I am sad to say that My Life Begins! is probably going to be the last book by Patricia MacLachlan we will have. Unless, she had things in the works that will come out after August 2022 (when My Life Begins! comes out). But either way, this book does not disappoint.
It is an adorable book about siblings without the drama. It is an adorable book about finding who you are not only to yourself but to others. It is a cozy (short) story about Jacob and the Trips (his three triplet sisters). Told from the point of view of Jacob, he wanted a litter of puppies, not siblings (I feel ya, Jacob, I wanted chocolate cookies), but he learns through his school project they are not “dolls” or “the girls” or even “the Trips” they are three unique people.
Part of the adult me felt “awe that’s sweet,” while the other adult part was “oh boy that was WAAAAY too sugary sweet, I have cavities.” But the kid me was, “I like this book.” There is nothing bad such no emergency trips to hospitals, or fighting with friends, no sibling jealousy. It is “grandmother approved” and bookseller/reader/kid-at-heart recommended. Can be read to any age, but ages six to eight probably best readers.
There are a few illustrations that highlight certain points and important events. They are nice, simple drawings. They are cozy and fit the tone of the book perfectly. My copy is a readers copy, so I would like to see how the finished product looks, but I am assuming they will be black and white with the old-fashioned-old-school sentiment that is also MacLachlan’s style.