders, directionless, until a flying lady sends him her favourite book which leads him to the books 'nesting' house. Morris can hear the stories whispering to each other in the house books. This is just the beginning of him spending years with the stories, caring for them and sharing them with the community, all the time adding to his own story. Many years later, when he is stooped and crinkly, the books take care of him. When he is finished his own book, it is time for him to move on and fly away, his story show more preserved to tell itself to others.

This book is utterly delightful. The illustrations are fantastic and tell the story beautifully. The endpapers are sumptuous, the size and feel of the book is perfect. You can tell that a lot of thought and love has gone into this book. show less

Morris Lessmore loved words.
He loved stories.
He loved books.
But every story has its upsets.
Everything in Morris Lessmore’s life, including his own story, is scattered to the winds.
But the power of story will save the day.
Stunningly brought to life by William Joyce, one of the preeminent creators in children’s literature, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a modern masterpiece, showing that in today’s world of traditional books, eBooks, and apps, it’s story that we truly celebrate—and this story, no matter how you tell it, begs to be read again and again.

Not too long ago I watched a beautiful little animated short film entitled The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. There is no dialogue and yet it (excuse the phrase) spoke to me on a very personal level. Imagine my delight when I discovered that it was created by the same man that created that other magical movie Meet the Robinsons! Yes, William Joyce has stolen my heart once again with a tale that is both heartbreaking and hopeful all at once. Of course, I knew that it was more than likely based off one of his books and I was right. Much like Meet the Robinsons which I reviewed not too long ago, Joyce wrote a beautifully illustrated picture book called The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore which is about exactly show more what the title implies. This is the story of a man who loves books and indeed is trying to write one of his own when a crazy storm comes along and upends not only his whole life but the buildings of his entire town. In a brilliant move of cinematography, after the storm everything is in black and white to depict the bleakness of his situation. But then he sees something which completely changes his outlook...I don't want to spoil this bit. This is about the power of the written word and the transformative power that books hold over the imagination. It is a love letter to literature. It's charming and extraordinarily moving. I admit to crying over the film AND the book. I urge you to take a few minutes and enjoy them both because they really are worth your time.10/10 show less

This book has gone up in my estimation since I first flipped idly through it a couple of years ago--I've always liked books, of course, but at that point I was a social fellow who thought we get a bit too precious about wanting our toddlers to love the written word as opposed to blocks or mud, and now the worm has turned somewhat and I can wholeheartedly support the valorization of the solitary, happy life (from the perspective of someone who sometimes feels like he's staring down the contrasting barrel of the lonely, unhappy life). This book wants the world to be peaceful and pretty--what is more blameless than that?

Mr. Morris Lessmore is a man whose love for books show on each page.In the beginning of the story we see Morris Lessmore sitting on his porch writing in his journal, he is colorful and content. The story began to take a negative turn as we notice the sky turns black and grey and a storm blows Morris and all of his possessions away. For a while, each page is dark and gloomy and we notice Morris beginning to feel a sense of despair as he is lost and confused on where to go next. Soon after, Morris came to a lady drifting in the sky holding onto bright and beautiful books tied to a string. A special book arrived at Morris's side and lead him to a building filled with books. The room is bright and the books are colorful, and Morris's color show more began to turn from a dull grey back into his old colorful self as we see him in the beginning of the story. Throughout the book there were pictures of actual books with legs symbolizing the livelihood Morris felt about each book he read. This illustration helps us understand that in Morris's eyes each book he came in contact with became alive and became a part of him. As Morris grew older, he then realized his journey with the book's has come to an end and it's someone else's turn to experience the stories. The story ends with Morris flying away with the books on a string, and he is back to his young self again. On the last page, we see a young girl sitting on the edge of the steps reading a special book- the book of Morris Lessmore's journey. I loved this book not only because of the story it tells, but because on each page the drawing itself tells it's own story. If i were to look at only the illustration, i would still get a good sense of what the book is about. show less

I have to admit to a bias before I give my review of this book. I absolutely love books. I read books. I collect books. I decorate with books. I blog about books. I review books. I tweet about books. I talk animatedly about books. And....I'm a librarian. So, naturally, I related to the message of this book which was to enjoy your books but not to the point of missing out on life. In fact, sharing books is more fun than collecting books. I'd rather lend my books than have them gather dust. Mr. Morris Lessmore is a wonderful character to whom I, and any other avid reader, can relate. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. When Mr. Lessmore flies away with his books, I am inspired. If I were still a Children's Librarian, I would have show more read this book in storytime. A lot. Would I have liked it as much if it was, say, The Fantastic Flying Spoons of Mr. Morris Lessmore? Nope. I hate cooking. But I love reading, and I love books that inspire reading. Especially, in such a beautiful and imaginative way. show less