Sharing Time =: Tiempo Para Compartir

Toddler Tools

by Elizabeth Verdick, Marieka Heinlen (Illustrations)

Sometimes it s fun to share, and sometimes it s hard. In both English and Spanish, this book offers toddlers simple choices (take turns, use it together, wait for another time) to make sharing easier, and shows them where to turn for help when sharing is difficult. Little ones learn that sharing can mean double the fun and sharing a while can make someone smile!"

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children, now ages 13 and 8, are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every time I think about sharing I remember a different book which reminded me that sharing can mean:

1. Giving something away and not getting it back (like food or stickers)
2. Using something at the same time
3. Taking turns
4. Expressing yourself

So confusing!

I asked a preschool teacher what she recommends for sharing and she said, "Get two of everything."

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a great collection of these books to be had, going back over the last several years. The script is pared back to really junior level – on the main pages, that is, not the two pages of for-adults material at the end each time. There's a sort of rhyming sensibility to many pages – and if there isn't there is an element of repetition that forces a kind of rhyme through anyway. The artist sustained her ability throughout, too, using striking fabric patterns to make her cartoonish characters a lot more detailed than otherwise expected, in a sort of broad-lined cutout style. They all get a strong four stars from me, for their competent and quick lessons.

Manners Time (ISBN 9781575423135) shows the merits of being polite and positive, from our 'hello' and 'goodbye' to saying 'sorry' when we burp or break toys.
Sharing Time (9781575423142) is to get us to share our things – and how to react properly when we're honestly told we can't share someone else's items.
Bedtime (9781575423142) is a lullaby that also gets around to telling us why we're expected to sleep properly – "I do my best growing when I'm sleeping".
On-the-Go Time (9781575423791) is all about getting ready for a day out – and some of the behaviour we should consider when in public, such as the "indoor voice".
Mealtime (9781575423661) is a simple look at a matter-of-fact success of a school lunch, where there is no drama, and everybody tries everything at least once.
Bye-Bye Time (9781575422992) reminds the kid who has had to say goodbye to the parents at the start of the school day that without it there would be no need for that lovely "hello" at the end of it.
Clean-Up Time (9781631981548) turns classroom tidies into pleasures – and classrooms into tidy pleasures at the same time, obviously.
The much newer Outdoor Time (9798885543934) shows a school break spent outside, where the right moves, activity and voice level is different to the ones allowed inside. But it should only be a simple switch on and off, anyway.
Wriggly Time (9798885548021) shows the on-and-off nature of the class physical activity session, too.

Add to those the unseen Naptime, Try-Again Time, Calm-Down Time, and Listening Time volumes, and you have a grand little shelf of very early development guides, all with – to repeat – their own spread of bespoke information for adult consideration.

NB some of the above ISBNs are for a bilingual English-Spanish edition, so double-check first. I have no connection with either creator, or the publishers, and volunteer these honest opinions based on files submitted to edelweiss.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little torn on Sharing Time. I like that it starts with sharing things like smiles, hugs, and laughs. And then it touches on some reasons we might find it hard to share. Worrying about others taking our things or worrying about others breaking them are two reasons. I like that the book acknowledges that some things are hard to share. I also like the focus on using sharing words like "may I play with that?" or "can I have a turn?". At the same time, the book does offer that sometimes the child will hear a no answer. Hearing a no answer isn't easy for children, and the younger they are, the harder it is to hear and accept. This is something that has to be taught repeatedly. In my experience, daily. The book tells the children to seek the help of an adult when someone refuses to share. Yet I didn't love the solutions the adult came up with. Well, I liked two out of the three. While some children might respond well to a timer, I don't think that's a feasible option to get the child accustomed to. I feel like that encourages the children to continue to involve the adult in their negotiation. At least until the child understands the concept of time. The book doesn't exactly support forced sharing, but setting a timer kind of is forced sharing. I encourage my children to ask if they may play with the object when the first child is finished. And then the rule in our house is that the answer is always "Yes." There's no reason why a sibling can't play with a toy when the other is finished with it.

The parent notes were almost more effective, in my opinion, than the book itself. The book is written for small children--0 to 3 years of age. So, lengthy books with elaborate situations aren't appropriate, but I also felt like much was left out of the book itself. I specifically liked the idea of parents setting up games or opportunities to either share with the child first. Regularly showing the child that if I hold something of yours and then return it everything is fine. And setting the example of sharing your food or items with the child is helpful as well. Children learn so much from simply watching their parents.

My children are 9, 7, and 4, but they still struggle with sharing. My oldest is worried about the younger two breaking her toys. My middle child tries to repossess toys that he's aged out of and hasn't cared about in many years. And my youngest feels like everything is his. So even though this book is written to younger children, it's a great lesson to constantly be re-exposing your children. Sharing Time gets 3.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Sharing Time? What did you think? Let me know!

[Daniel Barrows · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more for teaching adults how to manage sharing and possessiveness than it is for kids. This isn't a book you read for fun.

For kids, it needs more modeling and examples of responding to scenarios. The book offers general principles and teaching in the middle of rushed scenarios, so children (and even adults) will have forgotten the prior narrative conflict by the time the solution is offered. Instead of the didactic instructions given here, it would be much more effective to present a story showing a child responding to a conflict by taking deep breaths and politely asking for a turn.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple behavioral book on sharing. Three years old was a very hard time for sharing but this book helped enforce positive behaviors that I'm now incredibly grateful for in my sweet four year old boy. I am so proud to hear my son say, "May I please have a turn?” He still requests to read this book, just for fun too! Sharing is a huge life skill and this was but one resource I am so happy to have and recommend for those parents struggling with turn taking.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this not only addresses how to share, but also how to act when someone doesn't WANT to share with YOU. there's also parent tips at the end about putting away a child's special toys before company comes over, so they don't feel like they have to share them... because special things SHOULDN'T be for sharing, and that's ok!

[michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ideal for children aged 1 to 3 years old and focuses on the importance of sharing. The language is clear and straightforward, making it easy for young children to comprehend. It effectively demonstrates that sharing is a positive behavior.

I selected this book because of its vibrant colors, detailed illustrations, and engaging language.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: readers looking for a book with clear steps for dealing with issues involved with sharing (with some additional talking points for parents/caregivers in the back).

Possible red flags: being grumpy/upset; not wanting to share.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the board books in the Toddler Tools series, but I preferred a different book on Sharing fro the Learning to Get Along series by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed., which has many more examples of sharing than this one. This is still a good intro to sharing for toddlers, though!

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The content itself wasn't bad, but I didn't appreciate the fact that in the illustrations, the only ones who were willingly sharing were girls and the ones refusing to share were boys. Felt like it was really leaning into gender stereotypes, even at such an early age.

[Kimberly Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could use this book in my classroom as a way to help students conceptualize sharing and how their actions affect others. It can also be a good example of and a starting point for giving students scripts for when they need to share.

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to my 3 year old who definitely got the message. Definitely recommend.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some great developmentally-appropriate tips for caregivers on how to encourage sharing in children, and a loose narrative throughout in English and Spanish.

[Mr. Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun rhyming book to learn how to share and what to do if someone says “no” to sharing. Has helpful parental reinforcement lessons at the end.

[Eliot Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dual language board book with text in both English and Spanish, about taking turns and sharing.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to introduce concepts of sharing and what happens when your friend does not want to share with you. My 2 year old asks for it by name!

[Haaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful information about sharing time. Also points out that not everyone will say yes.

[Aarvik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book to read to young children when helping them learn to share.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great resources for teaching toddlers important skills! The illustrations are colorful and pretty to look at too.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book because we are currently having sharing issues in our house. I've figured out that forcing someone to share something only causes resentment and I wanted some ideas on solutions. I wish I could've reviewed more of the book where it says 'Click to look inside' prior to purchasing just to have a better idea of what this book would discuss. However, I'm very pleased with it!
It discusses:
Things you can share. For example smiles, laughs, and hugs.
Things that are hard to share, toys.
The Use sharing words like May I play with that? or Can I have a turn?
How sometimes a child will hear no and solutions. You can play together, take turns with a timer, or put the toy away for later. I know how much my son loves the option of choosing so I love all three of those. I usually just put the toy in "time-out'" but maybe with the other two options thrown out there as well my son will more than likely choose the first two. HOPING!
Also, feelings regarding when someone shares or does not. Helps a Toddler realize and put emotions to what they're feeling.
In the back there's also sharing tips for parents and care givers that is really helpful and encouraging. I really think this book will help tremendously and I can't wait to use it as a teaching tool. I want to purchase all the other ones now as well!

[Amber]

1 copy

[Brandielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty preachy and not sure I agreed with all the 'sharing pointers'.

[Susan S.C.C.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this board book and am looking forward to reading some of the other titles in this "Toddler Tools" series. I think the variety of topics will be helpful when trying to deal with some of my granddaughter's two and a half year old moments. The text is rhyming, the illustrations bold and colorful, and best of all, the final two pages are filled with helpful tips for parents and caregivers dealing with the different topics.