Two for Me, One for You

ABOUT THE BOOK
FAMILY ACTIVITIES

text and illustrations: Jörg Mühle

A bear and a ferret disagree over sharing mushrooms until the fox forces them to resolve the dispute, but they both learn a lesson. This is a book that develops the child’s ability to see things from two different points of view and to understand arguments, leaving the child at the end with a thinking challenge: How will a bear and a ferret share three berries?

Family Activities

The book deals with the value of sharing and the ability to see things from two different points of view. This book also presents a rich linguistic model for dialogue between two friends in which each tries to convince the other of their argument in order to get the third mushroom.

Video

Dear Parents,

The bear and the ferret disagree over sharing mushrooms, until the fox forces them to resolve the dispute, and they both learn a lesson.

Social relationships are complex. Through them, our children practice several skills, and develop emotional, mental, and social abilities, including the ability to acknowledge the other and understand their point of view by learning the values of empathy and sharing.

During their course of building and practicing social relationships, our children fall into a whirlpool of “do I share, or do I keep the object to myself?,” and they find it difficult to acknowledge the other, their needs, desires and beliefs. They are focused on their own desires and needs, and this is why they need the mediating adult who, by using a dialogue, shows the position of the other, and their different opinion. This helps them to make a good and mutual decision for both parties.

Family Activities

Let’s have a conversation
About the different points of view: We can follow the arguments of the ferret and the bear and compare their points of view on why each is entitled to the third piece of mushroom. We can ask our children why the ferret thinks that he deserves the third mushroom, what the bear thinks, what the fox did, and how they felt then. We can even suggest a solution to their problem.
About justice: the ferret and the bear both mentioned the word “justice” in their arguments. What does justice mean? When did you feel injustice? What does it mean to act justly?
About tasks in the family: The bear and the ferret shared errands in their house. With our child, we can discuss the division of tasks within the family and the roles of each individual.
About sharing: Both the bear and the ferret found it difficult to share the third mushroom. We can talk with our child about the things they share with others, and about other things that are difficult for them to do. For example, how do they feel if they share a game they like with their friend or sibling?
About spending time together: We can talk about things we do in our family to show our love and concern for each other, such as sharing household chores, preparing a favourite meal, or doing a fun family tradition.
About argument and persuasion: We can choose a topic with our child, and we can discuss it from both sides, the argument and the counterargument, in order to develop our child’s ability to think and express themselves. For example: holding a birthday party, going on a journey, buying a new game - or any other topic of our choosing.
Let’s act
We can choose a situation in which our child finds it difficult to participate. We can take turns and act it out. Then, we can talk about the feelings and desires of each one of us, about the difficulties we faced and suggest ways to deal with them. We can support our child and show them that sharing means caring for the other and showing their affection for this person.
Let’s create
The ferret prepared a delicious meal of mushrooms in the story. We can prepare a shared meal with our children and prepare it together. We might also want to explore berry-based recipes.
Let’s communicate
we can invite relatives, friends, or neighbours for a shared meal!
Enjoy your reading!