Better Than Sharing

by James Pearce

Dino's family moved to the neighborhood a year and a half ago. Every month, on a Saturday, Dino and his friends that he has made in elementary school, get together and make up an Adventure. This month, it is the beginning of the year, all their parents are still asleep from the New Year's night before. Dino, Shelly, and Tyrone have to make their own lunch before their Adventure. As they make lunch, Shelly and Tyrone are talking about food, and Shelly learns that one of Tyrone's barents is a carnivore and the other is an herbivore. Shelly did not know this, and inevitably, they discuss the assumptions they have been taught when they find themselves face to face. Shelly talks about wanting to get rid of the spikes at the end of her tail when she gets old enough, but even Tyrone knows "if plates were enough, you wouldn't' have spikes."

Dino explains that Tyrone comes from a long line of politicians, his father is the mayor of the town, and his outspoken mother is probably the reason he won the position.

During lunch, Shelly suggests that they have a big Adventure for the new year and each friend bring their favorite toy from home and tell each other why it is their favorite. Once everyone is at the park, it is suggested that they trade toys with each other. Everyone agrees, and it seems everyone is having a great time. But towards the end of the day, problems arise. Some are upset because They know the hour is going to be close to five, and they will have to leave, and they can not take the toy they received home with them.

Dino, Shelly, and Tryrone understand the problem, but they have an idea, one that will make the problem into an even better solution, and a great day even better. BETTER THAN SHARING is the third book in the BE HOME BY FIVE series and focuses on the complexities of sharing with your friends, problem solving leading to conflict resolution when both sides of conflict are respected and considered.

Paperback

Published March 2, 2022