Fantastic Flying Friends

slices at Two Writing Teachers!

I've always loved imagining that the world around me (animals, objects, everything) is alive.  My husband and I went to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D, and I told him that I wish I lived in an enchanted castle like that.  (He made fun of me, of course!)  I mean, how great would it be if you were surrounded by friendly pots, pans, shelves, closets, etc. that all talked to you and sang songs to cheer you up!  :-)

Possibly reading my mind, the librarian at School #1 recently sent out an email recommending a short film to all the staff.  After putting it off for several days, I finally got around to watching it, and all I can say is that I wish I'd watched it right away!  This short, "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore", is AMAZING!  What if books were friendly creatures that invited you into their lives with open pages?  Watch the film to find out!  (It's just under 15 min but well worth it!)


The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

I love how the film depicts books changing a broken, black-and-white world into full-color, renewed life.  It's beautiful how things turn to color as soon as the person touches a book.  I love the idea of an author flying to someone in need of a book, starting them off on their powerful journey to discovery through books.

 I love the friendly way the books encourage the character to write his book after he's spent time with them. (This makes me think of Tuesdays when I'm worn out and uninspired -- after reading a few other people's slices, all of a sudden words are brewing in my brain!)

I love how he repairs the old, tattered book and discovers that its story is just as magnificent as any newer book -- and maybe even better!  Sometimes I feel like so much attention gets paid to great new books, especially in schools, that we forget that older classics can still speak to kids too!

Throughout the film, I love the depiction of books as friends: they hold people's hands, they react emotionally, they WANT to be loved by someone.  This is such a beautiful representation of the way a reader can interact with a book.  It makes me think of all the old friends I love going back to, whose pages are yellow and wrinkly from being turned so many times.  Little House on the Prairie, Emily of New Moon, Cheaper by the Dozen, A Tale of Two Cities, and so many others with characters that feel like family and words that inspire me and envelop me with comfort.

What was your favorite moment in the film?  How did it remind you of your own journey as a reader (or writer)?