This charming story book was originally published in 1946. I discovered it in my grade school library in 1958 and I have loved it and its companion volumes about the triplet sisters Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka ever since.

Swedish author and artist Maj Lindman created six books about the triplet sisters and also six books about triplet brothers, Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr. Using brightly colored, lively illustrations she makes a simple story perfectly capture the innocent heart of childhood.

The stories all take place in Sweden in a charming rural setting. In this story the little triplets find a stray dog and they all fall in love. Their mother sees a notice in the paper about a missing dog and the triplets are distraught to learn he must go. A cranky old farmer can't seem to get the pup to stay put, tied up to a small dog house. He keeps finding his way back to the home of the triplets. Oh, how they wish they could keep him. When Mother insists on returning him to the farmer herself a nice surprise is waiting.

The bubbling personalities of the little girls are endearing, especially when we see them interacting with an elderly person. They have a lot of fun in this story when they are learning to care for the pup. All of Maj Lindman's Triplet tales focus on the children taking responsibility. They are always seen to be co-operating with each other while obediently following their elders' advice. At the same time they seem fun-loving and exuberant.

This book, like the others in the series is mostly entertaining because of the lovely illustrations. The story is pretty basic. The books in this series are intended for the 4 to 8 years old range and could be considered "easy readers." Kids may need a little help with some of the longer words like breathlessly or probably or understand but for the most part the words are very simple. The colorful pictures are full page size and there is one picture per facing page of text so interest is easily maintained. The text is large to encourage young readers.

When I was a little girl I loved Flicka, Ricka and Dicka. I was fascinated with the idea of having sisters just like myself. It seemed almost magical to me. I didn't care what the particular stories were about but I wanted to hear every word I could get about the triplets. I was what was called a "bookish" child and took arm-loads of books home from the school library every week but Maj Lindman's wonderful triplets (both the girl set and the boy set) stuck in my memory after all these years while so many of the others have faded away. I really encourage you to share these books with kids you love.

This book was written in a simple and more gentle time than today but it so beautifully captures the essence of childhood that I think it will always be a treasure.

The other titles in the Flicka, Ricka, Dicka series are:
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Three Kittens
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Big Red Hen
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake a Cake
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the New Dotted Dresses
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and Their New Friend

Enjoy them all! Each one is a delight. ( )