Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy. A young boy asks: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? Find out what he learns in this charming, lyrically told story
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Nikolai is a boy who believes that if he can find the answers to his three questions, he will always know how to be a good person. His friends--a heron, a monkey, and a dog--try to help, but to no avail, so he asks Leo, the wise old turtle. "When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?" Leo doesn't answer directly, but by the end of Nikolai's visit, the boy has discovered the answers himself.
Award-winning illustrator Jon J Muth's lovely watercolors are the most appealing aspect of this book about compassion and living in the moment. The simple Zen-based profundity of the boy's philosophical exploration may escape young readers, but they will enjoy the tale of a child who, in doing good deeds (for a panda and her baby, no less!), finds inner peace. Muth based his story on a short story of the same title by Leo Tolstoy. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter
From Publishers Weekly
Muth (Come On, Rain!) recasts a short story by Tolstoy into picture-book format, substituting a boy and his animal friends for the czar and his human companions. Yearning to be a good person, Nikolai asks, "When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?" Sonya the heron, Gogol the monkey and Pushkin the dog offer their opinions, but their answers do not satisfy Nikolai. He visits Leo, an old turtle who lives in the mountains. While there, he helps Leo with his garden and rescues an injured panda and her cub, and in so doing, finds the answers he seeks. As Leo explains, "There is only one important time, and that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your side." Moral without being moralistic, the tale sends a simple and direct message unfreighted by pomp or pedantry. Muth's art is as carefully distilled as his prose. A series of misty, evocative watercolors in muted tones suggests the figures and their changing relationships to the landscape. Judicious flashes of color quicken the compositions, as in the red of Nikolai's kite (the kite, released at the end, takes on symbolic value). An afterword describes Tolstoy and his work. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
There once was a boy named Nikolai who sometimes felt uncertain about the right way to act. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
There once was a boy named Nikolai who sometimes felt uncertain about the right way to act. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Roz Levine
Format:Hardcover
"There was once a boy named Nikolai who sometimes felt uncertain about the right way to act..." He wanted to be a good person, but was unsure how to accomplish his goal. Nikolai had three important questions...When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? "If only I could find the answers to my three questions... then I would always know what to do." So he decides to seek the counsel of Leo, the turtle. "He has lived a very long time. Surely he will know the answers I am looking for." But as he reaches Leo's home, high in the mountains, disaster strikes, and without even thinking Nikolai takes action, and in the process finds the answers he's been searching for..... Based on Leo Tolstoy's short story, Jon Muth has authored a reflective and inspired picture book retelling of The Three Questions. His simple and eloquent text, with its gentle message of compassion and living for each moment, is enhanced by lovely and evocative watercolor artwork in quiet and subdued tones. Together word and art answer Nikolai's questions in a captivating and engaging way..."Remember then that there is only one important time, and that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your side. For these, my dear boy, are the answers to what is most important in this world." With an Author's Note at the end to augment the story and introduce Tolstoy and his works, The Three Questions is a perfect fable for youngsters 5-9, and is sure to open interesting and thoughtful discussions.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By E. Olson
Format:Hardcover
A zen riddle? A story by Tolstoy? A comics illustrator? You wouldn't think these three things would come together to form one of the most lovely pieces of children's literature I've seen recently - but they do. This is a book I purchased to read to my 3 year old, but I find it a comfort to myself, as well. Jon J. Muth's watercolour illustrations set a pensive mood for a weighty tale, told lightly.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book tells a story that helps children learn one of the most important lessons in life. Parents will benefit from reading this book as well. There is a parallel between this book and the work of the famous Arbinger Institute (arbinger.com), where adults can even learn more about living the principles provided from this excellent children's book.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
so worth it!
I bought this book for my daughter, who is 31. The art work is incredible, such a simple, but powerful story.. Why are we Here? a story Leo Tolstoy. This book is for all ages.. Read more
Published 18 months ago by M. Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life is a quest and this book has great answers
The moral of Leo Tolstoy who influenced the world with War & Peace & Anna Karenina is condensed with reader-friendly creativity in this children's classic: THREE QUESTIONS. Read more
Published on Sep 18 2010 by Reflection Haiku
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great book to talk about
What a wonderful book. It really gives you a great starting place for basic discussions with children. Read more
Published on July 14 2004
2.0 out of 5 stars
Trite and arrogant
As a great fan of Tolstoy I am certain he would be mortified to be touted as the inspiration for this book. Read more
Published on Mar 15 2004 by Amanda Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Precious Little Book!
The five minutes it takes to read this little book just might be the best time investment in your life. I'm serious. Read more
Published on Nov 11 2003 by Rosebud
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Book To Show Us What We Already Know
Nikolai, a young boy, seeks the answers to three of life's most difficult questions. Soft delightful watercolors enhance the setting throughout as we learn about Nikolas's... Read more
Published on Nov 4 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Book for Child or Adult
"The Three Questions" by Jon J. Muth will entertain very small children with its simple prose and moving illustrations (Muth is a famously gifted comic and children's illustrator). Read more
Published on Jun 2 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Three Questions
I really liked the book, beautiful watercolor drawings, and a great plot, one of my favorite books.
Published on Feb 24 2003 by anonymous
4.0 out of 5 stars
a lovely gift
for a young child, this book illustrates an important moral lesson in terms children and adults can appreciate. The illustrations are also quite charming. Read more
Published on July 10 2002 by Laura LaVelle
5.0 out of 5 stars
A moral story for people of all ages
I love this book. I haven't read a children's book since I was 10, but I think this is a book that is in fact life changing. Here is an excerpt. Read more
Published on April 30 2002
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