Share and Be Fair

Marilyn Deen's 'Share and Be Fair' is a straightforward and practical concept book aimed at young children navigating early social interactions. Through simple, relatable scenarios involving friends sharing food and games, the book directly addresses the often-tricky topics of fairness and sharing. It handles these concepts in a clear, non-confrontational manner, presenting positive examples rather than focusing on negative outcomes. The emotional arc is gentle and consistently hopeful, reinforcing the idea that sharing and fairness lead to positive experiences and stronger friendships. This book is specifically for children in the preschool to early elementary age range who are beginning to understand social rules, or for those struggling with the practical application of sharing and turn-taking. A parent might reach for this when their child is experiencing frequent conflicts over toys, food, or playtime, or when preparing a child for group settings like daycare or kindergarten. Parents can use the examples in the book to prompt discussions about similar situations their child might encounter. For younger children (4-6), it serves as an excellent read-aloud to introduce the vocabulary and concepts. Older children (7-8) can read it independently and use it as a springboard for more nuanced discussions about complex fairness issues. Its strength lies in its directness and simplicity, making it a foundational text for teaching these crucial social-emotional skills.