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Reading and Writing (10)
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AlphabetEliot Noyes, Jr 1966 6 minThis short animation is an energetic romp through the letters of the alphabet, A for Apple, Z for Zebra. None, however, retains the expected form for long, fading, changing at the artist's whim. Appropriate for anyone at the reading-readiness stage, young or old. -
Any Time Is Story TimeMichel Drapeau 2004 11 minAn engaging storyteller introduces us to the Marquez family, whose story is revealed through wonderful animated illustrations. The parents are at first reluctant to read to their son Miguel, but they overcome all the obstacles, and family life is forever changed.
This video is useful in literacy centres and for kids 4 to 8 years old. It is intended to encourage families to read together. Learning to read involves learning to listen, tell stories and write. The videojacket has suggested activities to develop these skills among young learners. -
The Day Is ListeningFélix Dufour-Laperrière 2013 8 minThis short animation is set to the words of poet Hélène Dorion. In the film, a man and a woman's love for each other rivals only their affection for the written word. Literature accompanies the murmur of their lives and the harmony of their feelings. Filmmaker Félix Dufour-Laperrière’s imagery parallels Dorion’s words to articulate the familiar cycles of longing, loss, and desire.
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The Girl Who Hated BooksJo Meuris 2006 7 minThis animated short about literacy introduces us to Meena, a young girl who hates books even though her parents love to read. Books are everywhere in Meena's house, in cupboards, drawers and even piled up on the stairs. Still, she refuses to even open one up. But when her cat Max accidentally knocks down a huge stack, pandemonium ensues and nothing is ever the same again.
Part of the Talespinners collection, which uses vibrant animation to bring popular children’s stories from a wide range of cultural communities to the screen. -
The Geographies of DARMonique LeBlanc 2023 1 h 13 minA visually stunning film on acclaimed author David Adams Richards and his connection to one of Canada’s most overlooked yet breathtaking regions.
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Korean AlphabetKim In Tae 1967 7 minThis short animation is a colourful introduction to the Korean alphabet. The film, which marries visuals by Kim In Tae, a young Korean filmmaker training in the NFB’s Animation Studio, and synthetic sound by Norman McLaren, was made to teach the alphabet to Korean children, but its slick graphics and modern soundtrack will appeal to anyone.
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Mr. Bear's SongElizabeth Walker 1997 16 minFollowing Fiona Garrick in her print shop, this short film reveals the story behind the creation of a children's book. Whether writing, engraving, mixing ink colours, operating a 100-year-old printing press or hand binding, she treats every aspect of bookmaking with extraordinary skill and craft. In the era of superstores and media conglomerates, Garrick takes us along on a special journey of careful, contemplative creation.
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Miserable MiracleRyo Orikasa 2023 8 minDirected by Japanese filmmaker Ryo Orikasa, the animated short Miserable Miracle was inspired by Henri Michaux’s book of poetry and drawings of the same name, about his experiences with mescaline. The film explores the limits of language and perception, creating connections between sound, meaning, shapes and movement.
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Sequence and StoryDon White 1983 5 minIn this film a group of children manipulates reality using a series of photographs of their own activities. As they lay out the photos in different sequences, the story of their day changes. Simple, realistic dialogue and a combination of live action and still photographs capture the viewer's imagination.
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Window HorsesAnn Marie Fleming 2016 1 h 29 minThis feature-length animated film centres around the story of Rosie Ming, a young Canadian poet invited to perform at a Poetry Festival in Shiraz, Iran. Rosie lives in Vancouver with her over-protective Chinese grandparents, and has never been anywhere on her own. But once in Iran, she finds herself in the company of poets and Persians, all of whom tell her stories about her past, the Iranian father she had assumed abandoned her, and about the nature of poetry itself. This is a film about love, finding your own path, and learning how to forgive.
