MotherReader

Emily’s Sharing and Caring Book, by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post, conveys the message that sharing IS a way of caring, and could be especially helpful if you have a toddler or preschooler having trouble with that concept. Could you relate your feelings without this book? Sure, but this book offers extra help bringing the message home, and in a gentle way.

I wouldn’t make the case for this title if it were one of those issue books posing as a fun storybook. But it is clearly categorized as a nonfiction book in manners, having been written by co-directors of the Emily Post Institute. You know, the etiquette people. Having a niece with some sharing... challenges, I thought the concept was handled well.

In the book, sharing is shown as a special way that the character makes others smile, which puts the focus on the reward instead of on the moral argument. That sharing gets a smile — rather than that sharing is the Right Thing To Do — seems more appropriate for a toddler or young preschooler’s stage of moral development. The illustrations by Leo Landry bring warmth to the story, as a little girl interacts with several people including a grandma, a dad, a mom and peers — brothers or friends. I also like the inclusion of a child of color on the cover.