Booktalk #13: Martha Doesn't Share

Martha Doesn't Share (Picture Book)

By Samantha Berger

Illustrated By Bruce Whatley

Except during story time!

Verdict: Familiar story but pacing and length is perfect for story times.

Age: 4 and under.  Young kids with siblings.

A stack of new books arrived at the branch and as I browsed to see if there might be anything good for story time I found this book.  Sometimes, a book just gives off a good story time book vibe.

First, Martha Doesn't Share is a catchy title to young kids and even parents.  Introducing the title is bound to turn heads.  Second, it deals with a toddler-age situation.  There is a sibling, parents, sharing, familiar household objects and the possessiveness trait that dominates toddler years.  Third, there is an appropriate amount of words and illustrative points per page leading to a perfect story length.  Some toddlers might be able to sit through Cat in the Hat-length stories but more likely they can't and won't.  Lastly, the build up to the "decision" point or resolution of the problem is obvious and should be picked up by most young children.  Great for story times.  

I've already used this book in a story time and it went over well.  This book "ain't hipster" like I might say to my brother. It's not trying to be.  It won't wow you with originality, inventiveness or sophisticated humour but it will get the job done in story time. 

 RTL2011