By: Munro Leaf Publisher: Universe Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Universe Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 56 Publication Date: August 09, 2005 Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Release Date: August 09, 2005
Product Description: Updated for the 21st century, How to Speak Politely and Why is a picture book with a point: proper speech and good grammar without nagging. It aims to remove “ain’t” and “uh-huh” and “gimme” and “got” and a score of unfortunate nuances by a simple, sure painless and humorous process. In his signature style of amusing stick figure drawings and captions, Leaf makes clear such things as the difference between can and may, and the reason why one does not say “he done it” or “she come.” Exasperated parents (and grandparents) faced with the unpleasant task of dealing with grammatical lapses acquired by their children from (gasp!) their neighbor’s children will be delighted (and relieved) by this veritable “grammar without tears.” Teachers will find it an indispensable ally, and even the culprits themselves—the children—will discover that learning to speak politely and correctly isn’t such a chore after all.
Boring The ideas are great, but the pictures and text did not hold my children's attention (ages 3,4 &7). My children love books and enjoy almost everything we read, but they did not even want to finish this one. I bought it because it was recommended by John Rosemond, but I was disappointed in it.
Speaking Politely Good book for young children. It has become part of our night time reading collection.
Music to my ears It is always refreshing to be in the company of a child with polite verbal manners. This is, of course, true for adults, as well. How to Speak Politely and Why, is very helpful to those a bit confused with proper speech etiquette. Perhaps this book is a beginning in keeping it from becoming a lost art. While reading it with fun, it could become a valuable tool for your childs entire life.
If your children aren't saying things like ain't, gimmee, etc. stay away! I really wanted to like this book, but I don't. He is writing to teach children not to say words like "ain't" which I would like to think most people don't say. He has a point with the word "gimmee" but it's pretty much the only one-- I made the mistake of reading it and my daughter never said that and now she knows the word.
The rest of the book has simple conjugations-- I ran, he ran, we ran, I run, etc. that are not such an issue.
The book we need is a book modeling interactions between people saying please and thank you, not a book instructing kids not to say "ain't".
His other book, How to Behave and Why, is better, but still has that instructional feel which may not be the best way to get a message across.
Munro Leaf makes manners fun for kids and adults This book is needed as much now as it ever was. Entertaining, but crammed with the polite manners we all need and want others (especially our children) to have. I remembered this book from my childhood, and as an adult, it did not disappoint. All of the "manner" books by Munro Leaf are wonderful. Fun to read and easy for children to understand.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
