The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

Get "lost" in this book,
along with
Mr. Morris Lessmore

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore 
By William Joyce

Post by Sarah Landis:

All of his joys and sorrows,

all that he knew

and everything that he hoped for. 

Now this is a book that makes you think.  This touching story makes me think about the power of a book: the power to change someone's life, the power to "aliven" someone who is lonely, the power to fill someone's heart.  I love how the author uses figurative language to help me think differently about a book as a real person. At one point, near Mr. Lessmore's final days, the books serve as friends to him, reading aloud and filling his time with companionship.   The books even "whisper an invitation to adventure."

One other thing that stood out to me was the cycle of Morris's life.  He is invested in reading throughout his entire life, and seems to end his life in "book heaven."  I love how the story "ends" with the "beginning" of the girl's book life.  Clever.  Books really are forever, a true legacy that lives on even after the author is gone.

I cannot think of a book where the illustrations have enhanced the text and meaning of the book in the same way as they do in this book.  Whimsical and thought-provoking, the pictures even further advance my understanding of the characters and message in the book.  The use of color is vital to the story.

William Joyce has crafted a story that makes me think deeply about the authors of books.  How often does a book represent the true thoughts and feelings of an author? Joyce has created a character who is both a reader and a writer.  Morris gets lost in books, but he also spends days and years writing and writing and writing.  While reading, he is living.  And while living, he is writing.

Is there one book that tells our life story, or multiple stories to represent ourselves at different points in life?  Morris even says, "everyone's story matters." This is so true. And should I be writing a book to capture my very own heart and soul, to leave behind as a legacy once I am gone?  I guess I should be writing and telling my story, I think mine does matter.

Joyce's story is so magical that it has been made into an award-winning animated short film:

Why this book? Out of so many picture books and stories that producers have access to, I can imagine Mr. Morris Lessmore and his journey were chosen because of the whimsical nature.  I can see how and why the 84th Academy Awards chose this memorable experience.  Accepting their award: 

Use of color: I already loved the illustrations, but now the illustrations come to (animated) life.  The black and white images, mixed with color images, maintained their impact.  

Use of sound: There were no words or spoken dialogue in the film, just powerful music.  

Post by Kelly Hilton:

A book can take you places where you have never been. A book can cheer you up when you are feeling down. A book can be your Friday night date. A book can open your eyes to a world that you have never seen or could even imagine. William Joyce takes a journey with books through the life of Mr. Morris Lessmore.

Morris loved books. He loved the joys and he loved the sorrows. He wrote about his life everyday until the day when his letters were all mixed up. Joyce uses personification to help us realize the life of a book when Morris lives in a special library. He actually gets "lost" in the pages and letters in the book and repairs the books like a doctor would repair or care for a patient. 

The pictures of this book bring the pages of this story to life as they use color and black and white to visually demonstrate the life of a story. The images transform as the story evolves. 

I love this book because it reminds me that everyone has a story and that no one will know your story unless you share it through writing.