I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My theme is open-ended. My goal is to write daily posts using each letter of the alphabet in April (Sundays off for good behavior and to make it work for the alphabet). I’ll be writing family stories, memoir or journal prompts, reviews about theatre and food, maybe a visit from my sock puppet characters Millie and Willie, and using photos I’ve taken along the way. Enjoy!

FThe Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce is a picture books for both kids and adults. The author had been working on this book since 1999. Hurricane Katrina happened, and he saw the power of books to help children in shelters. This book evolved into an Academy Award winning short film, which you can watch on Youtube.  It’s about Mr. Morris Lessmore and how he writes his own story, and begins his life with books, and leaves a special place in his heart for them.

The opening lines are lovely:
Mr. Morris Lessmore loved words.

He loved stories.

He loved books.

Now, wouldn’t you want to keep reading a book like that? Later on in the story, he writes “Everyone’s story matters.” He has to go away, but the stories live on. Then, a little girl finds them, in the library, “And so our story ends as it began…with the opening of a book.” The illustrations are beautiful. I especially like how the artist, Joe Bluhm, uses books to create a baby grand piano.  You can find an interactive version on the author’s website, Morris Lessmore.

I’ll be sharing this one with my theatre class kids this week. My piano student Peyton said, “It needs a sequel, about the girl and how she builds a library.”

Leo likes the book, too. He says, "Cat's stories matter, too."

Leo likes the book, too. He says, “Cat’s stories matter, too.”

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Do you have a favorite picture book?