Jacob is nine years old when his life changes.
He wants a litter of puppies. But instead his parents have a different surprise. Jacob will be an older brother soon. And there wonтАЩt be only one new baby. There will be three! When the triplets are born, Jacob thinks puppies are cuter. The babies look identical to him and he gives them a name: тАЬthe Trips.тАЭ
For a school science project, Jacob decides to study the Trips. It feels like magic as they begin to smile, talk, and grow. Slowly, he gets to know each of them. They call his mother тАЬMamaтАЭ and his father тАЬDa.тАЭ But what will they call him? One day, one of the Trips calls him тАЬJay.тАЭ
As each of the triplets become unique and more special with each day, Jacob starts to wonder if тАЬthe TripsтАЭ is still a good name for them. They arenтАЩt puppies, or a bunch of bananas, and they arenтАЩt just тАЬthe TripsтАЭ anymore. What should he call them that will show what they mean to him? Can he figure out their тАЬforever name?тАЭ And will he ever get a puppy?
Patricia MacLachlan (1938-2022) was the celebrated author of many timeless books for young readers, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. She was also the author of many beloved picture books, a number of which she cowrote with her daughter, Emily.