By sharing stories together and having conversations about the books you read, you can help young children understand the world around them. Seeing diverse experiences represented in books helps children to explore their own identities and develop empathy for others.
Sometimes being a good friend, trying new things, and working together is hard. Find books about sharing and managing conflict for young children on this list.
Not every book is available at all locations, but any title can be requested. The children’s librarian at your neighborhood library is also here to help, with suggestions for additional titles on topics of interest–or feel free to suggest some titles to us. New books are always being added to the collection. You can find more Here to Help booklists on different topics by clicking here.
When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference.
Mary and Clare do everything together at preschool, but Mary’s birthday celebration puts a strain on the girls’ friendship.
Best friends Etho and Birt love going up Sudden Hill and sitting in simple cardboard boxes imagining they are kings, soldiers, astronauts, or pirates until Shu asks to join them, and their “two-by-two rhythm” is disturbed.
Ruby has red blocks. Benji has blue blocks. But what happens when they won’t share?
Leo, upset that he has been hearing the word “no” all day, lets three words slip out that he wishes he could take back.
While planting seeds in their garden, two animals learn the value of kindness.
Illustrations and simple text suggest ways see the positive side of difficulties, from losing one’s balloon to being left with a new babysitter.
Progressively larger groups of animals try to share a limited number of scooters, cookbooks, nap mats, and underwear.
Illustrations and rhyming text urge children to use their teeth for biting food, not their friends or relatives.
Gerald must decide if he should share his ice cream before it’s too late.
When three children, Jesse, Jason, and Emma, are confronted with new classmates from different ethnic backgrounds, they strive to overcome their initial reactions, and to understand, accept, and welcome Maria, Jin, and Fatima.
Owl and Rabbit are good friends and neighbors atop a hill, but when Rabbit’s garden blocks Owl’s view of the forest Owl builds a higher house, which prevents sunlight from reaching Rabbit’s plants.
Bear has a lot to give! But will she share? Find out in this surprising book all about sharing.