Review by Booklist Review
Ages 5-8. Aliki makes manners accessible to children through colorful cartoon-style illustrations designed to teach some of the basics of "et-ee-kit." Her lively primer sparkles with examples of the proper and the poor: "Look at Daniel," reads the text at the top of a page on which a boy successively sneezes without covering his mouth, scratches his head, and jams his finger up his nose. "Don't you wish you didn't have to?" reads the text at the bottom. There are "manners lessons," too--clever, humorous samples of illustrative role-playing (done in a series of small illustrations) that effectively demonstrate table manners, telephone etiquette, and gracious behavior for guests. But Aliki's messages, unfortunately, are not equally clear, and some of her pages are simply too busy, jumping awkwardly from handwritten captions and comics-style drawings to straight printed text. Still, there's plenty to learn, plenty to look at, and plenty to share in a clever book that demonstrates the importance of manners while it makes learning them fun. ~--Stephanie Zvirin
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The artist's characteristically cheery cartoon strips brim with etiquette tips in a series of lighthearted lessons. Ages 4-up. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-- From the engaging jacket to the final endpaper, and in a lighthearted, humorous manner, children can see the cartoonlike depictions of the acceptable behavior, with the boorish counteraction similarly depicted for purposes of comparison. Well organized into succinct areas, the book is cleanly formatted and presents colorful images to engage browsers. That ``Manners are WORDS and ACTIONS that show others you CARE'' is paramount. Readers will revel in the sheer fun of it all and will surely gain personal insights. Younger children will be better served by individual rather than group presentation because of some of the pictures' small, informative details. Peggy Parish's Mind Your Manners (Greenwillow, 1978) or Norah Smaridge's rhythmic Manners Matter (Abingdon, 1980; o.p.) can't compete with the cheerful, broad-based treatment this offers, nor will they spark as much interest in and discussion of a universal issue--to think of others before one's self. Culture, gender, and age are well represented, also contributing to the book's wide appeal. --Mary Lou Budd, Milford South Elementary School, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In a didactic package, the author explains what manners are and gives examples of good and bad manners, including interrupting others, being rude, and using the telephone. Bright comic-strip-style illustrations. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Aliki makes a tart lesson in etiquette smoothly palatable--in a comprehensive assortment of good and bad behavior that's presented with such generous good humor that few children will feel preached at. Aliki offers quick takes on ordinary situations where kindness and a little common sense make life pleasanter for everyone; comic-strip scenarios unfold, and multiracial children act out positive and negative responses, while readers are given samples of appropriate, courteous phrases to use in typical situations. Lively illustrations add relevant details and comical distractions. The Goops may be funnier, but Aliki's polite children and pint-sized boors should make their point while amusing the picture-book set. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
