10. Mine!

Mine! A Story of Not Sharing. Klara Persson. Translated by Nichola Smalley. Illustrated by Charlotte Ramel. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: "Nico's coming to play today," says Mom. "He can't play with the squirrel," Sally says. "It's mine." "Let's put the squirrel in the wardrobe," says Mom. "You can play with it later, when Nico's gone home." 

Premise/plot: And so it begins....Sally begins tossing anything and everything into the wardrobe so that her play date, Nico, cannot play with it. The situation really gets out of hand...she even puts in HER toilet. Will Sally ever learn to share?

My thoughts: This picture book was originally published in Sweden. I want to say two things. First, I enjoy the humorous story line. I do. I think it's silly and over-the-top. I think it's relatable, to a certain degree. I think there's lessons to be learned, if you so desire. Second, I really do not like at all in any way the illustrations. They are just not for me. So I am conflicted on if I like this one...or not. I know I don't love it. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

1. Two for Me, One For You

Two for Me, One For You. Jorg Muhle. 2019. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture Book]

First sentence: On her way home, Bear found three mushrooms.

Premise/plot: Bear and Weasel both love, love, love mushrooms. So when Bear brings three mushrooms home, both are excited—but not excited to share. Bear thinks she should get two mushrooms since she found them. Weasel thinks he should get two mushrooms because he cooked them. Will these two friends stay friends if they can’t agree on what’s fair?!?!

My thoughts: This one was recently translated into English. I am not sure if many little ones would understand why anyone would fight over mushrooms!!! But all ages can relate to conflicts and fights over sharing and what is “fair”.

I love, love, love mushrooms. I do. I have had many many many conflicts over dividing up mushrooms fairly. I feel I have lived out this one! I think this story would get two thumbs up from any hobbit!!!

Text: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Total:10/10 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mine!

Mine! Sue Heap. 2014. Candlewick Press. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Once there was a little girl named Amy. She loved her blankie very much. "Mine," she said. "My blankie. Mine." Amy also loved her bear, her bunny, and her bird. "Mine," said Amy.

Premise/plot: It was a perfectly perfect day for Amy until....Zack and Jack--the twins--wanted to play with HER bear and bunny. She might have held firm and continued to not share if her heart hadn't melted for Baby Joe who bonded with her bird.

"Bird," said a little voice. It was Baby Joe. In his hands he held Bird, all teeny, tiny, and fluffy. "Tweet!" went Bird as Baby Joe squeezed him and kissed him again and again.

Not that her heart melted all at once. Not that it didn't take effort. It did.

She gave Bird to Baby Joe. "Mine AND yours," she said.

Note she did NOT in any way shape or form GIVE the twins her bear and bunny. But she allowed them to hold them. There is a BIG distinction.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I'm going to assume that Zack and Jack and Baby Joe may be relations--brothers or cousins perhaps. The story--which occurs completely without adult intervention, adults stepping in to say 'you must share' or 'let's set a timer'--seems like it's set within the family home. Just a guess on my part. (I don't think it actually matters.)

I don't think EVERY toy--possession--has to be shared. I think some sharing of some toys should be encouraged. But by no means all, all the time. I do think asking permission is always a good idea.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Will Bear Share?

Will Bear Share? Hilary Leung. 2018. Scholastic. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Bear has a lot to give...but will she share?

Premise/plot: Will Bear Share? is an adorable board book about sharing. The text is simple, but the story is entertaining. You don't need a lot of words to tell a good story. You just need the right words and the right illustrations!

My thoughts: This book is not a 'preachy' book on how you should share every single thing all the time. Some things are for sharing; some things are NOT for sharing. It's good to share an umbrella with a friend. It is NOT good to share a toothbrush with a friend.

I love the way this story unfolds page by page. I found the story entertaining. I love the ending!!!

If there's one thing I didn't like about this one, however, it is that the pages are a little on the thin side and can stick together making it difficult to turn the pages. If you're not paying attention to the text--to the story--you can skip over some pages.

But for the most part, I really enjoyed this one!

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Ribbit Rabbit

Ribbit Rabbit. Candace Ryan. Illustrated by Mike Lowery. 2011. February 2011. Walker. 32 pages.


Frog and Bunny are best friends.
Ribbit Rabbit.
Rabbit Ribbit.
They go swimming together.
Ribbit Rabbit.
Dip it, Dab it.
They fight monsters together.
Ribbit Rabbit.
Zip it, Zap it.

I liked this one. I really liked this one. It's a playful look at friendship. At what it means to be a friend when you're young--how difficult it can be to get along, but how very important it is that you do! Frog and Bunny are the stars of this picture book. They are best friends. But their friendship is tested--at times--sometimes by little fights, sometimes by big fights. But their friendship is worth it, isn't it?

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Bears On Chairs

Bears On Chairs. Shirley Parenteau. Illustrated by David Walker. 2009. [August 2009]. Candlewick. 32 pages.

Can five friends find a way to share four chairs? Find out the answer in this cute and adorable picture book by Shirley Parenteau. In Bears On Chairs, readers learn about sharing.

Here's how it starts off,

Four small chairs
just right for bears.
Where is the bear for each small chair?

Calico Bear
sits on a chair.
He likes it there
on his one chair.

Now Fuzzy Bear
wants a chair.
She climbs up there
on the second chair.

What happens when a fifth bear, Big Brown Bear, comes along? Can Calico Bear, Fuzzy Bear, Yellow Bear, and Floppy Bear find a way to make everything work out for everybody? Or will one bear have to give up his chair?

This one is definitely a rhyming book. But that wasn't a bad thing. I know I can be hard on rhyming books now and then. Because sometimes rhyming books--especially rhyming books that are cute and adorable--can be a bit dinky in places. But I thought Bears On Chairs worked quite well. The rhyming really works. I thought it was great fun. Cute and playful. I really liked this one and am happy to recommend it.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Bobo and the New Neighbor

Page, Gail. 2008. Bobo and the New Neighbor.

For anyone who loves dogs or muffins...have I got a book for you! I loved Bobo and the New Neighbor by Gail Page. I believe that this is a follow up to the book How To Be A Good Dog. (But as my luck would have it, I haven't read the original. If it is anything like this one, I'm sure it's a great book. Note to self: find a copy and enjoy!!) Bobo loves many things, we're told, and one of the things he loves is meeting new people. So it's to his great delight when a new neighbor moves in. His owner, Mrs. Birdhead, doesn't lose much time in inviting that neighbor, a Mrs. Wrinklerump, over for tea. I won't go into all the details, but this one is funny and enjoyable and just satisfying in a grinning ear-to-ear kind of way.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers