The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore; W. E. Joyce

Bit of a strange book this in the sense that it appeared as an app and an award-winning animated short film before Morris Lessmore’s story made its way onto the pages.

An avid reader and writer, Morris Lessmore was content with his simple life. Every morning he would open the pages of a very special book - the one he was writing that told the story of his life - and recorded his joys and sadnesses, hopes and dreams. All was good until a big storm turned his life upside-down; ‘every story has its upsets.’ Confused and with nowhere to go, Morris was at a loss until he saw the most remarkable of sights; a lady being pulled through the air by a ‘festive squadron of flying books.’ A gifted book gives Morris new direction and as he enters the doors to a most marvellous library, a new life with books awaits…

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore is a truly wonderful picture book. A beautiful narrative and gorgeous artwork combine to tell a story that celebrates the pleasures of reading, a love of books, the power of stories and the magic that can be found within the pages. 

Books can do many things; they can provide endless amounts of pleasure, they can sweep you away to other worlds, they can heal broken souls, cheer people up on gloomy days, teach new things, provide comfort and company, and so much more. After Morris loses everything, it is books that fix him as he befriends the most wondrous of ones whose pages are alive, whose covers flap like the wings of birds and whose stories need to be heard.

Books are everywhere within the pages; on the floor, on the shelves, in hands, in cupboards, in the sky, on mounts - it is like one of those old-fashioned bookshops you visit where every conceivable space is filled with books. Amongst the piles, Morris finds comfort and purpose. Spending his days repairing the damaged and weary ones, re-ordering them when they get mixed up (tragedies often head over to the comedies to cheer themselves up and fact-weary encyclopaedias hang out with the comics and fictions) and sharing books with others - bringing colour back to the lives of those who need it most. Slowly, he learns to love life again and as he grows older the books take care of him just as he has done for them.

Within this book about the joys, power and magic of books is a gentle story about love, loss and healing. This joyous love letter to books, stories and words is quite possibly the perfect picture book to encourage reading and to celebrate all things brilliant about books.

Recommended for 7+.