
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the 'me first' mentality or when a simple request to share leads to a dramatic standoff. It is the perfect antidote to the common battle over the last treat, using humor rather than lectures to teach the importance of considering others. The story follows Maurice, who takes the final chocolate chip cookie but is told by his mother that he must offer it to everyone else first. Maurice takes this instruction to a literal and absurd extreme, embarking on a globe-trotting quest to ensure every living soul has been asked before he takes a bite. It is a fantastic choice for parents of children aged 4 to 8 who appreciate dry wit and hyperbole. By the time Maurice returns, the lesson on manners has transformed into a hilarious adventure, making it easy for kids to see the absurdity of their own stubbornness without feeling judged or shamed.
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Sign in to write a reviewThis is a secular, humorous take on social etiquette. There are no heavy sensitive topics. The peril Maurice faces (sharks, aliens) is presented in a comedic, absurdist fashion that is not intended to be frightening.
A first or second grader who is currently in a 'rules lawyer' phase. This child understands the concept of sharing but tries to find loopholes or obeys the letter of the law while ignoring the spirit of it. It’s also great for kids who love 'The Phantom Tollbooth' style of literalism.
The book can be read cold. Parents should be prepared to use different voices for the various characters Maurice meets to lean into the humor. The parent has just watched their child snatch the last of something and then provide an exhaustive, logical explanation as to why they deserve it more than their sibling.
Preschoolers will enjoy the repetition and the funny places Maurice goes. Elementary-aged children will better appreciate the irony and the satirical take on 'good manners.'
Unlike many 'sharing' books that are sweet and sentimental, this one uses the 'reductio ad absurdum' technique. It mocks the protagonist's stubbornness in a way that allows the child to laugh at themselves.
Maurice reaches for the last chocolate chip cookie on the plate. When his mother insists he must offer it to everyone else first, Maurice takes the directive literally. He travels across the neighborhood, to the North Pole, across the desert, and eventually into deep space, offering the cookie to everyone he meets. By the time he returns home, ready to finally eat it, he discovers a surprise ending that highlights the fleeting nature of 'last' treats.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.