The Three Questions [Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy]

Skip the trite Dr. Seuss. Get this. The message tender and wonderful. The art lovely. This is a wonderful story with a beautiful message.

This illustrated children’s book by Jon J. Muth was adapted from a short story by Leo Tolstoy, and it is a story that is loved by children and adults alike. Nikolai is a boy who yearns to be a good person, but he doesn’t know how, so he asks himself three questions: “When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?”His quest to find the answers puts him face to face with Leo, the turtle, who is an astute sage. Nikolai helps Leo and rescues a panda and her cub from a terrible storm. Through his actions, the boy finds the answers to his questions and, in so doing, discovers the truth about life. It’s a lesson the reader experiences with Nikolai and one well worth learning.Muth’s story is beautifully told and rendered in subtle watercolors by the author, who is an accomplished painter. In the afterward, Muth revealed that his son, also named Nikolai, modeled for the depiction of the boy in the story. The artist credited his own dog for inspiring the image for Nikolai’s feisty canine friend, Pushkin. Muth’s daughter, Adelaine, is portrayed as the rescued panda cub, and the author paid homage to Tolstoy in the form of the wise turtle, Leo.Muth’s work is widely recognized in both comics: Moonshadow, The Mystery Play, The Sandman: The Wake, and Swamp Thing: Roots and in children’s books: Come On, Rain!, Stonecutter, The Christmas Magic, and Zen Shorts. His awards include the Eisner Award for comic painting excellence, the Caldecott Honor Book recognition for Zen Shorts, and the Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators.One aspect of Muth’s work which is particularly interesting is that he went from illustrating comic books and graphic novels to children’s books. He said that working on comics was a good artistic outlet for some of the “angst” prevalent in life in his younger adulthood, and when he had children, he found himself gravitating toward children’s book illustration as a natural outgrowth of his love and appreciation for being a parent. This artistic evolution is evident in his reimagining of Tolstoy’s classic short story and bringing its life lessons to a new generation of readers.

As a grandparent, I am always looking for books to share with my grandchildren. This book will go to the top of my list. I believe it not only teaches children about living in the moment, but it also validates the need for moral/character development in young children. Nikolai is searching for the answers to three questions: "When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? and What is the right thing to do?". These are universal questions. Leo thinks his friends can help him will be able to help him, but they fall short of giving him the answers he is searching for. He ventures to asks Leo, the wise (old) turtle but Leo doesn't ceremoniously answer Nikolai's question. This is the part I really love, you can stop and ask your children or if you are an educator; allow your students to make predictions, write their own ending....so many ways to use this story.

We were having trouble at home being nice to one another, there seemed to be a lot of competiveness and arguing. My copy of Three Questions came in the mail, and had everyone take a few minutes time out to sit in the living room and listen.Nikolai would like to know, What is the most important time? Who is the most important? and What is the most important thing to do?Nikolai's friends try to give him answers. Nikolai thinks his friends are giving it their best answer but these answers don't feel right. He seeks the counsel of the old Turtle - Leo. When Nikolai arrives Leo is digging for his garden, and since it is much easier for a boy to dig than for a turtle, Nikolai digs Leo's garden. Just as he finishes digging a large storm moves in and Nikolai can hear the cries of a female bear who has been injured by a falling tree. After Nikolai rescues the bear she cries for her baby and Nikolai goes back into the storm to find the baby. He rescues the baby as well.After the storm, Nikolai's friends come to find him and Nikolai asks Leo again his questions. The most important time is Now. The most important person is the One you are With. The most important thing to do is to Do Good for the One who is Standing by Your Side.The storm in our house ended.These illustrations are beautiful and peaceful watercolors. The story helps children to understand a very important lesson. It helped me to understand an important lesson.Now when we are arguing, we stop, what is the most important time - Now. Who is the most important person - the one you are with. What is the most important thing to do - to do good for the one who is standing by your side. Are we following these simple rules, no. There may always be little disagreements, but I think this is a lovely foundation for everyone.Ages 4-8 is appropriate, your 4 or 5 year old will certainly enjoy the story. I beleive that your 6 year old and up will understand the concepts better, but it never hurts to start early.

A thought provoking story with beautiful, touching illustrations. Something that surely could resonate at different ages; and could be revisited over time with new meaning. We just shared with friends whose twins start kindergarten this year to welcome their newborn daughter. And we bought a second copy for our granddaughter to be given on her 7th birthday in August.

This is a universal story- touchiyon our quest to find purpose and meaning in life. I got it while my father was in end of life care. As an adult, this story reminded me that I was doing the right thing just by being present. It is also an important lesson for children of all ages- those under or over age 16, right up to 100+. It should be read often. Beautiful illustrations : soft, watery, transparent , gentle, peaceful. A must for caregivers who carry the world for another.

Das Beste für Jungs (3-5Klasse), sehr beliebt bei meinem Schülern.

Hermosa historia bellamente ilustrada.Las ilustraciones es como a ir a un museo.Si eres de los que piensan que regalar un libro es lo mejor, pues este es el perfecto regalo para niños y grandes.

Lovely story with a great message

A beautiful book with gorgeous watercolour illustrations, a story that provokes questions about not only the narrative but life and a lovely message, I'd say that's a good book! I bought this for my 3 year old daughter thinking it would be too advanced but she LOVED it. We read it 3 times in a row when it first arrived. It's not a traditional kids book but that is why I loved it so much - it will last her, on many different levels, for years.