The Family Bookshelf
By Bob Walch

"Please Pass the Manners!"
(Little Simon) by Lola Schaefer. Illustrated by Kellie Lewis

The Audience: For children three and up who are ready to learn proper table manners. (12 pages)

The Issue: As soon as your child has mastered the use of a spoon and fork, it is time to start teaching some basic mealtime etiquette.

The Content: A cute little mouse, the narrator of this novelty book, acts as a guide as the reader sees illustrations of the incorrect and correct way to act while at the table.

For example, the mouse says, "Please don't carry germs to your seat." On the adjacent page three dirty piglets are heading in to eat. Flip the page and you'll see them washing their hands and find the direction - "Wash your hands before you eat."

There are also further instructions on saying "please", correct napkin use, and closing your mouth while chewing your food. There is also a pull out chart and a sheet of gold stars that parents can use to keep track of and reward their own child for proper table manners.

The Message: Teaching proper table behavior and good manners need not be a stressful situation. Using this picture book and the materials the author provides, the child should have no difficulty understanding what type of behavior at the table is expected. Of course, the rest of the family must also act as role models!

Before retiring, Bob Walch taught English in Santa Barbara and Carmel for 39 years. His reviews of children's literature appear in Central Coast newspapers and on line at the Reading Tub, Roundtable Reviews, My Shelf and Parent Click.