School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1In this beginning reader, Sam faces the common problem of not having anything to take to his "sharing time." The very simple, rhyming text describes what his classmates have brought. The boy finally solves his problem when he realizes that his little brother is the perfect choice. The class is as varied as anyone could ask for, with children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and one little girl in a wheelchair. The cartoon illustrations are appealing. The short text could be read aloud, but the format lends itself more to independent readers. Although it is not distinguished in any way, this book provides a positive solution to a familiar predicament.Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Ages 3^-6. The classic show-and-tell classroom scenario gets exuberant treatment in Lewin's big, bold cartoon drawings and Maccarone's surprising story. The examples are as interesting as the climax. Dan brings his pet, a frog named Slime. Pam, who is in a wheelchair, brings her special teddy bear. Kim brings a gold bracelet. Max brings Mexican money. Jan brings a bunny. Sam feels embarrassed that he has nothing to share: in a wild double-page spread, he looks at all the stuff in his room, but none of it seems good enough. His pesky brother wants to play bunny, but Sam pushes him away--and then he gets an idea. On Friday morning, he wheels into the classroom a covered object "as sloppy as a frog, as hoppy as a bunny," and it's Sam's little brother. Part of the First Grade Friends Hello Reader! series, this is fun for sharing and for learning to read. --Hazel Rochman
