Books to Help Children Develop Respect & Manners

Good manners and respect toward others matters in our daily activities. If parents, teachers and society instill the importance of appropriate behavior toward each other in children at an early age, it can help them navigate this world of ours with a reasonable amount of grace.

  1. Activity Books About Manners

    • "365 Manners Kids Should Know: Games, Activities, and Other Fun Ways to Help Children and Teens Learn Etiquette," by Sheryl Eberly, uses a one-manner-a-day approach. The book provides the tools needed to teach manners effectively using role-playing exercises and other activities. "Manners," by Aliki, introduces the concept of manners to children through fun, colorful illustrations. Your young child can view picture examples of circumstances they might find themselves in next to a few possible responses to those circumstances.

    Great Stories About How To Behave

    • "Everyday Graces: Child̵7;s Book Of Good Manners," by Karen Santorum, is a collection of stories and poems addressing the subject of good manners by well-known writers and poets, including Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis and Beatrix Potter. This book addresses the art of being being civil while exposing children to a classic selection of tales on the meaning of moral character. "Whoopi̵7;s Big Book of Manners," by the actress Whoopi Goldberg, is a humorous book enjoyed by kids, and the parents who are often the ones reading it aloud. This book is a solid story about how to act in public, using Whoopi's style of humor.

    Respect the Right to Be Different

    • "Giraffes Can't Dance," by Giles Andrea, features Gerald the giraffe who has legs that too are skinny, and a neck that is much too long. At the Jungle dance, his neighbors are having a great time moving to the music, but when Gerald begins to join in they jeer at him, which is discouraging for the poor giraffe. Rescued by the sage advice of a cricket, Gerald starts swaying to his own beat. "Whoever You Are," by Mem Fox, is a story/poem style book teaching small children about the similarities of diverse people and cultures around the world. This lyrical book stresses that we have the same feelings, no matter what we look like, where we go to school or what type of home we live in.

    Extraordinary People

    • "Let's Talk about It: Extraordinary Friends," by Fred Rogers, speaks with the familiar, comfortable voice of Mr. Rogers, who hosted his own PBS program for many years. He addresses the fact that children who need extra assistance to move around, communicate and learn have the ability to be extraordinary in many ways.
      "Don't Call Me Special: A First Look At Disability," by Pat Thomas, explores your child's questions and concerns about physical disabilities in a simple and reassuring manner. Your children can find out about individual challenges, special equipment for people with these challenges and how they are capable of living happy, full lives.

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