Three Names

Boys have always been attached to their dogs.  And Great-Grandfather was attached to Three Names, so called because everyone in the family had a different name for him.

Three Names by Patricia MacLachlan isn’t so much about the relationship between Great-Grandfather and Three Names, as it is about Three Names being a part of Great-Grandfather’s childhood on the Midwestern prairie.

Alexander Pertzoff illustrates the book with beautiful water colors, capturing the images, emotions and changing nature of the prairie.  Of course, MacLachlan’s beautiful writing draws readers into the simple story of a boy, his childhood and his dog as they walk to and from school with their classmates and work on the farm.

While Three Names is a picture book, it’s a longer one, so be prepared to sit and read awhile, or break the book into several sittings.

Recommended for ages 3 – 8.