Book Review: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Morris Lessmore Website
Pages: 52
Ages: 4-8
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Alibris | Indiebound | Book Depository
Publishers Summary:

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.

Littlebug Gets Thoughtful: Mom, my favoritest part are the book balloons. I like the girl flying away with the books and I really like her dress with all the letters. I wish my books could fly away with me!

The book the guy carries with him looks like Turkeybird’s “Monkey Book“! I wonder if Turkey’s book will fly one day?

I think it’s really neat that the old man gives his “Monkey Book” to the little girl, but I don’t know why it always makes you cry mom. This book always makes me so happy and doesn’t make me cry at all cuz it’s so so neat that all the books have feat and fly around! It also makes me super happy that the little girl gets to be with all the books now that the old man is gone.

Will you read it again mom?

Mom’s Two Cents: Mr. Morris Lessmore lives for and loves books. His life is surrounded by words, pictures and pages upon pages of beautiful books. When a storm suddenly takes his world away and leaves his prized book blank he wanders in a colorless expanse searching for what has been lost. It’s only when he stumbles upon a sight he’s never before seen, a girl dangling from a set of flying books, that his world is renewed and amplified. Morris’ story is one filled with loss, recovery, hope, imagination and possibilities.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm is a book I was introduced to through it’s iPad app and then through the video that I first viewed at Tales of Whimsy. It’s no doubt that I loved the app, as did my children, but the video was what truly grabbed me and didn’t let go. During my first viewing I sat at my computer with tears streaming down my face. Tears of joy, because it was as if someone finally put into words/pictures what I’ve felt in my heart for years. It isn’t only the feelings about books, but those about my children, my life, my relationships, my hopes and dreams, and so much more. Now that the picture book has come out I find myself having those same feelings, but if it’s possible…they’re even stronger.

This is truly a book for book lovers. It’s one of those picture books I’d gently force those who claim to not enjoy picture books to read. It’s the entire story that comes to life, not just the printed words and illustrations, but William Joyce’s back story and the inspirations behind it. One of my greatest joys this year was discovering Joyce would be at BEA and then having the opportunity to meet him. He’s one of those people who not only loves books, but lives them much like the character in this book. Sadly he’s also had more than his share of tragedy and heartache, one in particular struck me quite hard and is in relation to one of the dedications he made for the book. On the opposite end he’s had tremendous joys that translate through his writing and into his characters. All of these experiences and his passion for books translate into a gorgeous book that quite honestly took my breathe away and had me in tears by the end.

Experiencing the picture book with my kiddos was also extraordinary. Both of them have thoroughly enjoyed both the print and the app, but in different ways. Littlebug definitely loves the picture book over the app, but Turkeybird loves the app perhaps a little bit more. Why? I’m not quite sure. It could be age or it could simply be that they’re both two very different kiddos with very different personalities and preferences. What I appreciate about having both is the opportunity to interact with the kiddos in various ways. It’s giving you the best of all worlds by having access to both and that’s not even mentioning adding in the occasional watching of the animated short that one an Academy Award last year. The experience on the whole for all of us has been phenomenal.

Within the pages of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm is a story filled with tragedy, hope, love, imagination, passion, recovery and of course, books. Mr. Morris Lessmore is a character based on the real life Bill Morris who also dedicated his life to books and the experiences that can be found within their pages. This is a story about passing the torch from one generation to the next knowing that through books our lives, imaginations, and experiences will live on forever. It’s a story about the power and importance of books. And as I said in my comment at Tales of Whimsy: “It speaks to my feelings as a parent in wanting to pass down that excitement for reading to my children. Hopefully they’ll pass them down to their own children one day with stories we enjoyed together when they were young.” Far and above the rest The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm is my favorite picture book of the year.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 2 and up. A book for all ages and book lovers. One to be read and appreciated over and over and over again. Do not miss this book!

Please listen to the two wonderful interviews with William Joyce over at Great Kids Books. They’re fantastic!

A few more wonderful reviews and links you will have to read:
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Mundie Kids
Diary of a Reading Kid Blog

Find The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Alibris | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Pick-up the iPad app:

Thank you so much to the publisher, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, for providing a copy of this book for review! Connect with them on Twitter, Facebook and on YouTube!
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