Book Review Llama Llama Time to Share

This charming picture book tackles the classic preschool dilemma of learning to share with new friends. When Llama Llama's new neighbor, Nelly Gnu, comes over for a play date, he experiences the all-too-familiar reluctance to part with his favorite toys. The story thoughtfully captures the emotional arc of a young child's sharing drama, from initial hesitation to a conflict over a beloved stuffed animal, ultimately guiding little ones through these big feelings. Dewdney's signature rhyming text makes the social-emotional lesson feel like a playful, relatable story.

The book's true strength lies in its compassionate and realistic resolution, where an adult helps mediate the conflict and mend the torn toy, modeling gentle conflict resolution for children. This story is particularly valuable for toddlers and preschoolers who are just beginning to navigate peer interactions and the complex concept of ownership. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's feelings while gently steering them toward empathy and cooperation. The final message that "sharing's not so bad" lands with genuine warmth, making this an excellent tool for discussing friendship skills and emotional intelligence with the three-to-five-year-old crowd.