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The Three Boys series was written by Nan Hayden Agle in the 1950s, with some of the titles in the series co-written by Ellen Wilson. The principal author was Agle. She lived from 1905 to 2006, dying at 101 years old! She was a long-time resident of Maryland. There were eight books in all written in this series. The text of Three Boys and a Helicopter refers to adventures with a tugboat, a lighthouse, a coal mine, and a train, so it must be the fifth book in the series. It is not necessary to have read the first four to appreciate this book. The complete list of titles is: Three Boys and a Lighthouse, Three Boys and a Tugboat, Three Boys and a Mine, Three Boys and a Train, Three Boys and a Helicopter, Three Boys and the Remarkable Cow, Three Boys and Space, and Three Boys and H2O.
Plumfield Press has reprinted Three Boys and a Helicopter, using glossy white paper in a well-bound paperback format. The three boys are named Abercrombie, Benjamin, and Christopher and are identical triplets. They are being raised by their grandmother, whom they call Gran. The text is cute, saying that the only way anybody besides Gran can tell them apart is by counting the freckles on their noses – each has a different number. Their dog’s name is John Paul Jones, the humor of which a child will appreciate if they read the Plumfield Press version of the Discover Book on this American naval hero. Unlike the naval hero, the dog does not like being in water! The writing is lively, often bringing a smile. Most of all, the innocent enthusiasm of each boy shines through in all they say and do. The detailed pen and ink illustrations of the boys, Gran, and many kinds of helicopters are lovely. The text includes technical names of helicopter parts, which we learn along with the boys, so the book teaches as well as entertains.
Gran, whom they love and respect, does not want them to think about helicopters – too dangerous for her – but she agrees that they can build a non-flying model. It is very nice to see that the three boys, when confronted with the need to learn about helicopters, go to the local Centerville public library for the information that they need to build a play helicopter for themselves. They check out a picture book, an adult technical book, and a magazine, using the resources of the library as guided by the librarian. The triplets end up building a wooden helicopter that they can actually get in, very ingeniously re-purposing old junk. They even suspend their helicopter from a tree so that they get the feel of flying. They get to meet a French pilot who lands his helicopter for repairs in the field by their house, who admires their wooden helicopter. The author includes some French words, which is a nice touch in the story and exposes the child reader to a little bit of another language.
The climax of the story is a local flood, which brings danger to the little family. The heart of the book is expressed well when Gran hugs her boys and says, “With the good Lord and you boys to care for me, I’m not afraid of anything.” Rescue from the flood by their French pilot friend in his helicopter totally changes Gran’s mind about flying! I hope other titles in this delightful series can be reprinted by Plumfield Press. The reading level is elementary school, probably 2nd grade or higher.