Children's Books about Manners

Whether you work with small children or have kids of your own, you want them to use good manners. While leading by example is one of the best ways to teach children how to behave in various situations, books can also be a great tool. Here are some children’s books about manners that might help.

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Children’s Books about Manners

Do Unto Otters

When the Otters move in next door to Mr. Rabbit, he does not know how to act with them. This is a story that highlights how to be a good neighbor and friend – just simply follow the Golden Rule! You can find resources to pair with this book here.

Rude Cakes

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. Grab a free writing craft to pair with this book here.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . .

What if Everybody Did That?

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?

Manners

Aliki uses a child-friendly cartoon style to teach politeness, appropriate behavior, and courtesy. Short, funny comics explain why it is important to put the needs of others before your own—and how to do that! Complete with ideas for role-playing situations that build social skills, Manners is a handy guide for every home and every classroom.

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf

Big Bad Wolf, now old and residing in the Villain Villa Senior Center, is invited to a tea by a children’s librarian. His best friend, a toothsome crocodile, warns him that he will have to mind his manners. B. B. Wolf makes up a song: “Sip your tea and never slurp, say ‘excuse me’ if you burp. Smile and have a lot of fun, but don’t go biting anyone.” He remembers to say “please” and “thank you” and he gives a nervous Red Ridinghood, Three Little Pigs, and Gingerbread Boy his biggest smile ever, but when his stomach starts to gurgle, he gets a little mixed-up about what to do when you burp. This hilarious read-aloud story is a gentle reminder for children still learning their manners.

Dude, That’s Rude!

Kids today need manners more than ever, and Dude, That’s Rude! makes it fun and easy to get some. Full-color cartoons and kid-friendly text teach the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations—at home, at school, in the bathroom, on the phone, at the mall, and more.

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons

Everyone knows cookies taste good, but these cookies also have something good to say. Open this delectable book to any page and you will find out something about life. Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons is a new kind of dictionary, one that defines mysteries such as “fair” and “unfair” and what it means to “cooperate.” At every turn this book is clever, honest, inspirational, and whimsical. Go ahead, take a bite!

Decibella and Her 6-inch Voice

Spunky, spirited Isabella is always shouting out her every thought, idea, and feeling. She loves using her loud voice so much, it’s even earned her the nickname Decibella! But that’s not a nickname to brag about. Isabella is so loud, she interrupts class and irritates others. She doesn’t know how or when to use a softer, quieter voice until her teacher introduces the five volumes of voice. Click here for more books to help children who interrupt or blurt out.

Madeline Says Merci

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.

The Grouchy Ladybug

This story follows a bad-tempered bug who won’t say “please” or “thank you,” won’t share, and thinks she is bigger and better than anyone else. Along the way, readers will learn the important concepts of time, size, and shape, as well as the benefits of friendship and good manners.

The Bad Seed

This is a book about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. How bad? Do you really want to know? He has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. He’s been bad since he can remember! This is a funny yet touching tale that reminds us of the remarkably transformative power of will, acceptance, and just being you.

Teach Your Dragon Manners

Having a pet dragon is very fun. But what if your dragon is rude? What do you do when your dragon does not know what good manners are? What do you say to your dragon when he is often disrespectful to others? Get this book, and learn how to train your disrespectful dragon!

Table Talk: A Book about Table Manners

In this fun story, author Julia Cook uses funny rhymes and colorful illustrations to help young readers learn that good table manners are important, and that before sitting down to a meal, they need to wash those gooey, sticky, germy hands, and not bring a cell phone or video game to the table. Written from the Table’s point of view, this humorous tale shows kids what good table manners look like; don’t reach over someone (that’s rude), or talk with your mouth full (that’s gross). The story also gives kids the social skills they need while sharing a meal.

Richard Scarry’s Please and Thank You Book

Join Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm, and more as they learn about the importance of manners. From how to behave at school, to sharing, to important safety rules – and featuring bright and fun illustrations – young children will gain an understanding of the right ways to behave in a variety of situations.

The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners

Mama has noticed that Papa, Brother, and Sister have not been using their good manners, so now it’s up to her to help get back on track.

How Do Dinosaurs Show Good Manners?

What if a dinosaur won’t be polite? Maybe burps at the table and starts food fights? Watch these dinosaur children’s larger-than-life antics as they navigate sharing and showing gratitude with their human family and friends.

Please, Mr. Panda

What is the proper way to ask Mr. Panda for doughnuts? Patiently and politely, Mr. Panda asks the animals he comes across if they would like a doughnut. A penguin, a skunk, and a whale all say yes, but they do not remember to say “please” and “thank you.” Is anyone worthy of Mr. Panda’s doughnuts?

The Monsters’ Monster

Three little monsters love to CRASH!, BASH!, and SMASH! Every day they argue over who is the best monster, until they join forces to “make a MONSTER monster. The biggest, baddest monster EVER!” At first, their efforts look successful, but to their horror, the creature’s first words after tearing off his bandages are “Dank you.” The enormous Frankenstein look-alike contents himself with breathing fresh air and gently greeting the spiders, bats, and rats in the castle. But just as the little monsters begin to despair, Monster lets out a ROAR and smashes through the dungeon wall, heading toward the “monster-fearing village” below. Is he finally off to make mayhem? Or will his exploits end in a lesson for the little monsters about gratitude and sharing?

It’s Mine!

Three selfish frogs live together on an island in the middle of Rainbow Pond. All day long they bicker: It’s mine! It’s mine! It’s mine! But a bad storm and a big brown toad help them realize that sharing is much more fun.

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas

It’s Chinese New Year, and Goldy Luck’s mother wants her to take a plate of turnip cakes to the neighbors. The Chans aren’t home, but that doesn’t stop Goldy from trying out their rice porridge, their chairs, and their beds—with disastrous results. In this funny and festive retelling, we meet a heroine who takes responsibility for her actions and makes a new friend (and a whole plate of turnip cakes!), just in time for Chinese New Year.

The Bear Who Stared

There once was a bear who liked to STARE. Bear doesn’t mean to be rude, he’s just curious . . . but nobody likes being stared at and it soon gets Bear into trouble. The ladybugs find somewhere else to eat, the birds shoo him away, and an annoyed badger bites his nose. Luckily there’s a googly-eyed frog to set Bear straight! He teaches Bear to smile and say “Hello” when looking at people, and Bear is able to make lots of friends.

Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior

To pick, or not to pick? This etiquette question and loads more are answered in fourteen hilarious spreads by fourteen talented, well-loved artists. Each spread illustrates a setting from kids’ everyday lives (and the potential blunders they may commit there) and the text emphasizes the right behavior. From the dinner table to the doctor’s office, from the playground to the pool, this irreverent book will help kids navigate any social scenario with utmost grace. Or at least without too much embarrassment.

Do you have a favorite book about manners that didn’t make the list? Let me know so I can check it out!