Martha doesn't share!

Martha Doesn't... #2

by Samantha Berger

Martha has a new favorite word.And that word is MINE! Martha has officially mastered apologizing. Unfortunately, she still has a lot to work on when it comes to sharing. And while she doesn't learn to love it, she does discover that having her toys to herself means having to play with them all by herself, too. Not so fun! This hilarious follow-up to Martha doesn't say sorry! shows readers that sharing isn't all that bad when you take it one (small) toy at a time--like Martha does. It gets easier every day. Well, almost every day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Storytime

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 7, 2010

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece, nephew, and I really liked this book. The kids found this book to be funny and riveting, and over the weekend they both made references to this book several times in their play and interactions with one another. This book was read, understood, and put into practice immediately! Just great!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute, but the only way it would work in read-aloud for me is to ham up how horrible Martha is at the beginning. If we really amp up her selfishness, it could be funny, but read straight I think it's a turn off. Still, she ends up doing the right thing later (sharing) and the pictures are sweet.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I said with her previous book, Berger's stuff is SLIGHTLY better than the "Berenstain Bears", but only slightly.
If you insist on bibilotherapy (and good luck on that), go for "Will Sheila Share?" which is a much more realistic tale of toddlerdom.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharing. Something we often want others to do with us and something we sometimes struggle to do. This is a fabulous book that explores the concept and consequences of sharing or not sharing.

**Talking points - What things are easy for you to share and what things are hard for you to share?
Why? What people are easy to share with and what people are hard to share with? Why?

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

My almost 3 year old granddaughter spotted this on a library shelf and wanted to check it out. Loved the lesson about sharing, and the message seemed to hit home to my granddaughter. She laughed at how outrageous Martha was being at the beginning and liked that she “became nice and learned to share” (her words) by the end.

[Amy Lafleur Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha's favorite word is "mine." She doesn't like to share anything. Berger tells the story through repetition of sentence structure and simple illustrations as Martha learns that it's not so fun not to share. This cute book models sharing behavior for young readers.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes as a parent you have to let your child suffer the negative consequences of a behavior for them to learn to change. This book was an excellent example of that as Martha learned how lonely it can be not to share.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

A child learns to share her beloved toys with her little brother, bit by bit. This will be a relatable/necessary story for tots, but not much here for older audiences.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story to read and discuss sharing. Cute illustrations throughout. Highly recommended for Grades K-2.

[Kristin]

1. Opening: I will bring two students to the front of the room to role play what it looks like when someone doesn't share and we will discuss what is wrong with this picture. Next, I will bring two students to the front of the room to role play what it looks like when two students do share. I will ask students to think about how the student felt in the first scenario when his/her classmate wouldn't share.
The other day we read about llama llama sharing his toys with a neighbor. When llama llama share his toys he made a new friend. Today, we are going to read about Martha. Looking at the cover do you think Martha likes to share or doesn't like to share? Your right, she doesn't like to share. In fact, the title of this book is Martha Doesn't Share. Remind me...what is the special title we give to the person who write a book? Good - author. The author of this book is Samantha Berger. What might happen if Martha doesn't share her toys? Example answers: she may hurt others feelings or she might not have anyone to play with. Let's read on to see if our predictions are correct.
2.Opening Moves: Ask children to make connections to a previously read text. Prompt predictions based on the title. Lay groundwork for helping children understand the theme. Raise questions in the readers' minds.
3. I chose this book because it is in line with the text set theme-sharing. This book illustrates what can happen when children are unwilling to share. I think it is important for students to understand that if they are unwilling to share others aren't going to want to play or be around them. Many games and activities require more than one person and if you can't share with others you will have to do things alone.
4.(2010, October 1). Horn Book Magazine.
http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#

[Carole P. Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Doesn't Share! is a delightful book about an adorable otter named Martha who needs tweaking with her social skills. It seems her most favorite word is "Mine".

When baby brother Edwin asks to play with her toys, she quite emphatically tells him, they are hers and hers alone. Mom and Dad Otter urge Martha to take turns, but Martha stubbornly reminds everyone that the toys belong to her and she goes off to play by herself. While performing magic tricks is fun, it's not as enjoyable without an audience. She realizes the "it's hard to ping when you don't have someone to pong." Martha discovers that her toys by themselves cannot bring her the fun and enjoyment she expects. Martha learns that by sharing, she is guaranteed a playmate and finds an amusing solution to her problem. Loved the ending. It reminded me of a similar outcome when my own baby brother and I learned to share.

Cute illustrations, warm colors and an enjoyable read all the way around.

[Jesse Klausmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Martha Doesn't Share!" and its prequel, "Martha Doesn't Say Sorry!" are absolutely wonderful! Spoiler alert: Martha does learn to share (and to say sorry) but she does so on her own. When Martha's baby brother wants to play with her scooter, she says no. Martha's parents suggest that she take turns with her baby brother, but Martha doesn't particularly like to take turns, so she scoots away. At this point, no one tells her what to do, forces her to share, or takes away her toys to punish her. Martha decides to share ON HER OWN. Samantha Berger's writing is surprising, funny, and delivers an honest portrayal of familiar childhood trials. Bruce Whatley's illustrations capture little Martha's hoarding, and are a wonderful compliment and addition to the text. Very highly recommend.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little otter is still working on her social skills. Reluctantly. Only when the rest of her family decides to have fun without her or her possessions, does she realize how important it is to learn to share. She is solidly outdone by her toddler brother who is much quicker to give Martha a go on his trampoline. I love how the parents quietly and deliberately show Martha how lonely she will be when she refuses to share. There are no angry words spoken, no raised voices - they just leave Martha behind with all her stuff. Then Mom, Dad, and brother Edwin head off to have fun together.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Doesn't Share- Author: Samantha Berger Illustrator: Bruce Whatley

This book is about a little girl, named Martha, who favorite word is "mine." She likes to say that everything is her and doesn't like to share any of her things. She soon realizes that if she doesn't share her things it is not much playing by herself. Her baby brother shares his trampoline with Martha and she shares her toys with him.

The content of this book focuses on sharing.

This book can be utilized when there are children in the classroom who are having a hard time sharing with their friends.

[Nancy Jo Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Martha books are very well illustrated and entertaining to kids. I dislike using books to try and teach kids things about life because I don't hink that works.

I do, however, think that children like to read about things that happen to them and that they go through. That being said, what child doesn't experience problems with learning to and continually being gracious about sharing?

A fun read and kids will like it.

[Deanna Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would definitely read this to my class where are coming up with classroom rules or to simply discuss the importance of sharing in our classroom. In this story, children are able to see the affects of not being able to share can have on them. This is also written and illustrated by children and that is so powerful to let students see children writing!

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was perfect for my almost 2-year old who is, like Martha, in a stage of "I DO NOT SHARE" and "MINE".
She gets this book! What she gets about it though is the word "MINE." I was hoping that Martha changing to reconsider her selfishness would come through. I am unsure about that part.
Cute pictures, simple concept if universal. Loved it.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one wasn't my storytime choice. I loved Samantha Berger's Crankenstein for monster storytime, but this one was not a great read-aloud and it's a bit too much of a morality play for my taste. I prefer my storytime books to have a fun story with some good repetition. This might be better read one-on-one if parents want to get the "sharing" message across. Love the illustrations, though!

[Meg McGregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any caregiver knows that their child or charge will go through the "mine" stage at least once in their childhood. More often they will go through it more than once.

This book is great to read to little ones, and big ones too, who are having problems sharing. Wonderful pictures and cute text make the "mine" experience a little easier to take.

[Jess Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all in this one. Martha figures out pretty quickly that if she doesn't share her things, she'll have no one to play with. It shouts its point pretty loudly, but I don't think it handles the issue of sharing poorly, either.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like this is the book everyone is referring to when people say that adventure doesn't fly in today's children's books because they're all over-the-top proper. That's obviously not true, but then there are books like this. Boring-as-hell, message-driven books.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice sharing storyline without preaching. Good pictures, large and clear for sharing with large group of toddlers.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hit at storytime today.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute book that parents of non-sharers will be pulling off the shelves to whisk home. The art is charming.

[Lindsay]

siblings, sharing, manners

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story preschoolers are sure to appreciate. A good book to pair this with is Helen Lester's Me First!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure what kind of animal Martha is, but she is really cute : )

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha doesn't like to share her toys with Edwin...but eventually when her little brother Edwin doesn't want to play with her, she decides sharing is worth it. Cute story to learn about sharing.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is as charming as "Martha Doesn't Say Sorry". I think it's the little brother that really gets me smiling. Obviously message-based, but not too preachy. Cute.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done story about sharing.