The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

It is true that reading takes you places. But have you ever seen books fly?? In this imaginative picture book, Morris Lessmore meets and cares for a library filled with fantastical flying books. The story is creative, and the pictures bring the book to life. In one illustration, Morris becomes "lost in a good book" and the letters appear to jump off the page!! This book is highly recommended for both younger and older children.

Rome Antics by David Macaulay

Book Information
Macaulay, David. Rome Antics. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1997.

My Summary and Review
A pigeon carrying an important message takes the reader through ancient and modern Rome. The simple story line is just a frame for the intricate, detailed and majestic line drawings of Rome's treasures. Reader: I challenge you to identify all of the sites within Rome that are drawn by Macaulay's masterful pen. At the back of the book, readers will find a detailed bird's-eye view of Rome, and a list of all the locations that the pigeon has visited.

Other books by David Macaulay include Cathedral and The Way Things Work. His books have won many prestigious awards, including the Caldecott Medal and Honour Awards, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.

Mr. M: The Exploring Dreamer

Book Information
Meister, Soizick. Mr. M: The Exploring Dreamer. Vancouver, Canada: Read Leaf, 2010.

My Summary and Review
The enigmatic Mr. M explores his thoughts and a Canadian Surrealist landscape.

This book is poetic and beautifully illustrated (acrylics on wood or canvas). A deliciously slow read: savour each sentence, and have a dictionary close at hand.

My Notes
Generally, I expect picture books to have rhyming couplets, or at the very least, to star children. At first, I only gave this book a brief glance before sharing it with others, who enjoyed it. I gave it a second chance, and was better able to appreciate the symbolism and the art!

Picture Books that Adults Will Enjoy

Book Information
Smith, Lane. It's a Book. New York: Roaring Brook, 2010.

Book Review
The latest bestseller from the award-winning artist, Lane Smith. Smith's explanation of a "book" involves a lot of smart humour that is targeted to a more mature reader. Clearly, the donkey is only too familiar with the concept of "e-books"! What would the donkey do with a Kobo? An enjoyable read for older children and adults.

Older readers might also enjoy picture book biographies, including Lost Boy by Jane Yolen, as well as the funny ways in which a boy "shows" his dad to do ordinary activities in Oh Daddy by Bob Shea.