The Three Questions | Jon J. Muth | Rediscovering Tolstoy

The Three Questions | Jon J. Muth | Meaningful book

books:

The Three Questions

	The Three Questions Jon J. Muth Scholastic Press, 2002 - 32 pages average customer review:based on 62 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Rediscovering Tolstoy

Jon J. Muth's "The Three Questions" is a beautiful retelling of Tolstoy's short story with the same title. In Muth's version, a young boy named Nikolai wants to know the answers to his three questions: When is the best time to do something? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? After consulting with his friends (a monkey, dog, and heron) and not truly satisfied with their answers, Nikolai decides to go see Leo, the wise old turtle who lives further inland. Once he arrives at Leo's house, Nikolai is moved to action when he helps Leo with his garden, saves a mother panda and her cub from a storm, and in the process finds the answers to his three questions...

I found myself as engrossed in this story as my second grade class did. Muth's watercolors are beautiful and lifelike, his writing is both poetic and factual, and he has made this story engaging to both child and adult audiences. The story's powerful message of love, respect, and kindness towards others makes "The Three Questions" and ideal book for young audiences... especially if you are trying to reinforce theses characteristics. So visit the library, shop online, or go to your nearest bookstore and get a copy of this wonderful book; you won't regret rediscovering Tolstoy through a child's eyes.

for more information click here

Meaningful book

In a world lacking meaningful books for children, this book really comes through. I was really encouraged when I read this book, because I was beginning to wonder whether everyone was convinced that kids were mindless, wiggling bodies. The books that are out there for them seem to assume that they aren't capable of exploring deep ideas. However, this idea doesn't assume too low of them...and doesn't overwhelm them at the same time. My household has already read it many times...and I can't wait to keep having discussions about it as the little one gets older.

for more information click here

Turn off the lights.

Teachers' take note. When you are thinking that today's children are reading less each day, are more interested in video games than the written word, and are eating more than their share of sugar, turn off the lights, gather on the reading rug, and read this book slowly and softly. I promise that you will hear several pins drop as you read and the discussions during and after reading are quite remarkable in their honesty and insightfulness. This book lends itself nicely to a writing assignment about individual student questions. I have also used this book in math - making kites, triangles, symmetry, flip, etc. Quite a book!

for more information click here

Wonderful!

This book is one more beautiful example of the artistic and thought provoking genius that is J Muth. For adults and children alike this book is to be treasured and passed on generation to generation. EVERY FAMILY NEEDS A COPY OF THIS BOOK!

Beautiful paintings and a lovely story

This sets up the provocative three questions which point at the very reason for us existing so very temporarily on this planet.

It might go over some more immature heads but the message of helping others will be well received.

Definitely a step up from reading the usual mindless celebrity-driven children's dreck. This and "Zen Shorts" (which is actually better, IMHO!) are recommended.

for more information click here