We Share Everything!

August 30, 1999
Munsch and Martchenko (previously paired for The Paper Bag Princess and Alligator Baby) offer a snippet of a story about two squabbling kindergartners who have trouble sharing. When Amanda won't give Jeremiah the book she's looking at, he announces he will "yell and scream"; when he makes good on his threat, she stuffs the book in his mouth. When Jeremiah later refuses to surrender his building blocks to Amanda, she kicks over the elaborate Eiffel Tower--like structure he has constructed. Martchenko's watercolors serve up exaggerated images that sometimes mimic an animated cartoon. The teacher, for example, is pictured surrounded by doves, flowers and butterflies as she flaps her arms and repeatedly gushes, "In kindergarten we share. We share everything." The kid-geared slapstick will invite snickers, but beyond those few giggles, this is forgettable fare. Ages 3-6.