Should I Share My Ice Cream?

PreS-Gr 2—Children will delight in this perfect drama for hot weather. Gerald is excited about his "awesome, yummy, sweet, super, great, tasty, nice, cool ice cream" cone. But worry sets in with thoughts of his best friend, Piggie—should he share his treat with her? As Gerald wrestles with the pros and cons, observant readers will notice that the ice cream is melting—fast. By the time he decides in favor of sharing, it has melted into a puddle at his feet, and Gerald realizes that he "blew it." But timing is everything, and Piggie shows up at that moment with a cone of her own—and happily shares it. "Not my plan," thinks Gerald, but he also realizes that this arrangement is fine. Willems's simple text allows beginning readers independent success, although the text and illustrations also work well as a read-aloud. Fans of the series will not want to miss this offering, and adults can use the simple story to discuss sharing, friendship, and making decisions in a timely manner. Another winner.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL