THE SHAREY GODMOTHER

Shari T. Fairy loves to share. Her joy comes from making others happy, but some of her friends are concerned that Shari is so busy sharing, she doesn’t notice that she isn’t being treated fairly in return.

Shari’s fairy-godmother friends ask: “Isn’t it unfair that no one else gives back as much?” And: “Does anyone say thank you?” And: “Would people still be your friend if you didn’t share?” Shari considers what they say and decides to try not sharing, just to see how it feels. Almost immediately, the smiling and happy fairy becomes lonely and sad. Worse, she begins to question her motives for sharing with others. Does she share just so people will like her? Shari takes some time to check in with herself, and she realizes that “something is wrong. Something feels off. Something feels all jammed up inside.” Here, Curato’s cotton-candy colors dim to gloomy purple. It takes a visit from some of Shari’s other fairy friends to remind her who she is and what she loves to do. This book will work well as a read-aloud for older children who will have experienced situations in which they question themselves and have begun to consider how their friends see them. Readers will enjoy Curato’s colorful group of fairies, who present in a number of shapes, sizes, colors, and genders. Shari herself has light-brown skin and puffy bubble-gum-pink hair. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 23.7% of actual size.)

Shari’s experiences will help children learn how to listen to themselves.