Sharing

by Rosemary Wells

From beloved author-illustrator Rosemary Wells comes a sweet and relatable picture book about how friends are so much better than things and what a wonderful feeling it is to share.

Every night, Charles puts his favorite things to his little doctor kit, his racing skates, his space man, his xylophone, his magic stars, his alligator, his Lionel Messi football, and his pecka-pecka chicken farm.

One day, Charles takes his toys to the park, where he meets some other kids who wants to play with him…but can Charles learn to share his favorite things?

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Juvenile, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is rather lengthy for Rosemary Wells' style.

[T K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bumper gurllllllssss 💓

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles is a contented young mouse who has two doting parents and lots of favorite toys. His parents decide it is time for Charles to learn some social skills. And that the park would be the perfect place. So Charles and his mother venture out to the park bright and early the next day. Charles drives his fire engine, loaded with his favorite toys. Charles isn't interested in joining the sliding group or the singers or jumpers. But several of the other mice are very interested in Charles and his toys! Soon Charles is sharing his favorite things and all the mice are enjoying their new friend.

It is a bit more complex than the usual share your toys story. For one thing, everyone is very nice. Charles' feelings don't get trampled on and even though the toys do get a bit of wear and tear, Charles has learned that ultimately friends are better than things. Plus there is ice cream!

A lovely Rosemary Wells book. Not quite Max and Ruby but still fun.

[Danielle Jernigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad the author was explicit that the message was, "Friends are better than things" because my takeaway was about to be, "You can buy friendship." I also took off a star because the main character shared all his many things, but miraculously he got them all back in a timely manner in good condition.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most Rosemary Wells titles are brief and to the point, this one is rather lengthy for her style. Lots of text the story begins with the parents deciding there son Charles needs to go to the park and join groups to make friends. Finally ehen the Mother Mouse leaves Charles to his own devices and friends begin to be made.


Scott County P L

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not think this book is actually teaching a good message. There is sharing and then there is being taken advantage of and this story crosses that line. We should not be teaching children that sharing for sharing's sake, no matter what is a good thing.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet, but the ending is a little too moralistic for my taste.

[Elizabeth]

Cute story, but what made it special for me is the callback to my favorite Rosemary Wells book from my childhood, Stanley and Rhoda. <3

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Max and Ruby gone woke 😩