Books That Help Toddlers With Sharing and Taking Turns (Ages 1–3)
Turn “mine!” into moments of kindness with these gentle, toddler-approved storybooks.
Why Sharing Feels So Hard for Toddlers
Toddlers are not being selfish when they don’t share—they’re being developmentally normal. At this stage, their brains are just learning the concepts of ownership, fairness, and waiting.
So when your 2-year-old grabs the truck and yells “Mine!”, they’re not trying to be mean. They’re saying: I like this. I don’t want to lose it.
Instead of forcing sharing, the goal is to model kindness, name feelings, and teach turn-taking gently over time. One of the best ways to do that? Through stories
Best Storybooks That Teach Sharing (Without Lecturing)
1. “Zara’s Train of Thought: Learning to Wait”
Focus: patience, turn-taking, emotional regulation
Zara wants to play with the train… but her cousin is using it. She learns to breathe, count, and find another toy while she waits.
Perfect for preschool playdates and calming toy disputes.
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2. “The Sharing Sunflower”
Focus: sharing, empathy, joy in playing together
Lily brings her favorite ball to play—but another toddler Tom wants to play. After some hesitation, they laugh and play together.
A gentle way to show that sharing can be fun.
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Real-Life Tip: Practice Sharing with Toys & Books
After reading these stories:
- Recreate the scene with toys: “Let’s take turns with this red block, like Ellie.”
- Use a timer: “Two more minutes, then it’s Zara’s turn.”
- Celebrate small wins: “You waited so kindly! That was just like Milo.”
Repetition helps toddlers connect what they hear in stories with what they experience at home.
What I Learned from My Daughter’s “Mine!” Phase
My daughter was obsessed with her soft yellow duck. She would scream if another toddler even looked at it.
Then one day, after weeks of reading “Ellie and the Red Ball”, she paused, looked at the duck, and offered it (for just 3 seconds) to her cousin.
It wasn’t perfect. But it was a start. And it was because of the stories.
You Don’t Need to Teach Sharing in One Day
Toddlers learn through stories, play, and love.
Keep reading. Keep modeling. Keep connecting.
They’ll get there—with your gentle guidance and a few good books.
Free Printable: Sharing & Turn-Taking Activity Cards
Want to extend the learning?
Includes:
- 6 simple sharing scenarios with visuals
- Phrases to try: “Can I have a turn?” / “Let’s play together!”
- Perfect for circle time, home use, or preschool
