Pie Is for Sharing

by Stephanie Ledyard, Jason Chin (Illustrator)

Pie Is for Sharing is a gorgeously illustrated ode to sharing by debut author Stephanie Ledyard and acclaimed artist Jason Chin.

Genres: Picture Books, Summer, Friendship, Childrens, Family, Storytime, Food

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2018

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight! I adored this sweet book that is so full of the joys of summer and friendship and sharing. I love the idea of staring with sharing pie and spreading out to sharing books, balls, a tree ("A tree is always shared..." [group of children climbing trees] even when you think it is yours alone" [a boy reading in the tree with a bird in a nest above him]) to sharing time, sharing friends (even when it is hard sometimes to share them), sharing a hug and a story about what happened if you are hurt... and it circles back around to sharing pie at the end. The backdrop is a group of people (family and friends) enjoying a 4th of July at the lake, culminating in fireworks. The illustrations are wonderful and portray diversity in the people. Love this!

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pie is for sharing, the narrator of this engaging new summertime picture-book informs us, going on to list the many things - all activities or treats associated with a Fourth of July picnic - that can be shared as well. From sharing a tree to sharing a story, sharing the beach and a sun-warmed blanket, almost everything, it seems, is made to be experienced in common with our friends and neighbors. Especially during a community celebration like the Fourth...

I enjoyed Pie is for Sharing, which marks author Stephanie Parsley Ledyard's debut, and which captures all the fun and excitement of a community celebration and seashore (or lakeside?) picnic. The watercolor artwork by Jason Chin, who was awarded a Caldecott Honor earlier this year (2018) for his marvelous Grand Canyon , is absolutely lovely. I enjoy Chin's works of picture-book natural history, but I also like the more human, communal vision that he presents here. Recommended to fellow Jason Chin fans, to anyone looking for stories about sharing, about summertime picnics, and/or about the celebration of the Fourth of July.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

No matter how many books are written about the need to share most humans are still going to struggle, at least a bit, with selfishness. Therefore, the story here is nothing you haven't heard or read before and, more than likely, kids will also be well acquainted with the subject. Well, "A" for effort, right? Since the story lacks originality it is the illustrations that edge this one into the favorable category. Sporting a rather Americana feel it is sure to make an appearance on library and bookstore Independence Day displays.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books like this that share a message in the text but also tell a parallel story through the illustrations. Jason Chin is a masterful illustrator and I can never get enough of his imaginative, intricate, and thoughtful images. I particularly loved the little girl and her dog, usually in the background, but then featured in the story.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Pie Is For Sharing, written by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard and illustrated by Jason Chin, a sweet story about friendship, community, and the simple joys of summer.

Following a gathering of families for a day at the lakeside, the text begins with the titular sentiment: “pie is for sharing.” It starts as a round thing, but it can then be cut into as many pieces as you need, so everyone can have a slice. Lots of other things are for sharing, too: books, toy boats, music, stories, climbing trees, hugs – there are so many things you can share with the people around you, and the people you care about. Night breezes, berries, the last slice of homemade bread, and fireworks – these are made for sharing too. “Just like pie.”

At first, this can be read as a simple ode to summer – swimming, picnicking, playing in the sand with friends, enjoying a fireworks show as a community. The art certainly captures the joyful, carefree atmosphere of children in summertime, creating a lovely sense of nostalgia on every page. But not far beneath the surface appeal, there is a fantastic message about community and diversity to be found. The gathered families are a rainbow of skintones and ethnicities, they and their children joining together in eating a meal, playing, and sharing. With this, it becomes a story about sharing our world, our neighborhood, and ourselves with others, and experiencing the happiness that doing so brings. Otherwise, the length is great, and JJ loved the detailed, cheerful illustrations. This is a warm summer’s day of a book: relaxing, bright, and leaving the reader with a sense of comforting hope. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Alex Baugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family of four gets on their bikes to join a diverse group friends and neighbors gathering at a riverside park. It's the Fourth of July, and the perfect day for a picnic. Each family brings something special, contributing food to share with each other in the best spirit of pot luck. And while fun is definitely on the menu, so is the concept of sharing. Kids learn that not only is a yummy pie for sharing, cut into almost as many pieces as you may wish, but books, balls, trees, jump ropes, a jump rope rhyme and so much more are also for sharing. An ideal day of sharing fun and games, of eating, swimming, singing, even sharing a faithful dog culminates in an evening of sharing a blanket to watch fireworks. While the idea of sharing runs through each page, this gentle story never gets preachy or overbearing in making its point. And Jason Chins subtle but powerful watercolor and gouache illustrations only add the enjoyment of seeing how pleasurable life can be. What else is for sharing? This beautiful picture book is definitely one you will want to share with your young readers.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: Toddler+
Holiday: Fourth of July

Just like pie, many things are for sharing: a book, a ball, a tree, too. The list goes on accompanied with intricate drawings of a group of children as they enjoy a summer day. One-two short sentences per page make this perfect for the young kids but detailed illustrations cater to all ages as they explore the various ways we can share. Simple yet extremely effective.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book on all the things that are good for sharing. I especially liked this reminder (as I teach school and sometimes feel pressured to "get things done" and don't feel like there is time for listening to their stories): "If you are hurt, it helps to share a hug, and some bandages, and the story about what happened."

Lovely illustrations!!!

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course pie is for sharing and there is so much more to share in this book! Excellent rhyming text and beautifully illustrated!

[Chance Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about sharing. The text is warm and sensitive without being overly sappy or sentimental. Illustrations are well-detailed and portray a diverse assortment of kids. And I do like pie.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, simple story of going to the beach and the appreciations of sharing among friends.

[Rebekah Pringle Yamada · Rating 5 out of 5]

So simple and yet so profound with illustrations that capture even more than the words. Especially love the interracial cousins.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a fourth of July books without saying it's the fourth of July. We read it for pie day.

2025 storytime theme: Pie

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Susannah Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, sweet, and heartfelt.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for Librarian Book Group
Family and friends spend an idyllic Independence Day holiday by the local lake. The illustrations are gorgeous, there are many things for sharing and I loved the different ways the kids played together. I want to live in this book.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not what I expected it to be from the title/cover; it was so much more. It's a lovely book, with flowing text and beautiful illustrations, telling a story about sharing (through both) in a warm fuzzies kind of way.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join a family on their Fourth of July celebration at the lake, complete with pie for everyone to share. There are other things that are perfect for sharing too, like a book, a ball and a tree. How about sharing a jump rope and a rhyme to skip by? As the book progresses, more and more children play together along the shore and even more things are shared. There are stick and stones, boats and water, stories, hugs and hideouts. And in the end, fireworks and another slice of pie!

This Fourth of July book truly looks at the holiday through the eyes of a child. It is lit by sparklers and fireworks as evening comes, but the day itself is brightened by all of the time spent as a family and a community. New friends are made; old friendships are strengthened. The illustrations are particularly lovely. They use child-height perspectives as well as other inventive ones to really see the holiday from a little-one’s point of view. The illustrations are realistic, sun filled and pure summer on a page.

Share this one any day of the year! Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession: my first instinct was to roll my eyes and move on. In a pile of new picture books, this one looked like the teachy/preachy kind that's just too treacly to enjoy. But then I saw Jason Chin's name on the cover, frowned in puzzlement because I trust him not to do the teachy/preachy kinds of books, and cracked it open for a quick skim.

And I was oh so very wrong. Families gather for a day at the beach, with food, games, stories, and entertainment. Jason's illustrations are spot-on, feeling like real life with an extra bit of love and humanity. The story? Sweet, but always on the side of good writing.

"Pie is for sharing.
It starts out whole and round. Then ...
you can slice it into as many pieces as you wish.

Almost."

Other things good for sharing, according to this story: trees, sun-warmed towels, stones from your pocket, cousins, hideouts, and the last piece of homemade bread. I'm in full agreement.

You might think that you've already read every book about sharing, but give this one a chance.

[Buku Arutala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is highly recommended to your children to learn how to share. They will learn the concept of sharing is like giving a piece of pie. They can’t eat the whole pie by themselves because it’s too large, so they have to share it. When they give it to others, they haven’t only shared the happiness, but also, they know how to be grateful and content with your own.
This book shows that sharing is not always giving your stuff or goods. You can spend your time with your love ones. You can also tell your story to your family dan friends. It’s simple but it’s most precious shared you can do. Giving your back to someone who really need a help is a kind of sharing you should do anytime.

Well written by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard and the pretty awesome illustrations by Jason Chin, will build many concepts of sharing for your children. Sharing doesn’t mean you give more and lost anything, but you will get so much more. Nothing in this world is only belongs to you, even we live in the same clear sky and enjoy the warmth of the same sun.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends and family, people, celebrate for any number of reasons. None of these gatherings to observe something spectacular or the simple joy of another day, month, year or life well-lived are complete without food, especially dessert. Said to be the most traditional American dessert pies have been historically documented throughout the world for centuries. Most people will agree, there is nothing quite so savory as a fresh-baked straight-from-the-oven pie.

Sometimes the first slice of pie is a bit tricky to cut and serve but the lucky recipient is certain to be happy whether it comes out whole or in pieces. Pie Is for Sharing (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, May 5, 2018) written by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard with illustrations by Jason Chin takes readers to a sunny summer day in a park near the beach. Children (and their parents) are making lasting memories.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pie is for Sharing by Stephanie Ledyard, illustrated by Jason Chin. PICTURE BOOK. Macmillan (Roaring Brook Press), 2018. $18. 9781626725621

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Join a group of boys and girls on a summer day as they discover that there are some things that are easy to share and may be not so easy to share. A pie can be sliced and shared. A tree can be shared. Hard to share: a best friend.

I love the colorful illustrations that begin at the start of day and end with darkness and fireworks. A book that shows sharing can happen anywhere with anyone and anything.

Diann, Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fourth of July picnic is the perfect setting for a book about pie and sharing. The sharing starts with pie, and continues with books, balls, trees, and even time or a song. Some things are easy to share, while others are not. All the while, you can follow the activities of the children at the picnic. (One particularly unlucky little blond gets there too late for pie, buries herself in sand, and eventually gets left behind, trips trying to catch up and scrapes her knee, but is promptly hugged and taken care of by her older brother and the other children.) Lots of things to look at on each page, nice text, and idyllic, realistic illustrations.

[Jared White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about all the things you can share, from pie to cousins to time together. There are hints that this is a 4th of July book (a flag at the beginning, the colors of plates at the picnic, fireworks at the end) but, especially since various celebrations throughout the summer incorporate fireworks, it could just as easily be a celebration of summer.

There are many wonderful examples of outdoor activities (jump rope, climbing trees, playing ball, reading, etc.). Within the illustrations, there is great racial diversity. Overall the text and the illustrations complement each other wonderfully.

[Jessie Oliveros · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title is so appropriate because reading this book feels as comforting, familiar, and warm as a slice of pie. It's like coming home. I adore Jason Chin's illustrations. They are so real-to-life and nostalgic, almost Norman Rockwell-ish. And the circular narrative that begins and ends with a slice of pie is perfect. The message is poignant and important--that this life is meant to be shared and enjoyed. I love the diversity of the book's cast. This book is an ode to America and shared holidays. Each page turn will fill your soul a little bit more.

[Jen Betton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another visually stunning book from Jason Chin (who I've been a fan of for a long time), with sparse but perfect text by Stephanie Parlsey Ledyard. The story starts and ends with pie, and explores all the different things you can share together as a family and their friends spend a day picnicking for the fourth of July. The day progresses naturally, following the posse of children while they play - and share - their towels, time, a tree... it's just a beautiful story. The spread of the tree-climbing just blew me away. Gorgeous in every way.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might think this is a book about cutting pie into enough pieces, but it really is about scooting over to make enough room for all to share in the things we have/do/experience in this wide world we inhabit. In gorgeous and realistic pages illustrated by Jason Chin, Stephanie Parsley Ledyard uses just enough words to celebrate that "pie" and everything else, like band-aids, sun-warmed beach towels, jump ropes, and trees, are indeed for sharing. It would be wonderful fun to read and enjoy this with a group of young

[Hollowell Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join an active family of four, throughout the day, as they gather with friends on a picnic. The sparse, soothing text is reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's words in Goodnight Moon, and the illustrations delight over and over.

Illustrator Jason Chin has an eye for detail, shadows, and light. There is delight in children's body language and on their faces in his mixed-media illustrations. He uses a soft palette of greens and golds. The book celebrates multiculturalism, the great outdoors ... and cherry pie.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story about sharing. It’s not a book a child will pick up on his or her own, but would be really useful for teachers to read to their students. A family joins other families for a 4th of July picnic, and encounters many sharing opportunities such as pie, books, beach blankets, and even band aids. The illustrations of multicultural neighbors coming together for a picnic are outstanding , and made me want to be at that neighbor picnic too.

[Debrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, rambling, illustrated wander through a list of things that are for sharing -- pie, trees, breezes, balls, hugs, rhymes, your place in the middle of the jump rope (and a few that are hard to share, like your four-footed best friend). Shows a multicultural, multi-family cast sharing a 4th of July Picnic. Served with a happy flavor of carefree summertime, and the notion implicit throughout that this country, also, is for sharing.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations in this beautiful lyrical story about the joys of sharing (time, food, fun, etc.) with friends and loved ones. I feel this book seems incredibly patriotic and perfect for July 4th, or a summer time read. It's not a storytime book, but it is a great one to read with my kiddos snuggled up on the couch.

I don't think it's a great read aloud, but a school teacher could possibly find a way to use this book in a writing lesson.