Read All About It - Book Review: We Share Everything

My parents are in the habit of taking advantage of their senior discount at the local Goodwill to keep us well stocked in a variety of children's books.  A couple of months ago they grabbed us a book that became a fast favourite: We Share Everything by Robert Munsch.

Book cover image care of Scholastic

Why We Bought It
Growing up my younger brother was a big Munsch fan so anything by Munsch, whether we already have it or not is on my parents must buy list when thrift shopping.  When we get duplicates we pass them along to friends or have a spare for when the minions decide they need to sleep with and systematically destroy  a favourite story.   Munsch trends towards repetitive themes and words which the kids love repeating.  This helps them (Jack in particular) build their vocabulary.

Book Summary
Amanda and Jeremiah are used to getting their own way until they enter kindergarten and learn that being in kindergarten means that we share, "We share everything" - even pink pants (which may also explain why Jack adores this book.)

Read-Out-Loud-Ability
The verse provides an easy story to read out loud to children with many opportunities for them to "read along" to choice quotes.  Jack in particularly loves the onomatopoeia sound effects in this and any Munsch book.  Try to say BLUMPH and GAWCK without smiling, I dare you!

What Molly and Jack Think of the Book
The kids request this book daily.  We hide it sometimes because we read it so often and often trick visitors into reading it to the kids so we can get a break.

Ideal Age
I'd say this book is best suited for kids 2-5 years old.  It would be a great gift for a child who is entering pre-school or kindergarten for the first time.

What We Paid for the Book:
My parents bought this book for 99 cents.

Would Recommend for..
A classic favourite.  Good for any preschooler or kindergartner collection.

Overall Rating
5/5 - it's not Munsch's fault that Jack requests this book daily, sometimes more than once.  On another note, Jack is convinced that Munsch is my father and screams "PAPA" whenever he sees the author photo on the back of  cover.

To read my book review of Oliver Jeffers Stuck click here

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Dog Days Are Over

It's getting to be that time of the year again.  The holiday tunes are blaring at almost every store you walk into and all you want to do is sit at home and curl up with a good book and cup of tea.  Or at least that's how I feel anyway.  This is one  reasons why a key piece to my gift shopping strategy involves books: either scouring the shelves of some local used book shops or ordering via Amazon from the comfort of my own home. 

Over the next couple of weeks I'll provide some book suggestions, that I think are great, for gifts or just general enjoyment for you and the little people in your lives.

Today's theme, one near and dear to my heart, books that celebrate the Underdog!

Stay Golden Ponyboy!

The Under-Puppy - Books for Babies and Toddlers

That Is NOT a Good Idea! by Moe Williems
Momma Goose meets a very hungry Mr. Fox and agrees to go to dinner with him, despite warnings from her chicks.  Will this dinner guest be the main course?  The repetition of the story and pictures has helped in encouraging Jack to talk.


I'd Really Like to Eat A Child by Sylviane Donnio
All crocodile Achilles wants to do is eat a child, but his parents keep serving him bananas.  What happens when he comes face to face with a real little girl?  Try reading it along with a crocodile puppet or plain old oven mit to emphasize Achilles's frustrations and get extra toddler giggles.



The Paper Training Years - Books for Kids a Little Older

Booky: A Trilogy by Bernice Therman Hunter
I fell in love with Booky when it was read to me at library story time in grade three.  Booky is based on the true story of Toronto's own Bernice Therman Hunter who grew up with her struggling family during the great depression. I re-read this book a few years ago and it held up wonderfully. Unfortunately it was destroyed by the great fish tank leak of 2007.*   I can't wait to read the entire series to Molly and Jack!

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Meet Peter Hatcher, big brother to supreme trouble maker Fudge.  This is the first of a five part series that saw me through the boredom of three bouts of a childhood stomach virus.



Big Dog Little Dog - The Tweenage Years

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
A classic about greaser Ponyboy Curtis and his friends after an unfortunate rumble with the other side of the track socs (socials).  This is the book I am most likely to talk about after a few glasses of wine at a party.



To check out more of my book recommendations from a previous post click here

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*Never store a 20 gallon fish tank anywhere near your favourite books.