Pie Is for Sharing

PreS-Gr 1--Set against the verdant backdrop of a Fourth of July picnic, this effervescent picture book extols the glories of sharing. Chin's watercolor-and-gouache paintings depict a diverse group of families gathering at a woodsy lakeside setting in order to sample treats, play games, and explore nature. A boy, his little sister, their parents, and a black lab serve as unnamed protagonists. After riding their bikes to the picnic site, the boy happily dishes out a yummy-looking lattice-topped treat: "Pie is for sharing. It starts out whole and round. Then...you can slice it into as many pieces as you wish. Almost" (the last word is paired with an image of his disappointed sister with empty plate). What else can be shared? A tree (among many children frolicking in its branches), a jump rope (and "your place in the middle"), "time" (playing on the beach), "words and music" (enthusiastically sung into a banana), and more, culminating with fireworks in the night sky. Filled with details and motion, the winsome illustrations expand upon the playful text while creating an engaging visual story line for the featured characters. Ultimately, the best thing to share is a lovely sense of community. VERDICT Young readers will enjoy being a part of this halcyon summer day of family, friendship, and fun. Perfect for a holiday storytime or for everyday sharing.--Joy Fleishhacker, Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs

A group gathers at a grassy riverfront park for leisurely Fourth of July festivities. The story begins with a focus on the pie that a family brings: "It starts out whole/ and round. Then... you can slice it/ into as many pieces/ as you wish./ Almost." But the day calls for sharing beyond pie-- "A book is for sharing./ A ball is nice for sharing, too./ And a tree?/ A tree is always shared," Ledyard writes. In watercolor and gouache, Chin illustrates scenes brushed with gentle, lemony light as realistically expressive children jump rope, splash in the water, build sand castles, and explore. At dusk, everyone settles in to enjoy a fireworks display ("And a blanket?/ A breeze?/ The sky?/ These are for sharing.") and a second berry pie. This is a visceral celebration of summertime, community, and open-ended play. Ages 2-6. Author's agent: Alexandra Penfold, Upstart Crow Literary. (May)

*This isn't a flag-waving Fourth of July story, but it can be read as a gentle yet firm call for American readers to reflect on and embrace the ideal of pluralism. An aspirational vision in which inclusivity is as American as (apple) pie.—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*There's an echo of Ruth Krauss in the sweetly quotidian take on sharing possibilities and of Liz Gar- ton Scanlon's All the World (BCCB 10/09) in the jubilant and lyrical togetherness, with an added hat-tip to classic ways of celebrating America's birthday with her twenty-first century residents.— Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

*This idyllic, joyously inclusive picture book takes an ordinary concept—sharing— and makes it extraordinary. —The Horn Book, starred review

*The best part, though, is the positive, inclusive representation of a loving community sharing a celebration, fun, and, of course, pie.—Booklist, starred review