Children's Books discussion

Hi everyone, I'm looking for book recommendations with learning to share as the theme. I don't want it to feel forced though, if that makes sense. Maybe books about the joys of sharing versus a more negative consequences, bribes or threats type of attitude. Any help appreciated!

I don't know if this qualifies as a "sharing" book, but the picture book Peter in Blueberry Land deals with working collectively and shows a great sense of community.

Thanks Chandra and Gundula, even if the message is subtle I would be happy. I don't necessarily want to hit her over the head with it.

*Sigh*, I know. We have a birthday party coming up here and I am anticipating tears because I know all the kids will want to play with her toys. I know it will be overwhelming for her.

My mother always locked up most of the toys during birthday parties. It was safer, and the one time she did not, quite a few got broken.

That's a good idea you guys. Maybe we will go through her toys and just keep out what she's okay with other kids using. I thought about having it somewhere else, especially since we just moved but I don't have the energy right now to figure out where to go and organize it.

Lee, Snow In Jerusalem is about two boys in Jerusalem, one Jewish and one Muslim, who find out that they're "sharing" a cat, who goes between them.

I like the idea of Maggie being able to select some toys to hide. If she has some control, I'd think that would help a lot.

ETA: It's not that great a book, but it's all that came up when I keyed in share & sharing, even though I'm sure I have more books with the subject/theme.

Change is always traumatic. I still shudder at our big move from Germany to Canada. My parents did not really prepare us enough (although, they probably did not really know what to expect either). Funny, but they watched Westerns with us, with the result that I was expecting something like the Wild West (it's funny now, but it wasn't funny then).

Ginger is a very cute story about a new kitten disrupting Ginger cat's routine and how Ginger now has to SHARE everything with the kitten! Very cute and I know you two like cats :-)

Duck at the Door is another fun one. It's about a duck who wants to stay at a cozy house for the winter and how he disrupts things and the other animals at the house have to share with him--but in the end they grow rather fond of him

Maybe Zen Shorts but I think she might be a bit young for it yet.

I totally echo the suggestions to put away the very special toys and only have some toys out for all the children to play with. Best wishes for a great party and very HAPPY BIRTHDAY :-)

Well, to tell you the truth I was kind of happy that is was not like the Wild West, but moving was still horrible, especially going to school and not being able to understand a word that was being said. Also, I was a pretty bookish kid, so I was really really embarrassed by the fact that I could not read and that my teacher (grade four) mad a big to-do about that and gave me colouring books to pass the time. That would not happen in today's school systems, ESL has come a long way.

Abigail wrote: "I know that The Rainbow Fish addresses the issue of sharing, as a sparkly fish eventually learns that it is better to share his unusual scales, and have friends, than hoard them, and ..."

Oh, wow, some of those negative reviews are AWESOME, haha! The poem one, especially ;-)

Yay, more suggestions! Thanks you guys, I'll have to go and check out some of those negative reviews for the fish book. Sounds like fun!

Chandra wrote: "Yes, I do think it is a lot about control (as Lisa says). We really have to prep Izzy for anything out of the ordinary. The more she knows going into a situation the better she always does!"

Chandra, do you mind if I ask how old Izzy is?

I'm very intrigued by the reviews for The Rainbow Fish. I will definitely preview that one first.

Join the club, Abigail. My parents (or rather, my grandparents) said the same thing about Peter in Blueberry Land, or rather the German version thereof; I just loved the story of everyone sharing what they have and everyone working together.

Chandra, Didn't Izzy just turn 6?

Wow! I love the comments on "The Rainbow Fish". I will have to check it out. With all the various reviews, people must bring in a lot of their own perspectives to the story. It sounds like one of those books that the meaning behind the reader will decide that the child gets out of it.

I've heard it called "The Socialist Fish." I looked at it and didn't care for it, but I also don't care for Swimmy or the one about the mouse who goofs off all summer and lets the others do the heavy work. ;-)

And I am not even a conservative!

No, actually I was thinking of Frederick by Leo Lionni. It is about a mouse who enjoys the sunshine and thinks of poems and whatnot during the summer. Then during the harsh winter, he entertains the other mice with his poetry.
I know lots of people love this book, and I see the point it is trying to make, I just still had the feeling he could have pitched in a little more with the manual labor. Call me a Communist! lol

Dear Chandra,

I viewed the youtube that sent for the "Grasshopper and the Ants". I really liked that version because it showed the failure of not planning or working for the winter and also showed the compassion for the grasshopper to learn his lesson.

This is more a "new baby" book but the themes of sharing are good Rosie and Buttercup