Why I picked it up:
The title. That’s all there is to it. This title called out to me like the aroma of freshly baked cookies – I HAD to have it. I love the lilting melody of the words in this title, and as a librarian, the idea of flying books was intriguing. Somewhere in the back of my mind, the author’s name rang a bell (I’m bad with names), but this book was ordered without really knowing what we were getting!
Why I finished it:
Honestly, after we ordered it and it arrived, this book sat on my desk for a while. I must have just been busy or something, because when I finally got around to reading through it, I couldn’t put it down. Yes, I know it’s a picture book and there aren’t that many pages, but I literally couldn’t put it down. I carried it around the office telling anyone who would listen to me how amazing this book was!
There is SO much going on in it! The story opens with Mr. Morris Lessmore writing his memoirs before he is suddenly transported via tornado to a faraway, land (ala Wizard of Oz). He wanders through the black and white landscape until he meets a colorful lady who is held aloft by a “festive squadron of flying books” and leads him to the place where the books nest. Morris dedicates himself to taking care of the books and helping people find healing after the storm by putting books into their hands. All the while, Morris adds to his own book, the story of his life. Finally, a much older, more frail Morris completes his story and the same festive squadron of flying books carries him off. His book is now able to fly, just in time to befriend a little girl that wanders into the library. She eagerly opens the book and the reader knows that the books will continue to be in good hands.
Layered beneath this enchanting story, you will also find many allusions to other literature, to events in recent history (Hurricane Katrina), and to the life of the author, making it a rich read! The vocabulary is amazing, the visuals are stunning, and this poignant story is one you won’t soon forget.
Who I would give it to:
One of the themes of this book is that everyone’s story matters. It would be a great gift for a teacher or for anyone who has made an impact on your life. It would also be an excellent mentor text for autobiographies (see below).
Integration Ideas
Adaptations
This is the part that made me completely giddy as a techy librarian. After I read the book, I noticed that there was an app. And an augmented reality app. And a short film. SO exciting!
It started as an idea that Joyce had for a book. It wasn’t published until much later, as they started working on the film, then the app, and finally, the book was published.
This is an excellent opportunity to compare the different versions of the story. Begin by reading the book (always read the book before watching the movie!) and answer the following questions:
- Summarize the story in three sentences:
- How did you feel after reading this book?
- What elements of the book contributed to those feelings?
Then, watch the film (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VljJIQuPDSE) and answer the following questions:
- Summarize the film in three sentences:
- Did the film add to or take away from your understanding of the book? Why?
- How did you feel after watching the film?
- What elements of the film contributed to those feelings?
Finally, think about the two experiences. How are they similar? How are they different? Does the story change? Could they stand alone? How do they help each other? Which would you recommend experiencing first – book or film? Which experience do you think is more true to the author’s intent for telling the story?
Augmented Reality
IMAG-N-O-TRON: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” Edition ($.99): Link to iTunes
This is just too cool. This app pairs with the book to add a layer of audio/visual enhancement to your reading experience. You can listen to it being read, or you can just experience the effects as the pages come to life and you can interact with them. The flying books actually fly “off the page.” You are immersed in the swirling storm of words that carries Morris to the new land.
I love this intersection of technology and the printed word. This app applies technology at a high level of integration, in my opinion, allowing the reader to have new experiences while reading a physical book that were previously not possible. I am a librarian and I will always love physical, hold-it-in-your-hands books, but technology does bring new opportunities and amazing experiences. I’m hopeful that, because it says this is the “Fantastic Flying Books” EDITION of the IMAG-N-O-TRON app, that there will be more of these game-changing apps!
Autobiography
Throughout the story, Morris is writing in his book – his joys, sorrows, all that he knew, all that he hoped for. Though the storm knocks him off-track, he finds direction again as he becomes the caretaker of the books. When his book is full, he flies off, leaving his story there for the next person to read. And so the next story begins with the opening of Morris’ book. The 6-Word Memoir activity can help students practice summary and word selection as they consider what a memoir actually is. Students can write a 6-word memoir for one of the characters in the story as a warm-up before they write one for themselves.
Example 6-word memoir for Morris Lessmore – Everyone’s story matters. Even my own.
Check out the website for more info: http://www.sixwordmemoirs.com/
Memoirs of a Goldfish has an autobiography/memoir theme that would pair nicely with Fantastic Flying Books.
Bonus Tech Integration: Practice visual literacy and create a product that illustrates your 6-word memoir.
- Haiku Deck (app)
- Skitch (app)
- http://www.picmonkey.com/
- http://ipiccy.com/editor
Example: http://www.haikudeck.com/p/f73pEcaK6h/6-word-memoir
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