App Review: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Sara got into the gesture controls of the iPad quickly and was tapping away enthusiastically exploring the juicy tidbits of animation being revealed on the screen. I loved The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. MorrisLessmore (Moonbot) before showing Sara, but sharing the experience with her helped me get a better sense of how children interact with this technology. 

In March I flew out to Northern California to visit my brother and his extended family. I met my brother’s six-year-old granddaughter Sara for the first time.  Despite my jet lag, I spent a very pleasant evening with Sara, her parents and new baby brother at their home in the redwoods of Mendocino County. While her parents and my brother and sister were chatting and making dinner, I introduced Sara to The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. 

How did I find this app?

I got my iPad in October, 2011.  I know, I’m not an early adapter.  I resisted Apple’s genius of building things we all have to have. Things we all have to have that come with a hefty price tag. I knew a lot of creative energy had gone into app production and I definitely had to play catch up. I discovered The Fantastic from a New York Times list of the best apps of 2011. I didn’t realize at the time that it was based on an Academy Award winning animated short.

Who produced it?

This app was created by MoonBot Studios headquartered in Louisiana. It was inspired by co-director William Joyce’s friendship with publishing giant Bill Morris. Mr. Morris was obviously a special person to elicit such loving devotion. In an interview after winning an Academy Award, Moonbot explains “The story of Morris Lessmore was originally planned for release as a book. When Moonbot Studios was formed, we decided to use the story as the basis for our first project, an animated short. During production on the short film, Apple announced the release of the iPad, and we jumped at the chance to bring Morris Lessmore to the new platform.”

What makes it special?

On of my major complaints about much of children’s media is the lack of high production values.  Values like exceptional art work and quality design. Moonbot has gone far beyond the standard fare with this project.  They combined 2 and 3D animation and miniature set design to create a visually stunning experience.  But it’s about the story too.  Oddly enough, as we are reading this on an electronic device, it’s all about loving books. A picture book is scheduled to be released this year. 

How did Sara interact with it?

One of the things that’s so wonderful about kids and technology is that they are fearless.  They aren’t afraid of doing something wrong…they just forge ahead trying every option.  If it doesn’t work, they just try something else.  They are definitely hands on.  I am surprised when I show adults my iPad and they don’t want to touch it.  No kid would watch me play and not jump in.

I do think that the bells and whistles get the most attention at first, but this story is endearing and will eventually get the viewer's attention it deserves.  I can’t imagine anyone opening up The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore and not going back again and again.