Children’s Books About Manners
Read these picture books about manners over and over again with your children to help them start learning proper etiquette. Childrens books are a great way to start the discussion.
When it comes to teaching good manners to kids, it’s never as simple as saying it once.
You can find these good manners books at your local library or purchase through the links provided for your convenience.
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Manner Books for Kids
We’ve read a number of these books about manners with y own kids over and over again.
I’m thrilled to say that adults often tell me how well-behaved children I have – oh if they only knew how crazy they are at home. Ha!
I have to say, Do Unto Otters was one of my boys all-time favorite books. If you can get it the Audio CD that goes with it – do it! We listened to that sucker a million times in the car.
For more on manners, also read How To Say You’re Sorry, Teach Your Kid iPhone Manners and Teaching Virtues Study Unit.
Why Are Manners Important
Manners are important because they create a positive and respectful social environment, facilitating effective communication and cooperation. They contribute to personal development by instilling discipline, self-control, and empathy.
Additionally, good manners play a key role in professional and academic success, reflecting social competence and the ability to collaborate effectively.
Ultimately, practicing good manners is essential for fostering considerate and respectful interactions, contributing to positive relationships in both personal and professional spheres.
How Are Manners Part of Social Emotional Learning
Manners play a vital role in Social Emotional Learning by contributing to the development of key competencies.
Demonstrating good manners aligns with SEL goals by emphasizing relationship skills, social awareness, responsible decision-making, self-management, empathy, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Practicing manners offers tangible experiences that reinforce these crucial social and emotional competencies, fostering positive social interactions and overall well-being within individuals and communities.
For more SEL, visit our Social Emotional Learning Books.
MANNER BOOKS FOR KIDS
2008 Bank Street – Best Children’s Book of the Year
In her smart, playful style Laurie Keller highlights how to be a good friend and neighbor―simply follow the Golden Rule!
Mr. Rabbit's new neighbors are Otters.OTTERS! But he doesn't know anything about otters.
Will they get along? Will they be friends?
Just treat otters the same way you'd like them to treat you, advises Mr. Owl.
2016 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award – New Illustrator Honor
Who knew that cakes were so rude?!
In this deliciously entertaining book, a not-so-sweet cake — who never says please or thank you or listens to its parents — gets its just desserts.
Mixing hilarious text and pictures, Rowboat Watkins, a former Sendak fellow, has cooked up a laugh-out- loud story that can also be served up as a delectable discussion starter about manners or bullying, as it sweetly reminds us all that even the rudest cake can learn to change its ways.
2011 Caldecott Honor
It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story —and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself!
Energetically illustrated with glowing colors — and offering humorous story-within-a-story views — this all-too-familiar tale is sure to amuse (and hold the attention of ) spirited little chicks.
With charming illustrations and humorous verse, this newer book will be treasured by Madeline fans of all ages.
Madeline loves adventure and is not afraid of mice. She loves winter, snow, and ice. And she also knows the secret to being polite is simply to be kind to others.
With help from her friends — Miss Clavel, the girls, and even Pepito — Madeline introduces basic ideas such as please and thank you, sharing, cleaning up, and so much more.
Lacey Walker loves to talk. She talks all day, and sometimes all night. But when she loses her voice, Lacey learns the importance of listening. She learns about all of the things she misses out on every day.
This relatable picture book teaches an important life lesson for preschoolers and older.
He has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. He’s been bad since he can remember!
This seed cuts in line every time, stares at everybody and never listens.
But what happens when one mischievous little seed changes his mind about himself, and decides that he wants to be—happy?
Melvin throws fit after fit when he doesn’t get what he wants.
He must learn how to deal with disappointment. After all, you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.
Isabella is a spirited girl who enjoys shouting out her thoughts, ideas and feelings.
In fact, she loves using her loud voice so much; it’s earned her the nickname, Decibella!
Young readers will be entertained as they see how Isabella learns the five volumes of voice and discovers that different situations require a different tone.
If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal … right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules … and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool?
Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place?
Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.
Penguin learns to say please in different situations throughout this sturdy board book.
With simple text and vibrant photos, this is an excellent way to start teaching manners.
Llama Llama has new neighbors!
Nelly Gnu and her mama stop by for a play date, but Llama’s not so sure it’s time to share all his toys. Maybe just his blocks?
It could be fun to make a castle with Nelly.
But wait–Nelly has Llama’s little Fuzzy Llama! Llama has a sharing drama!
Written with style, wit, and rhythm, personal space camp addresses the complex issue of respect for another person s physical boundaries.
Told from Louis perspective, this story is a must-have resource for parents, teachers, and counselors who want to communicate the idea of personal space in a manner that connects with kids.
Groups of ebullient mice narrate this humorous text as young children try in vain to get what they want, learning along the way that it is helpful to say “Please,” “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” and “I’m sorry.” Oh, and you have to mean it, too.
As a companion book to the popular Time to Pee!, Mo Willems has created a book on manners in his own signature style.
The Way I Act explores thirteen ways of behaving. The friendly verses and bold illustrations convey many positive ideas of how to act in a variety of situations.
In the companion book, The Way I Feel, children learned that feelings come and go and simply are.