While manners can vary in different cultures and countries, each community has expectations for how to interact with one another. From the basics like "please" and "thank you", to etiquette and table manners, these picture book recommendations have all the tips and bold illustrations to demonstrate bad behavior and turn little readers into kind and thoughtful members of society.
Here are 23 of our favorite books about manners kids can read for fun or use as a practical guide on etiquette.
1. Mind Your Manners
A great introduction to manners, this book demonstrates common bad behaviors through animals kids know and love! Can these wild beasts (and your little ones) learn how to control their actions and learn a gentle lesson about courtesy and kindness?
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2. Llama Llama Time to Share
The Llama Llama series has 52 books, with a few covering various aspects of manners and good behavior. This book discusses sharing and how it can be hard to share your toys, even with new friends. A great book for toddlers to learn the basic rules of sharing.
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3. How Do Dinosaurs Show Good Manners?
Jane Yolen and Mark Teague know just how to teach your kids new skills in bite-size lessons with wacky book characters like DINOSAURS! In this favorite book about manners, kids can learn how to be nice through simple sentences and cartoon-style illustrations.
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4. How to Apologize
An important lesson in manners should incorporate how to say "I'm sorry" when we do something wrong. When we are young, it can be hard to know how and when to apologize. This charming picture book by David LaRochelle uses sweet animal accidents as a guide on etiquette for when we make mistakes.
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5. No, David!
David Shannon gives us this brilliant 6 book series about little David and his erratic tendencies. In this chaotic picture book, David is exhibiting bad behaviors all over the house and his family is tired of it. How will he learn basic manners?
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6. Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners
What is the golden rule? "treat others how you would want to be treated". In this adorable etiquette book by Laurie Keller, Mr. Rabbit remembers this essential guide for how to act towards his new neighbors, the Otters.
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7. Excuse Me!: A Little Book of Manners
This is just one of the many flipbooks about manners that Karen Katz has written for little learners. This book shares the basic manners all kids must learn as babies such as covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze and saying "excuse me" after burping.
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8. When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree
Good manners mean when someone gives you a gift, you say "thank you" no matter how you feel about it. In this sweet picture book, a little girl gets an unexpected gift from her grandma for her birthday, a lemon tree! The colorful illustrations are a charming guide/code of behavior that we should keep in these conflicting situations.
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9. Madeline Says Merci: The Always-Be-Polite Book
Madeline is a classic series with tons of books for kids to read and fall in love with. This story tells how Madeline learns courtesy lessons at school, how she can be polite and kind to others, and how to share with friends.
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10. Emily Post's Table Manners for Kids
Peggy Post saves the day with this comprehensive guide to table manners and how to behave when sitting at the dinner table, no matter the occasion or company.
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11. The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners
Whether your kids read this series already or are looking for a little bear family fun in their lives, this classic is perfect for you. In this colorful picture book, the family needs to learn proper manners before they drive mama bear crazy!
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12. Voices Are Not for Yelling
This is just one title in the Best Behavior board book series for toddlers learning how to control their actions. Babies can use this complete guide to understand when they can scream and shout, and when they should be quiet.
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13. Emily's Everyday Manners
Emily and Ethan love playing together and learning new lessons about the world. Today, they are practicing their impeccable table manners, along with other basic courtesy rules such as using the magic words and sharing.
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14. Dude, That's Rude!: Get Some Manners
Now, this funny and comprehensive solution guide has all the basic manners lessons your kids will need to survive any situation. At home, at school, at a restaurant, and even online, manners matter. Read and laugh along with the outrageous illustrations and useful behavioral tips.
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15. A Kids' Guide to Manners: 50 Fun Etiquette Lessons for Kids
This authoritative book about manners provides activities, examples, and games for kids 7-12 to learn proper etiquette when meeting new people and in various other social situations. For parents to read with their kids or for kids to learn on their own!
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16. Sherry The Hare Doesn't Know How To Share
Sherry and her story can teach young kids a valuable manners lesson about the importance of generosity and sharing. This is a tough skill for any child to master, and Sherry's journey of frustration, fairness, and loss will show little readers the benefits of sharing and community.
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17. Sorry, I Forgot to Ask!
Time for a gentle lesson on asking permission and apologizing to RJ, a little boy confused about why he keeps getting in trouble. When kids are young, it is important for them to learn when actions need authorization from adults. RJ learns through communication and experience that responsibility is cool!
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18. We Don't Eat Our Classmates!
A fun and imaginative way to show kids how to think about others and not just themselves. When Penelope Rex starts school, she is super excited and a bit nervous because humans are so delicious, and she isn't supposed to eat her classmates. In class, she learns an unexpected lesson about etiquette and boundaries that will make your kiddos laugh out loud!
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19. Be Polite and Kind
Here is a teaching tool schools have been using to demonstrate manners for almost 20 years! It explains the basics in easy and visual ways kids can act out and practice with their peers and families.
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20. May I Please Have a Cookie?
Sometimes a sweet incentive is the best way to teach kids the magic words. In this sweet picture book for toddlers, little Alfie learns the power of "please!" and enjoys his mom's cookies in return for being polite!
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21. Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas
A sweet Goldilocks-inspired Chinese tale about personal boundaries and taking responsibility for your actions. Little Goldy Luck's mom asked her to bring over some food for her neighbors, but they aren't home. She decides to go inside anyways and learns a messy lesson she'll never forget!
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22. The Way I Act
This guidebook provides various examples of how children can act properly in different situations. From school to dinner time and everywhere in between, kids can read along and relate to the chaos of life, what actions are appropriate, and which are for another time.
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23. You Get What You Get
Every parent has experienced their child throwing a tantrum because they did not get what they wanted. Here is an adorably illustrated story showing what happens when we throw a fit, and what other reactions/responses we can do to make ourselves and others feel better.
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