Jan Levinson Gilman’s 2009 picture book Murphy’s Three Homes is well-intentioned but mediocre. But that may not matter.
It may not matter because of the book’s purpose, which its subtitle communicates. This is “a story for children in foster care.”
Murphy is a young dog who gets taken away from his mom because she’s an older dog, and her humans thought taking care of a litter of puppies would be too much for her.
The first home Murphy goes to is crowded: two adults, three kids, two big dogs, and a cat. Murphy’s overwhelmed and underfed there, and eventually animal control rescues him from that situation.
After some time at the shelter, where he gets more food but also stress, Murphy goes to another home. At the second home, Murphy’s slow to learn the rules, and the adults have different expectations. Murphy grows more stressed, and judges himself for not being a good dog.
Finally, Murphy moves to a third home, where he’s a much better fit for the family. However, due to his past Murphy doubts himself–and when he gets in trouble, he runs away to avoid getting sent away. His family searches for Murphy, finds him, hugs him, and brings him home, in the process convincing him of their love.
The three home structure fits well with picture books stories, and Murphy’s emotional responses to the many changes he goes through are realistic. Kathy O’Malley’s art is clear and illustrates the activities on the page very directly, even overtly.
So why do I say this book is well-intentioned but mediocre, that the quality may not matter? Because everything in the book is clearly aimed at its purpose: this book is meant to help foster kids feel better and understand that others go through what they go through. Perhaps to reassure them that they’ll be loved and will fit in eventually.
And why do I say it is mediocre? The book works so hard to make sure things are clear that it over explains. Page after page is wordy for a modern picture books, and drives the meaning home. The images are so purposeful there’s no mystery to them–and they aren’t really needed, since the words are so explicit. This is a lesson book above all.
