Use a Book to Encourage Sibling Sharing
Stop Sibling Selfishness with Morris's Disappearing Bag
Jan 31, 2009
When children struggle with sharing presents, reading about other children facing and solving a similar problem can:
- let children know they are not alone in having this problem
- provide children with positive models for resolving sibling conflicts
Parents can encourage sibling sharing by reading and discussing the charming classic picture book Morris's Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells [Puffin, 2001] with children before Christmas gift-giving or other holiday gift-giving. Reading how Morris feels left out when his older siblings will not share their amazing Christmas gifts with him, and how Morris turns the tables on them once he discovers an amazing Christmas gift of his own, will help older siblings empathize with the feelings of younger brothers and sisters and help younger siblings feel empowered once Morris convinces his older siblings to trade presents for awhile. The book may also give parents ideas for how to be fair while buying presents for siblings.
Morris's Diasppearing Bag and Real-Life Sibling Relationships
The book begins with Morris and his older brother Victor and older sisters Rose and Betty opening their Christmas presents. Victor receives a hockey outfit and equipment, Rose receives a beauty set, and Betty receives a chemistry set full of fascinating beakers and chemicals. Morris receives a cuddly bear, which naturally none of his older siblings are interested in playing with.
First, they enjoy their own presents. Then, they trade with each other. No one wants to trade with Morris. Poor Morris sits alone and refuses the attempts of his parents to make him feel better when his mother offers to sew a hat for his bear and his father offers to take him and the bear for a walk.
But then Morris finds one last present under the tree – an invisible "disappearing bag" into which he climbs. Children will enjoy trying to spot parts of Morris (ear tips, tail) in the next few pictures as he hides from his brother and sisters. Of course, once Victor, Betty, and Rose find out about the magic bag, they want to play with it too. Soon they are disappearing, and Morris is zooming, mixing, and beautifying to his heart's content.
Discussion Questions to Use after Reading Morris's Disappearing Bag
After reading the book, discuss questions such as the following:
- Why do Victor, Rose, and Betty share their toys with each other, but not with Morris? What reasons do they give for why Morris can't play with their toys? Do you think these reasons are fair?
- How does Morris feel when his brother and sisters are playing with each others' toys, but not his bear?
- What makes his brother and sisters willing finally to share their toys with Morris?
- Do you think Morris and his brother and sisters will play with the disappearing bag the next day? Will they be able to find it? How well do you think his brother and sisters will share their things with Morris in the future?
Using the Book to Encourage Sibling Sharing and Stronger Sibling Relationships
Morris's solution is not one that real-life younger siblings can duplicate. After all, magic disappearing bags do not exist in real life! However, discussing the book with siblings will get them thinking about issues of fairness and whether younger siblings should be left out when older ones are having fun with new toys. Remembering the book's lessons may stop sibling selfishness in the future. Older siblings may be more sensitive to the feelings of their younger siblings and more inclined to share fun (safe) toys with them.
Parents can also help the situation by making sure that all children, not just the older ones, have toys that the others will want to play with. Or, parents can sidestep the issue by giving children one large family gift instead of smaller, individual holiday gifts.
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