Emily Post's The Guide to Good Manners for Kids
Grade 3-7&ndash;Post and Senning pinpoint the three main factors in etiquette as respect, consideration, and honesty. The book begins with a chapter on everyday life, which consists of thank yous and other written and spoken words, privacy, greetings and introductions, and techno-manners. The treatment of chat rooms, message boards, e-mail, pagers, and computers offers guidelines that protect users while facilitating positive, healthy interactions. Subsequent chapters take on family relations within the home, situations at school, social events, manners at the mall and concerts, hospital visits, religious events and weddings, and travel. Eating out, whether fast food or fine dining, is covered, as are funerals, taxis, and interacting with a person with a disability. The writing is clear, friendly, and sometimes clever, putting readers at ease and raising myriad possibilities through the use of "what if" scenarios, complete with possible dialogue and even multiple-choice answers. Lists of "Always and Nevers" provide quick reference for things like taking messages, making introductions, and borrowing personal items. "Sticky Situations" offers solutions to avoid embarrassment. The advice is consistently practical and simple, and is addressed to boys as well as girls ("Always put the toilet seat down"). Divorce or remarriage is treated compassionately, with specific suggestions for reacting honestly and considerately toward all parties. Simple sketch drawings adorn the text sporadically, offering humor but no additional information. A fine update to Elizabeth James and Carol Barkin'sSocial Smarts: Manners for Today's Kids(Clarion, 1996).&ndash;Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KSCopyright &copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.