Using The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a great way to teach compare and contrast. This animated short is a beautiful award-winning film.
Teaching Compare and Contrast with the Animated Short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore [15:07]
After winning 14 smaller awards, it won the Best Animated Short Film at the Academy Awards in 2012.
Teaching Idea #1
A picture book was created based on the film which makes it ‘fantastic’ as a compare and contrast activity.
Teaching Idea #2
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore has enough similarities to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz that comparing the two films is ideal since most students are familiar with the classic movie.
The Handout
In this free sample from Using Animated Shorts to Teach Reading and Writing Skills, printables are included for comparing the book to the video and for comparing The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore to the movie version of The Wizard of Oz which inspired the film. An answer key for the second option is included.
What people are saying about the full unit…
Michelle
This has been a great resource to help with reinforcing concepts taught and super easy to incorporate into mini lessons. I love that all the videos are linked and the vast array of different activities to support understanding literary elements. Highly recommend!
The handout includes the following information:
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
The color images are in reverse in The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. The color turns black and white.
The story is in full color at the beginning and then turns to black and white after reaching a new land.
Mr. Lessmore walks through the countryside along a road and meets new characters – a lady floating in the sky and a book with Humpty Dumpty.
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore contains no antagonists.
Mr. Lessmore returns home by flying books.
The Wizard of Oz
Dorothy’s story is all just a dream.
When Dorothy is in Kansas, the film is in black and white. When she reaches Oz, the film changes to full color.
Dorothy follows the yellow brick road to reach Emerald City. Along the way, she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.
Dorothy battles the Wicked Witch.
Dorothy returns home by clicking her heels together.
Both
Both contain a storm that causes the main character, house and all, to blow away to a new land.
A bicycle is carried away by the wind of the storm.
Both use color and black/white images to show the characters are in a new setting.
More Samples from the Teaching Reading with Animated Shorts Series
- Inference
- Summarizing
- Main Idea and Details
- Point of View and Perspective
- Theme
- Characters and Setting
- Cause and Effect
- Compare and Contrast
- Problems and Solution
- Christmas Shorts
- Mood and Tone with Christmas Shorts
Check out all six products in the Reading and Writing Series. Units are also available as bundles.
Reading Series
2 comments
I wanted to get the iPad app for this book, but understand it is not available in the US app store. Would you have any idea where to get it?
Author
When I was looking for the iPad app, I couldn’t find it in the US either. I wish you luck! It looks fantastic.