THREE, A Picture Book with Countless Pleasures

 If you are a regular reader here you'll know that the soft spot in my heart for animals in general, and especially for dogs, is quite large. One reason there are so many picture books about dogs is that there are so many ways to explore the infinite hearts and natures of dogs. 

Earlier this spring I reviewed PERDU, by author/illustrator Richard Jones, including an interview. In that book, the title dog, Perdu, had a loving home but became lost. He is seeking, longing to restore his sense of belonging, something that he once knew and remembered well. (Spoiler alert: happy ending, but you already guessed that, right?)

Neal Porter Books
Holiday House, 2021

THREE happens to be a dog without a home. It just so happens  he is also a dog without a right front leg. Thus, he is THREE, a simple fact of life and number. That he is homeless appears to be a simple fact of life, unlike Perdu. 

Three conveys a gentle acceptance of everything in life, with intelligence and curiosity, including a clever capacity for making his solo journey through life with a happy heart and independent spirit. On a rainy day, he walks beside an umbrella-carrying character, he enjoys sunny days for warmth, raining days for a good wash, and keeps a wag in his tail to remain well-fed. 

"Every day was a skip and a hop for Three."

Light and direct text reveals the casual fact that Three occasionally looked for a home, but mostly spent time taking close account of the numbers of legs surrounding him. Little six-legs (ants) had a harder time surviving in the city, so made an underground home. Little eight-legs faced dangers, so had a home up high.It is not stated, but the inference is that somewhere there might be a just-right home for Three, but this was just another simple fact, not a cause for yearning or concern. Light touches like these prevent readers from feeling pity or worry, although Three invites connection and affection from the start. 

Three's joyfully rational perspective on legs notes that table and chairs have four legs, but never go far. In fact, some are often sat upon by two legs. Several colorful double spreads present urban landscapes with dashed-line trails revealing Three's various sojourns.Three follows his nose, and off he goes. 

When such a day leads him away from the city, he encounters entirely new and interesting four legs and two legs and long ears, and ... a two leg pretending to be a four leg. That new creature, named Fern, becomes a friend. Exactly the kind of friend they both needed.

This lightly told and lively-illustrated tale combines simple concepts with deep-seated truths. Perfect for even the youngest, there are  plenty of counting opportunities and loads of laughs at the clever insights offered. The rich reality of acceptance and confidence and respect also make this an ideal picture book for older readers, inviting discussion about differences and adaptability and attitudes. 

THREE is written and illustrated by Stephen Michael King. His books reveal mastery of versatile art techniques, applied with thoughtful effectiveness to the intention and spirit of the text. THREE is a winning example of using a light touch in both art and text to explore character and differences, resulting in a picture book I highly recommend. 

Molly Idle + Board Books = FLORA as a Chick-Sitter!

I was lucky enough to interview multi-talented author/illustrator MOLLY SCHAAR IDLE when her  initial FLORA picture book released, FLORA and the FLAMINGO. A quick click on her name will link you to her repertoire of picture book creations. When you have the opportunity, I'm sure that meeting her in the interview will charm you as much as the books themselves. 
I know I was charmed by our virtual meeting, by her ensuing Flora titles, and by her latest Flora adventure, a bowlful of fun in a board book, FLORA AND THE CHICKS: A Counting Book. 

Chronicle Books, March, 2017

In FLORA and the CHICKS, Idle has provided her irresistible character, FLORA, with a challenge of constrained but comical proportions. Always a fan of feathered friends (FLORA AND The FLAMINGO, FLORA AND THE PENGUIN, FLORA AND THE PEACOCKS), Flora arrives at the nest, bowl in hand, to collect eggs.  Just then Mama Hen strolls away and the chicks begin breaking out of their shells. With her signature grace and emotive expressions, Flora faces the challenge of corralling freshly-hatching chicks without losing a single one. That is accomplished with significant effort and creativity on Flora's part. 

On soft-white backgrounds, Idle generates elaborate subplots on each page-turn, including foldouts. Flora's balletic poses and problem solving analysis combine with comical chicks to allow little minds to fill as fully as their little hands. The tiniest details (a cracking shell, an unexpected worm, a foot-first egg-zit) provide rising action, suspense, and empathetic reactions. I can imagine little fingers pointing out escaping chicks while worry and amusement fill their faces. The gently-bold-blue numerals encourage returns for re-readings, allowing young ones to absorb and learn organically and joyfully.

Chronicle Books, September 5, 2017

I'm delighted to learn that Flora's foray into the board book audience will continue in September with the release of FLORA AND THE OSTRICH: An Opposites Book. I hope you are as eager as I am to get your hands on it in the fall. 

As a side note, I know just enough about art to know my limits, but I do recognize brilliance and balance of form, figures, color tones, and book  design. Idle's books are so rich in design and image that adults will welcome those re-readings rather than eye-rolling on the hundredth repeat.

There's no lack of board books dealing with basic concepts (colors, counting, alphabet, size, etc.). There's also an abundance of popular picture books that have been reworked for the tiniest hands, sometimes simplifying storylines and text but retaining their entertainment value and appeal. So, why fuss about a new line of board books? 

Because some board books, very special ones like these, will become the ones that are replaced if damaged, become "MY BOOK" when babes begin using words, and are treasured and passed along to the next generation.

If you know anyone with a toddler or someone expecting a baby, add this to your shopping list and start a little one on a love of books.