I don’t have three names. I have one name. One tail-wagging name. Rhythm. Makes my tail wag anyway, when I hear it. Rhythm. A catchy name. My name came from my puppy obedience trainer. I was named in memory of her favorite German Shepherd Dog. I guess there’s some meaning somewhere in that. I guess I’m carrying on some kind of legacy.
And the legacy continues, because quite a few kids in Glen Rose have named their dogs Rhythm. I guess there’s some meaning in that as well. Names do carry a lot of meaning. I don’t know about Human names, but all of my canine friends have names that fit them pretty well. Walker can’t sit still. His favorite job is walking the halls. Jolly ALWAYS has a smile and a wagging tail. Jazz is a crazy, happy girl. Hank was a good ole boy and superstar ball player. Now, here’s the thing — Do we become what our name ordains? Or are we SERENDIPITOUSLY given the name we need? I don’t know the answer to that, but I ponder it a lot.
Now all of this rambling about names leads me to my PPBF pick for the week. A book about a dog with Three Names.
Three Names was written by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Alexander Pertzoff.
Published originally by Harper Collins in 1991 and then by Scholastic in 1994.
Suitable for ages 5-9. I think that older kids would enjoy this one as well.
This is a fictional memoir about life on the prairie “back in the day” a hundred years ago or so.
It begins, “When my great-grandfather was young – a hundred years ago, he likes to say, but that’s not true — he went to school on prairie roads in a wagon pulled by horses.” This is Great-grandfather’s tale of a year in a one room school house. When Great-grandfather went to school in that wagon, his dog went, too. Great-grandfather called the dog Three Names, because everyone in the family had a different name for him. Lily called him Ted, Mama called him Boots, and Papa called him Pal.
This book is a fictional story, but I feel like it’s kind of about me. Three Names even LOOKS like me! Three Names went to school every day with the kids. It was a long way to school, but nobody worried about the kids because Three Names was there to take care of them along the way. Three Names loved all the children, except William, “who was sly.”
Three Names loved going to school. And he was welcomed as one of the class. This story is about a dog named Three Names who went to school, but it’s also about the beauty and magic of the prairie and about life in a one room school house. The bigger kids took care of the smaller ones. They all were kind of a big family.
Summer on the prairie was a fine time, but the kids and Three Names missed school. Every day Three Names would prance and dance around the wagon wanting to go down the prairie road. But he would soon sigh and settle down next to Great-grandfather and the two of them would dream about school.
This is a beautifully poetic book. Ms MacLachlan has an incredible knack for putting the reader in her “place.” I felt like I was riding along in that wagon, down the dirt road with the sun beaming down and the wind blowing my ears. This book would provide great fodder for a discussion of “place” in stories. The watercolor illustrations by Mr Pertzoff are a perfect accompaniment to Ms MacLachlan’s words. Soft and breezy. Unfortunately I could find very little about Mr Pertzoff. He was an avid naturalist and died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 56. A sad loss.
Patricia MacLachlan grew up on the prairie and knows it with her heart. She has written several books about that “place” that is home for her, namely, Sarah, Plain and Tall. You can find out more about her HERE.
An interesting article about Ms MacLachlan’s father Philo Pritzkau HERE.
Scholastic has a lesson plan for Three Names HERE. And suggestions for discussion groups HERE.
If you would like to look into the meaning of your name check out Behind the Name.
For more Perfect Picture Books and resources to go with, visit Susanna Hill HERE.
What does your name say about you? What “place” holds your heart?
I send a wag and a smile and a dance out your way – from the 7 Acre Wood, the place that holds my heart!
Rhythm
Reading With Rhythm 
I found a nonfiction book about prairies at a used book sale, and my seven-year-old loves it. This would be a great companion book for him to learn more about the time period. Thanks!
Three Names is kind of short and sweet, but does give a good feel for the frontier life.
What a neat book. I hadn’t seen it before, so thanks for sharing. And I love your name – you only need one.
One name is enough for me. I think that you would like this book.
I really love Patricia MacLachlan’s books. I haven’t read this one, but I love to read books about this particular time period. Enjoyed the interview you shared. Great lesson plan for teachers.
Thanks Ms Tilton. Ms MacLachlan paints a pretty picture with her words. I enjoy her stories as well. This one in particular catches my fancy because it’s about a dog like me!
I’m rarely called by my full name. They tend to call me Zac or Zaki, mummy also calls me the monster. But I’m fairly sure my real name is ‘dinner’ now that really gets my tail wagging 🙂
Dinner catches my attention as well! I’ll come running to that “name” anytime! Your name is an interesting one Misaki. Do you know what it means? Or where it came from?
It’s Japanese and means beautiful blossom:-)
Beautiful blossom. Yes, I can see that. 😀
My library had a copy of the first edition so I put it on hold. I think I will really enjoy this book! Thanks for the great review!
I think you will like this one. It’s a lovely book.
I guess they couldn’t decide what name to give Three Names, so they named him Three Names so they didn’t have to choose between three names. Ouch. I just gave myself a headache. Mom named me Cupcake because I was sweet. Yeah. That turned out to be true.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I can only count to three, but it seems that if the family each had a different name for him and then Great-grandfather called him Three Names, then that would be more than 3 names? And now look at your name – did you have a different name before you found your Mom? Were you so sweet when you met that Cupcake popped into her head? Perfect name. Serendipity.
The name on my shelter papers was Ka-Ka. Like poop!! What kind of name is that for a sweet girl like me? I was the sweetest, quietest, kissingest dog at the whole adoption event. Mom says thinking of my name was simple. Yup. Serendipity!
Oh, I’m glad that your Mom found you and had that sweet Cupcake name all ready for you!
I always wondered how you got your name, Rhythm! Sometimes I have even called you , Reading. Now I will correct that. And this book seems perfect for learning how school was long ago in the Prairie before real modern schools were built. I cant wait to read it. 🙂
People seem to have a hard time with my name. It comes out a lot of different ways. I hear Ribbon and Reba and Ready and Rebel a lot. I just wag my tail anyway. This book is a good look at a one room frontier school. Quite different from the big schools I visit. But not so different from the small school that is all the grades in one school building.
I Like Rhythm as a dog name. It is especially nice. I,, too. have had a lot of trouble with my name. That is one of the reasons I now call myself Clar to differentiate from Clarike or Clara. When I was little you can imagine the trouble Clarike gave me. And I was too young to make it easier for people like now.
Yes, It is amazing the growth of school buildings to accommodate more students.. 🙂
Clar is easy and right to the point. But Clarike has a nice look to it. Names can be quite fascinating.
Eko probably should have been named “Lap Dog” because that’s what he thinks he is!
Yes, I’ve seen those pictures of that “Lap Dog”! My Walker buddy likes to be a lap dog too. And where did Eko’s name come from?
Eko was named after my favorite character on the tv show LOST who was adventurous and provided guidance to those around him. Fits my pup like a glove I think.
Yes, indeed! Names do say a lot about us!
I like your new snow cover photo! I’ve enjoyed the other books I’ve read by Ms. MacLachlan–will have to look for this one.
Thanks Ms Wendy! We don’t get much snow here, but when we do I sure enjoy it! If you are a fan of Ms MacLachlan, you’ll like Three Names.
Ah, Rhythm, I’ve missed you, I always love your posts. Haven’t been able to do PPBF for a while-but I hope to be back now. We’re on our third rescue dog now, and I’ve always wondered about the dogs’ original names….but I think they loved us nonetheless, even with a new name. We have our choc. lab now named Jewel and she is! Like your choice of PPB and I love the Sarah stories so I will be sure to check this out.
Thanks Ms Miller! It’s nice to hear from you! I don’t know about people, but dogs seem to end up with the names that belong to them. Although I once knew a dog named Nothing. She always seemed a bit sad to me. I think that she needed a different name.
Awww…..maybe Something would have been better.
Yes, Nothing gave her nothing to reach for. Something would have been much better. 🙂
I can hardle get over the fact that you have a tatoo – lol! But the book looks appealing!
Yes ma’am! Right in my ear. Those gangster boys in detention have nothing on me. Kids seem to get all excited about my tattoo. Do you have any tattoos?
Nooooooo! Not a shout, but a long u!
😀
What a great name/title. I haven’t read this story, but I do love stories set on the prairies.
Prairie life, one room schools, kids and dogs. This is a great book!
My name means “all powerful ruler” in Norwegian. I like to think that it’s true. 😉
That seems quite fitting! 😀
Aw… Thank you! 😀
You’re welcome kind sir! 🙂
So I went to the PPBF list and of the twenty titles, guess where I went first? Yes, Three Names! Oh, Rhythm, I think we’ve connected. Thanks for a lead on this Patricia MacLachlan book I’ve never heard of.
I think you’ll like this book. It has a sweetness about it.
I bought my copy at a library sale several years ago. I love it. Thanks for introducing it to so many people! I should have guessed it would be one of your favorites. 🙂
It surely is one of my favorites. 😀
We live on a modern day prairie outside of a large city. We’ll have to see if our library has a copy.
I don’t know if modern day prairies are anything like old time prairies. I hope that they haven’t lost their beauty. But I think you will like this book, in any case.
This sounds like a lovely book. I can see you really enjoyed it Rhythm!
Yes, I did indeed, Ms Trapani!
I like immersive books on subjects I’m not that familiar with. I wish I had a cool name like Three names…
I don’t know – Ste J has an interesting ring to it. I don’t know the origin of your name, but it’s certainly original. Quite fitting.
Well, it’s not PPBF anymore, but I still love your review. I bet this is the first review written by a pup that I have ever read — unless I have read another one of yours. I can’t keep track of where I have been. On a prairie I would need a dog so I wouldn’t get lost and spend the night with coyotes
I think every pet has two or three names, even if there is only one person by their side.
Rhythm, Pal, “Here, Boy” Buddy you name it and if it is an affectionate name, you will probably be called it at least once in your lifetime. Maybe dogs and cats can count their worth based on the number of names they answer to. Just a thought. Great review!
Well, Ms Morris! Nice to have you come visit! That is an interesting thought that you pose. I do have a few nicknames. As does my buddy Walker. I know which ones are mine and who the Mom Person is talking to at any given time. Walker seems to think that the world revolves around him and every name is his. But that’s alright. I just shake my head and laugh a little. He’s rather entertaining.