William Joyce Nominated for Oscar

I was an elementary school librarian for 12 years before moving to the middle and high level. I loved story time and the picture books. Yes, I miss it, but I am a big fan of young adult literature too, so it is all good.

William Joyce is a Louisiana native like me, and I have always loved his picture books. I think that my two favorite of his books are Bently and Egg and Dinosaur Bob and his Adventures with the Family Lazardo. I would read all of his books at some point every school year. He has had a hand in all sorts of media over the years including books, tv, movies and apps. His new animation studio, Moonbot, has created an animated short called: "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore." It is nominated for an Academy Award in the animation short division. It is also dedicated to one of my professors, the late Coleen Salley. I just watched it. If you are a lover of books and the power of the story, then you will love this movie.
Mr. Morris Lessmore in scene from Joyce's animated shor
The opening sequence was inspired by Hurricane Katrina, but there are elements of the Wizard of Oz and the main character looks like Buster Keaton. The animation is pure 21st century, but the images are rendered in the retro design that you find in much of Joyce's work. Anyway, you can watch this movie for free. All you have to do is download from iTunes. You won't be disappointed.

Comments

  1. Mary Reilley ClarkFebruary 5, 2012 at 9:55 PM

    I watched this earlier today, but I missed the Colleen Salley connection. Makes me love the video even more!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ElizabethFebruary 6, 2012 at 7:18 AM

    It is also dedicated to the late William Morris of Harper Collins, another one of William Joyce's mentors. Hence the name of the title character, Morris.

    ReplyDelete

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