The Best Picture Books about Manners

recommended by Karen Kennedy, mother of two

These books take a variety of approaches to this important subject, from chatty to sincere to silly, but none of them are preachy or excessive.

Manners

illustrated by Aliki

Amazon says:
The wonderful Aliki Brandenberg has written and illustrated more children's books than many kids have read (133 at last count). "Manners" is a cheery, funny dissertation on how and, more important, why to be a polite child.

A combination of hilarious, colorful illustrations, comic-bookish playlets such as "You Are Interrupting Again, Leon," some of what a grown up might call role-playing, and miscellaneous other gems, the book adds up to the best child's handbook on manners in over a century.

32 page paperback |$6.99 |10 reviews

 
 

How to Behave and Why

by Munro Leaf

Amazon says:
In a time when all the rules for raising children have been redefined dozens of times, here is a book for bewildered parents from a simpler time when we all agreed on what was right and what was wrong. First published in 1946, "Munro Leaf's How To Behave And Why" gives touchingly sincere yet gently funny lessons in Honesty, Fairness, Strength, and Wisdom.

48 page hardcover |$10.17 |24 reviews

 
 

What Do You Say, Dear?

by Sesyle Joslin, illustrated by Maurice Sendak

Amazon says:
What do you say when you bump into a crocodile on a crowded city street? A nice gentleman introduces you to a baby elephant? The Queen feeds you so much spaghetti that you don't fit in your chair anymore? This is the funniest book of manners you'll ever read!

48 page paperback |$6.95 |19 reviews

 
 

It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel

by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner

Amazon says:
When a crocodile is eating an armadillo, should she put her napkin (a) on her head, (b) in her ear, or (c) on her lap? If you can't figure out the answer to this silly etiquette quiz, peer into the color-rich full-page illustration, where you'll find the subtly hidden letter c. Each page of this delightful book poses one or two quiz questions, designed to test whether your child's manners are monstrous or marvelous.

40 page paperback |$6.99 |8 reviews

 
 

The Bad Good Manners Book

by Babette Cole

No longer in print, this classic is worth picking up used or taking a trip to your local library.

32 page hardcover |$1.20 |1 review

 

Know any books we should add to the list above? .

 
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