Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Magical story of a man who devotes his life to books.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Morris Lessmore loves books and is writing the story of his own life. But a big storm comes and turns his house upside down and scatters everything he knows, including the words of his book. Then he sees a lady be carried by a flock of flying books, and she sends him her favorite book, which becomes Morris' friend. The book (which has legs!) leads him to a big library, where he reads and cares for the thousands of books, all eager to be read. He shares the books with others and grows old, until he writes the last page of the book of his life -- a book that, after he's gone (carried into the sky by a flock of books), opens itself to a young person, just as a book had opened itself to Morris and changed his life.
Is It Any Good?
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a magical fable that made a delightful, wordless, Oscar-winning animated short film. But with text, it's even easier to grasp and fun to read over and over to catch all its nuances and dimensions. The art and story are gently surreal -- Morris sometimes falls into books and is lost for days, for example -- and fantastical, with books that walk, talk, fly, and love to be read, and a protagonist whose life is complete just reading and caring for books. It's odd and offbeat enough to avoid being sappy, too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the the compelling nature of books you can hold in your hand. Do you prefer reading stories on paper pages or in an app, online, or on an ereader? What's the difference in the experience of each?
Morris Lessmore takes good care of his books. Who else do you know who takes care of books as their job? How do you take care of books at home?
Have you ever thought of writing a book of your own story -- recounting your joys and sorrows and all that you hope for, like the book Morris Lessmore writes?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Joe Bluhm
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters , Numbers and Letters
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Atheneum
- Publication date : June 19, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 17
- Number of pages : 56
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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