The Importance of being 3 by Lindsay Ward – Book Review

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From the Publisher:

All the best things come in threes, not one, not two, but three, like the three-year-olds in this sweet picture book. As all parents know, three is a big year. Follow along as three friends learn new things in threes—from tricycles to triangles—take a dip in the pool, and play in the park with their friends!  Of course, it’s not all fun and games. There’s a tantrum and then hugs all around as the three kids head to bed.
This adorable picture book celebrating important life events is the perfect gift for third birthdays. Kids will love pointing out all the activities they can do now that they are three years old.

Description:

The book, told in rhyming verse, shows the importance of and all the best things about being three. The illustrations in the book are comprised of cut-paper collage, ink, and pencil and depict things that come in threes, emphasizing the message that being three is very important. Some of the most common childhood “threes” are referenced, such as three bears and pigs, three primary colours, etc.  The three children are ethnically diverse and differ in gender (two girls and a boy).  The text is overall cheerful and uplifting, and there is even a tantrum (very realistic for this age).  Specific developmental milestones are not referenced, and some of the events are a bit beyond the realm of realistic for this age, but overall, it would be a fun gift for a child turning three!

My Experience:

My newly turned three year old really enjoyed having this book read to her, and she picked it up several times on her own to look at.  We had fun finding all the “threes” on each page – she initiated this.  Overall, a good reading experience for us.

     Likes:

• consideration of diversity – each of the three children appears to be of a different race
• allows for lots of numeracy/counting practice as there are multiple groupings/examples of “three” on each page to count (e.g. three ducks, three mice, three wheels on the tricycle, etc.)

     Dislikes:

• a few confusing parts – why are all three of the kids together for bed time?  Is it a sleep over? – continuity issue
• a few of the activities in the book may be beyond a typical 3 year old (e.g. writing the alphabet, reading to themselves before bed, reading books of Haiku)

Why/How Use it with kids:

• great gift to give a child turning 3
• talk to kids about some of their favourite things about being 3 (or whatever age they are). What can they do now that they couldn’t do before?
• ask kids what they are looking forward to doing when they turn a year older (i.e. what new things will they be able to do when they are 4, etc.
• use the book for numeracy/counting practice by counting all the things there are three of on each page
• draw/make/write about their own favourite things about being three

About the Author:

Lindsay Ward is a cut paper artist whose author/illustrator credits include When Egg Met Blue, Please Bring Balloons, and Henry Finds His Word. She received her BFA from Syracuse University and lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband and dog
~Erin

Order from Chapters/Indigo, Amazon.ca or Amazon.com*

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