The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore - reviewed by Tom

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
Illustrations by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm.

Reviewed by Tom (age 9)

This book is about Mr Morris Lessmore who loves stories and books. Every day he would write in his own book about his joys and sorrows and everything he hoped for. Then one day there was a big storm and everything was destroyed even the words in his books. He began to wander off and he saw a lady in the sky with a bunch of flying books. She gave Morris her favourite book and the book led him to a building full of books. Morris went inside and began living with the books. He read the books and looked after them. Sometimes he would become lost in a book for days. He would share the books with other people. Every night he would write in his own book of his joys and sorrows and everything he hoped for. The days, months and years passed and Morris became old. The books then looked after Morris. Morris Lessmore filled the last page in his book then he flew away into the sky with the flying books. Morris had left behind his own book. Then a girl came in and saw all the books. Morris Lessmore's book came up to her for her to read. She then starts to read the books.

I like this book because I like the pictures. I am not sure if this is a happy or sad story because Morris Lessmore leaves. It is a good bedtime story. Morris like to read adventures in books and I do too. 

I rate it 8/10

Mum's comments

This is a lovely book which I have to read to Tom's twin every night as he is fascinated by it. My children have some difficulty grasping some of the themes in the book due to their autism but the book provides a platform for later discussion. One of the themes is that you can find comfort in books during difficult times and also concepts of death and change. The first time I read the book I got a little lump in my throat and felt a little emotional but I do love the story and I especially love the writing style. This book has some lovely lines that I love reading out loud such as "Then a happy bit of happenstance came his way". Towards the end of the story Morris Lessmore grows old and decides it is time to leave. We then see that he has turned into a young man again as he gets lifted towards the sky by flying books. I think this is a lovely way of introducing the concept of death. Younger children may miss this reference and just think he is off on another adventure. 

The illustrations are lovely and have been done by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm. The pictures are quirky and match the vintage style of writing used throughout the book. 

This hard cover book will be a keeper for years to come. I would love to eventually find a signed copy of this book for Jack. He requests that I read this book to him every night and I think when he is older that this book will remind him of our happy bedtime reading times.

To find out more about the book, the app or the short story film then visit the book's website.  MorrisLessmore.com