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My Manners Matter: A First Look at Politeness ISBN: 9780340894538
Harker, Lesley and Thomas, Pat
Published by Hodder Wayland, 2006
This is one of a series of books, beautifully illustrated, that cover all sorts of issues. Despite being somewhat 'long in the tooth' at the time of reviewing, it is still available, and still very useful. It starts with an explanation of what 'manners' are and why we need to use them. and then goes on to 'please' and 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry'. The importance of being polite at all times and not just on special occasions emphasises how we interact with family as well as friends and acquaintances. We learn that people years ago had different rules from today, but that there are some things that never change, such as 'taking turns, not pushing or shoving, playing fair, and covering your mouth when you sneeze.' It is also explained that different cultures have different ideas about what are and are not good manners, and we must be aware of those differences and accept them. '...being polite makes working and playing together more enjoyable for everyone.' A page of advice for parents and teachers using the book, as well as a list of resources, will make the book even more useful.
Age: 5+