Llama Llama Time to Share
When a new neighbor comes to play, Llama Llama refuses to share, leading to a torn toy. The story handles the conflict directly, showing the consequences of the argument rather than just glossing over it.
Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney is estimated to take about 4.5 minutes to read aloud (330 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 2-5.
- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 4.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 330Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 2-5Our editorial fit
Our review
This story uses familiar rhyming rhythms that make it easy for young children to follow. It addresses the very real tension of sharing in a way that mirrors how preschoolers actually experience playground conflicts.
It's a useful choice for parents navigating the "no sharing" phase. While it deals with a broken toy, it moves toward a resolution, making it a practical tool for teaching empathy and social skills.
Before you buy it
A torn toy appears in the story, which can be upsetting for some two-year-olds. Since the toy is mended a couple of pages later, telling them that early can help.
Themes
- sharing
- friendship
- rhyme
- neighbours
- toys
Books like Llama Llama Time to Share
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Llama Llama Red Pajamaabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Llama Llama Mad at Mamaabout 5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Llama Llama Misses Mamaabout 5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Julius, the Baby of the Worldabout 11.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Rabbit Listenedabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Llama Llama Time to Share aloud?
About 4.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 330. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Llama Llama Time to Share actually for?
Ages 2-5 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Llama Llama Time to Share survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Llama Llama Time to Share a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it rhymes, and it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Llama Llama Time to Share?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Llama Llama Time to Share on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 2 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
Is Llama Llama Time to Share part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Llama Llama series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does Llama Llama Time to Share cover?
We tag it with sharing, friendship, rhyme, neighbours and toys. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
