Have you had the delight of watching the animated short film "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" yet? I finally watched it yesterday and I have to say it is one of the loveliest most whimsical animated shorts I have ever seen. It is the sweetest fifteen minutes you will spend today. I promise. Watch it! Then come back and chat with me about what you think the ending means.
UPDATE: Sadly the video has been made private at Vimeo. Visit The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore to see the video for a limited time.
Info & Credit: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is currently available as an iPad interactive book and is scheduled to be released as a hardcover this summer. The short film has been nominated for a 2012 Acacademy Award for Animated Short Film.
Well, I'll take a stab at it. The emphasis is on the power of writing. It has something to do with a person can live on forever in the written word. The man was passing his legacy onto the little girl with the book he penned. Books are very important, they color our lives with the words within.
ReplyDeleteO I like that! To live on forever in the written word. So that's why he became young again? I like that.
DeleteSo that makes me think the little girl is the next writer? :)
Yes, I would agree with you. He's passing the gift of immortality onto her if she wants to step up to the plate.
DeleteRight on. I like that. :)
DeleteThanks for sharing your take with me.
I'll definitely watch it, thanks!
ReplyDeleteYay! And thank you for stopping by :)
DeleteDammit, this video just made me cry! (I'm so not kidding!) This was absolutely beautiful <3
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scenes were the ones where Mr. Lessmore was giving away books to the melancholy, black & white people and they would be filled with color. What a great way to show the power of books and how they can fill you with light, happiness, information and imagination!
The scene at the end made me cry at the office like a dodohead, lol. As for what I think it means, it was Mr. Lessmore's end and it was time to pass on the gift of books to someone else; a A new generation that will take care of the "flying books" :)
Thank you so much for sharing!
♥Isalys / Book Soulmates
O yes! I loved that scene too. How the books brought them color, joy, and life to their lives. Awesome analogy!
DeleteI got misty too! I agree on the little girl being the next caretaker.
That was fantastic. I got a little emotional at the ending, but we'll keep that between us book lovers. I love how they plunged him and his world into black and white when he lost his books and to color again when he recovered them. If was as if the books breathed life back into him.
ReplyDeleteAnd the end was perfect although a little sad. Thanks so much for sharing this video!
Oh I hadn't thought of that! He was black and white without his books. Good call.
DeleteOk I'll have to remember to watch this later tonight when I get home.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think :)
DeleteAw, what an adorable, sweet video! I took from it that books can live forever, as long as there is someone to read them. And reading books gives your life color and meaning. I absolutely loved this!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh yes. I hadn't seen that until you pointed it out but you are so right. They do live forever. Good call.
DeleteAbsolutely lovely, and very Wizard of Oz-y and Narnia-y! I love how it looks like it was made for book lovers. I mean, now I want a book bed and I want to dance with books and get them ready for school. hehehe
ReplyDeleteMr. Whimsy was just saying that he wishes he could find me sheets that looked like words.
DeleteThat was so sweet and I will admit, that little end bit made me tear up....;)I think that little video will touch many readers.... the animation was beautiful....I want flying books and a magic tree house!!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI want a book like Humpty that follows me around and advises me :)
Oh my, this was so sweet, I cried at the end too, hee hee! I love how Mr. Lessmore became the next librarian, and then how we are led to believe that the little girl was to take over. Books gives us life by opening our imaginations, that is what I got when the black/white people got their new books :) Such a sweet story, thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteA librarian? For some reason, I hadn't seen it like that. Great points! :)
DeleteSo so so lovely. I've actually seen bits of this before from the iPad app they have for it. Which is also amazing because you're able to get into the story from the video in an interactive way. It's amazing!
ReplyDeleteI've just always thought that the color is a representation of the life books breathe into us. They bring imagination and an expansion of thought that could normally take years of adventure & seeking but are able to be experienced within moments as you turn the pages of a book. I love that scene as he acts as a sort of "librarian" handing out "life" to those who come seeking. So neat!
As for the ending...well, I think it's as some others have said. A passing of the torch from one generation to the next. He's moved on, but through his words his life and imagination, his experiences will live on forever like those who came before him. So I think if there's a lesson to be learned it's that we should never forget the power and importance of books. Personally it speaks to my feelings as a parent in wanting to pass down that excitement for reading to my children. Hopefully they'll pass them down to their own children one day with stories we enjoyed together when they were young.
Okay...I think I've rambled enough. ;o)
"Handing out life". Wow. I love how you put that.
DeleteGreat point about the ending. The passing on to the generation to come. I do hope I can breath that same love and passion into my little one.
*hug*
You never ever ever speak too much in my opinion ;)
Perfect for booklovers! But be sure to bring tissues!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip!
DeleteOMG this is sooooo beautiful and lovely and cute!! Thank you sooo much for sharing, I didn't see thjs one before!! I couldn't see the whole video - sorry!
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm glad I have an iPad so that I can get the book in summer! Cuteness!
I'm so glad you liked it :)
DeleteOh, my goodness. I just loved this! Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it :)
DeleteOh my, there's no words I loved it, made me cry but that's ok (: Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAw good tears :)
DeleteOh my gosh! That was absolutely lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it was about how books color our lives with their stories, and how we the reader also in turn bring the stories to life. And then the end was a lovely bit about how a writer leaves a bit of themselves behind in their stories. And a writer, after completing a book must move on so that the story will bring life and color to a new person.
Thank you so much for sharing! That made my day! :)
Lauren @ Hughes Reviews
Leaving himself with the books? Yes yes I like that. Oooo he moves on so the story brings life to a new person? Brilliant. I love that. Your theories are fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing them.
DeleteWhat a sweet film! I like how the ending has him passing on the custodianship of the flying books to the little girl. Sharing the love of books is a never ending cycle.
ReplyDeleteHow true. Well put.
Delete:)
Thank you so much for sharing that, Juju! It was really beautiful and left me teary too!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it :)
DeleteWow, such a beautiful story and such a creative way to tell it. The part where Humpty waved to Mr. Lessmore, and then he incredulously waved back, seriously made me giggle. I loved the part where he was dancing with the books. And the ending was poignant and beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I loved Humpty. I wanted him to be my pal.
Delete:)
Oh yes, to have Humpty as our little pal would be awesome. :)
Delete:)
Deletethis looks so GOOD! :))
ReplyDeleteIt really is. I hope you get a chance to watch it.
DeleteLuv it! Thanks for the FYI!
ReplyDeleteYou always post the most interesting things Juju! I can't wait to get off work so I can watch this!!! Thank you:)
ReplyDeleteYou sweet talker you ;) I hope you get to see it.
DeleteThe link isn't working for me, but I will have to come back to watch it--the beginning looks really charming!
ReplyDelete***
Author Gail Carriger shares her favorite romantic book scene at The Midnight Garden!
I do hope you get a chance to see it :)
DeleteOn my way to watch it...can't wait!
ReplyDeleteIt's about a right of passage...and the little girl is the next keeper of the books...because all of the books went to her...
ReplyDeletePlus the best part is that when they are floating up with the balloons...they are getting younger...
Hmmm...I might be asking this too literally!!!
I loved the balloons too :)
DeleteBut why did they get younger? Do you think it's because he's passed on and he's immortalized at that age? Or do you have another theory?
That's what I thought. I thought the balloons were their passage to heaven.
DeleteBooks carry you to heaven. A truly lovely thought. :)
DeleteI started crying at the end, and I wasn't really sure why!! :) That IS a really sweet short.
ReplyDeleteI guess I was left thinking that reading books brings US to life, and we in return bring THEM to life.
Oh I love that. You bring up a point no one else has. :)
Deleteahhh . . . anything can happen in a book. I loved it, very sweet and tender.
ReplyDeleteOOh...how curious! Off to investigate... *click*
ReplyDeletePlease do :)
DeleteOh, thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteWhat an enchanting short film! I agree with Gina, Meredith and the1stdaughter....ah, I wish it was longer. I'll have to check out the iPad interactive book!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Juju! :)
Agreed :) (on wishing it was longer)
DeleteWhat a fantastic short! And I really like the theories that are being thrown around on your comments section. :) I wonder where I can find more of these videos.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it :)
DeleteDo you mean you're wondering where you can find the other nominees?
awww, i'll have to stop back by when i've got more time, it looks really cute!
ReplyDeleteO I hope you do :)
DeleteLike Carrie said above, I'll have to drop back in when I have a little more time. Thanks for sharing it though! It looks adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I hope it wins the Oscar for Best Animated Short.
ReplyDeleteMe too! It's well deserved.
DeleteThat is the most adorable short I've ever seen! I love it! I agree with Julie, this definitely deserves an Oscar! Thanks for sharing it, Juju! :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it :)
DeleteYAY!!! I'm going to wait til the kids can watch it with me!!! Excited! Thanks chick! xoxo
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! :) Let me know what you guys think.
DeleteMr. Morris Lessmore retired to book heaven....
ReplyDelete:) I like that :) Heaven should have an awesome library.
DeleteI'm late to the show here...but what an amazing short! As everyone said: the magic of books to not only breathe life into all of us...but also for us to breathe life into them...making of them what we will and what we need. an individual experience for each of us as we are all individuals. And then the passing on of the legacy...and the power of books to literally transport us to another place.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing. Do you mind if I share this?
Oh sure of course not darling! Though I must admit I would love if you give me a little shout out ;)
DeleteAnd you're so right. It is a different experience for us all. :)
oOHH such a cute idea! I am definitely going to watch this later before bed. Thanks for sharing, Juju! Looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteYes do! You will love it :)
Deletethank you so much for sharing this! it's wonderful :) there are so many sweet little moments, like when he resuscitates the old book by reading it (or really more exactly...by listening?)
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my very favorite scenes too. As a lover of old things, I really felt for that dusty book :)
Delete*brushes away tears* What a wonderful little film. I love the whole idea that reading makes books come alive, but books also bring life and colour to people's lives.
ReplyDeleteThe scene with him pouring cereal for and dressing the books in the morning. So cute!
Aw I'm so glad you liked it.
DeleteI loved the alphabet cereal too :)
I've had this page bookmarked for all this time until I could watch it. Thank you for bringing it to my attention - it was so very lovely! Seems like the man had died after living his life devoted to spreading his love of books, and was symbolically taken to heaven.
ReplyDeleteSO glad you liked it.
DeleteI love the idea of books taking me to heaven :)