Even Steven: A Book About Sharing

by Carrie Finison, Daniel Wiseman (Illustrator)

A lighthearted, humorous picture book from the author/illustrator duo behind Don’t Hug Doug about a boy who wants everything to be perfectly even.

Say hello to Steven. Steven likes to share! He knows the best way to share something is to split it in half. It’s fun! It’s fair! And it’s EVEN.

But some things aren't so easy to split in half . . . Like a nickel. Or a book. Or a slide. Sometimes taking turns is better. Or giving one of something to each person. Steven likes these options because they're fun, and fair, and still EVEN!

But...can some things be even, but not fair? Can some things be fair, but not even? Steven isn't so sure, and he'll need YOUR help to figure it out!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Mathematics, Storytime, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 14, 2026

About the author

Carrie Finison began her literary career at the age of seven with an idea, a box of markers, and her father’s typewriter. She has been writing off and on ever since, though she has (somewhat regretfully) traded in the typewriter for a laptop. Her picture books include DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, illustrated by Brianne Farley (Putnam, 2020) - a Junior Library Guild selection; DON'T HUG DOUG, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (Putnam, 2021) - an ALA Notable Children's Book; LULU & ZOEY: A SISTER STORY, illustrated by Brittany Jackson (Running Press Kids, 2022); HURRY, LITTLE TORTOISE, TIME FOR SCHOOL, illustrated by Erin Kraan (Random House Studio, 2022). Her latest picture book is PIGS DIG A ROAD (Putnam, 2024) She lives outside Boston with her husband, son, daughter, and two cats who permit her to write in their cozy attic office. Find her online at http://www.carriefinison.com or on Instagram @CarrieFinson. Subscribe to her occasional newsletter for events, giveaways and more: http://www.carriefinison.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Alayne Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through humorous trial and error, Steven strives to always be fun, fair, and even. But his efforts, or should I say errors, periodically leave the reader giggling and his friends shouting, “STOP STEVEN!” in unison. All along the way, Steven learns more ways that things can be fun, fair, and even. And maybe sometimes just plain fun is good enough. In typical Carrie Finison style, the text moves the story forward effortlessly. It is clever, fun, rhythmic, silly, and thought provoking. Daniel Wiseman’s illustrations add even more humor to the story that strongly enhance the absurdity of some of poor Steven’s misguided attempts to be fun, fair, and even. Engaging and entertaining while also demonstrating the many ways one might share and be fair, and even have fun.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny book about all the ways we can share with others.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the clever creators of Don’t Hug Doug, this funny and thought-provoking book gives kids a fantastic new way to think about sharing, fairness, and sensible compromise. Steven loves to split everything perfectly to keep things even, but he quickly lands in hilarious situations when he realizes that making things equal is not always straightforward. Perfect for an interactive one-on-one or group read-aloud, it keeps young listeners engaged from start to finish and even challenges readers at the end to come up with their own creative solutions.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow-up to the popular Don't Hug Doug! As a teacher, equality, equity, and inclusion are always frequent topics of conversation among staff, and Even Steven is a GREAT way to introduce the concepts to younger students. Using humor and heart in both the text and the illustrations, the book explores the question "Is even always the best way to share? And is 'even' always fair?" Highly recommended for classroom use and to negotiate those tricky sharing conflicts with elementary-aged students.

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVEN STEVEN is so cute and clever! Written with lots of humor and charm, this book covers many different cases where the main character would like things to be shared or experienced in an even way, all the time. But it also aptly addresses instances where things don't necessarily need to be divvied up and there is no problem with that at all. Love all the even-keeled perspectives presented in EVEN STEVEN. Very much recommended!

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a brilliant book! Every teacher and family will want to read it to their littles to discuss ways of sharing. Loved it!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even Steven: A Book About Sharing is a playful and thoughtful picture book that explores the difference between fairness and equality in a way young readers can understand.

Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman create a humorous and engaging story centered on Steven, whose desire to make everything perfectly even leads to a series of relatable situations. As the story unfolds, it gently challenges his perspective and invites readers to think more deeply about what it really means to share.

What stands out most is its interactive quality. The book encourages readers to participate in the decision-making process, making it both educational and engaging.

Fun, insightful, and cleverly constructed, Even Steven is a strong addition to any collection focused on social-emotional learning and early childhood development.

[Inbal Alon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even Steven is an absolute delight from start to finish. The story is playful and clever, with a rhythm that makes it a joy to read aloud, and the characters feel instantly relatable to kids who are still figuring out fairness, sharing, and big feelings. The humor lands perfectly, and the illustrations add so much charm and expression to every moment.

What I love most is how the book gently opens the door to conversations about empathy and perspective without ever feeling heavy. It’s warm, funny, and emotionally honest in all the right ways. A fantastic addition to any home, classroom, or school library.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

ST about sharing/emotions or for older kids. A great description of all the ways we can share, and try and make things even and fair. but as the book shows sometimes things can be fair, but not even. And sometimes we have to make things even by doing different things. I love how this book makes kids think about the ways they can share, and understand that it won't always be even in number amount. I also like the situations used to show these concepts. A great read aloud for a classroom to help them understand sharing and working out these tough concepts.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about a boy who wants everything to be shared and every shared thing to be even. Sometimes, he needs reminding that things like books, slides and lollipops aren’t so easily shared! There are all kinds of ways to share illustrated in the book—taking turns, doing something together, splitting things in halves and giving someone one of each thing (ie, everyone gets one pencil). A cute entry from the team that did “Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It),” however, I prefer “Don’t Hug Doug” to “Even Steven.”

Mia’s 3rd Year of Books: Day 158

[Kate Owensby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh we just loved this book. I love how it covers all the different ways to share. One of my favorite parts though, is pointing out that it is ok to keep things for yourself sometimes too! That’s just as important as learning how to share and I’m so glad it was included. This is a perfect gift for OTs, therapists, teachers, and any parent. My kids laughed a lot and asked to read again. Highly recommend this sweet, funny and important book!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the makers of Don’t Hug Doug, the new book Even Steven is clever, funny, and a fantastic way to introduce the concept of sharing in a kid-friendly way. Steven loves to share, so tries to split everything in half. But what about things you can’t split in half? And how do you always make things fair? And importantly, even? I have no doubt readers everywhere will love this book. Highly recommend!

[Mary Beth Sessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVEN STEVEN by Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman is a clever exploration of what it really means to share “fairly". Young Steven’s obsession with making everything perfectly even leads to some silly disasters, then gradually to deeper questions about fairness, taking turns, and working together. This picture book is great for sparking conversations about sharing, equity, and boundaries, with plenty of kid-friendly humor and interactive prompts that make it perfect for read-alouds.

[Abi Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book talks about nuances of fairness and sharing in a really fun and funny way. Steven gets into a lot of humorous situations where he realizes that making things even is not always straightforward. It's kid-friendly and thought provoking, and I liked how the book challenges readers at the end to come up with their own solutions to making things even or fair. Really fun read aloud!

[Candace Spizzirri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific title from the team of Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman! Steven wants everything to be E‑V‑E‑N: “It’s fun! It’s fair. And it’s even.” But he quickly learns that splitting everything evenly isn’t always the best way to share. Silly, funny, and completely adorable, this story will have both kids and adults laughing out loud. Wiseman’s vibrant, expressive illustrations pair perfectly with Finison’s clever text. A delightful read—highly recommended for every bookshelf.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an interesting book on sharing! I hope it works in read aloud as much as I think it will. Steven wants to split all things evenly. His classmates help him to understand when things should not be halved and when there are other solutions that may work better. A bit of a connection with even, equal, sharing, fairness, and working through problems with solutions that work for everyone. Illustrations are cute, especially when the classmates yell, "Stop Steven!"

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is found on youtube channel, Even Steven #readaloud #sharing #kidsbooks Story time with Tia Grisel.

This book was suggested for the 2026 classroom.

This book is about sharing. Steven learns that not everything could shared evenly. He learns that he has to take turns. He learns to share his toys and the things in his world. From slides, to blocks not everything can be even but not be fair.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not gonna lie, I saw the subtitle “A Book About Sharing” and wasn’t super jazzed at the didactic setup of the book right off the bat. But I clearly judged this book too harshly because it is hilarious and will make for a fantastic read aloud with a class full of pre-k, kindergarten, or first graders.

[Jennifer Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a brilliant way to teach kids about sharing - and particularly about the difference between equal and fair. I've been trying to get my two young boys to understand that one for awhile now and reading this may have done the trick! It's very funny and very easy for kids to understand. Loved it!

[Diane Mittler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fun and highly enjoyable. A must-have for every preschool and elementary classroom. With sharing as the underlying premise, this book will be a great jumping off point for discussions of the concepts of fairness, things being even as well as fractions!
Created by the dynamic duo of author Carrie Finison and illustrator Daniel Wiseman.

[PB FAIRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much fun!!! Steven loves things to be even, but sharing can be tricky! There are so many ways to do it! Do you cut things in half? Give everybody one? Take turns? Steven learns that HOW we share depends on what we share in this witty, very funny picture book. Every bookshelf needs a copy!

[Carol Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVEN STEVEN is a clever, funny book that will have readers laughing out loud. Steven gets himself into unexpected and hilarious situations as he tries to divide everything evenly. I love his friends’ reactions to his odd ideas. This never feels like a lesson—it’s just fun! The cute illustrations are perfect for the story. I loved it!

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, there is so much goodness about sharing in Even Steven: A Book About Sharing! There are so many ways to share and make things even, and this picture book does a fantastic job of keeping it kid friendly and understandable. Just right for preschool and elementary school classrooms. And at home, of course. Perfectly paired text and illustrations. Two thumbs up (to keep it even).

[Patricia Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book about the different ways we can share. Steven discovers that sometimes the same strategy doesn't always work, but luckily he has help from his friends! Another marvelous Carrie Finison book for your child's shelf. Daniel Wiseman's illustrations pop! Be sure to check out his dedication at the end of the book, too.

[Ricki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book about how sharing doesn't (and shouldn't) always be even. This would be a great book to use to teach about the differences between equality and equity. Steven likes all of his sharing to be even, but he comes to realize that not all things can be evenly split!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy who spends time sharing everything he has evenly and making things even and fair. And telling the reader the difference between even sharing and things that cannot be shared evenly. But some things cannot be shared evenly and telling the difference.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven loves to share and keep things even. But he quickly learns from his classmates that some things should not be split in half, like books; some things should not be shared at all, like a toothbrush.

A humorous story about sharing and taking turns.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Carrie Finison
Title: Even Steven: A Book About Sharing
Publication date: 2026
Category: Concept book
Brief Annotation: Steven as well as young readers will learn about how to share, including how some things are good just to keep for yourself.
Themes: Sharing, fairness, humor
Ways to use this book with children: A solid social-emotional book that can be good for maybe Kindergarten and 1st grade. It could also be used in the form of math class in sense of evenness.
Diversity: Illustrations show a variety of skin tones.
Where/how you found the book: Searching for what is new at my public library

[Heidi Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Carrie Finison, and this fantastic new picture book does not disappoint! EVEN STEVEN has a fun premise, lots of humor, and absolutely adorable illustrations. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

[Jen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives kids a new way to think about sharing - what is fairness and what are some sensible sharing strategies that will, hopefully, please everyone. Some caregivers might opt to turn it into a fun, highly interactive and educational read perfect for either one-on-one or group settings.