Sunday, February 16, 2020

Three by Stephen Michael King


... my story became one of understanding, acceptance, empathy, being thankful and following your own path.  Stephen Michael King


Three lives in the here and now. He does not worry about the past. He is happy with his life. We do not know his back story and perhaps we don't need to know it. As I said he lives in the here and now. One, two, three he skips around the city enjoying the sun, feeling clean when it rains and eating the food that is given to him by kind people. Three is joyful and optimistic.

Legs are everywhere and little Three uses them as a way to classify the creatures in his world. There are six legs (ants); eight legs (spiders); and four legs (chairs). Using his own three legs, Three ventures out of the city one day where he discovers trees and green hills and different legs - a four leg with spikes on its head (cow); a winged two leg (hen); a pink four leg that "snorted through its flat, friendly nose." (pig); and a two leg "pretending to be a three leg, just like him."

Three has found his heart's desire - a home and someone to love. Fern loves Three and Three loves Fern and together they can embrace happiness!  Read this book, smile and then make yourself a big plate of hot pancakes with ice cream.

I recommend you try to look at other books by Stephen Michael King and compare them with Three. He is SO GOOD at creating little dogs. AND those eyes!  How can a dot or two dots convey such emotion?

I am hoping that Three will make the list of CBCA Notables for 2020 and from there the short list. I would also like to nominate this book for the IBBY Collection of Books for Young People with a Disability. Here is an interview with Stephen Michael King. You can also read about the inspiration for this story on Stephen Michael King's web site. 

Mutt Dog has a very similar plot to Three. I plan to read these two books side by side.



I will also read Let's get a pup and Buffy by Bob Graham with Three.



Finally if you can find a copy try to read The Mouse with the too long tail.


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