Before Christmas, at a cute, little shop in my town, I found this book: "How to Speak Politely and Why" by Munro Leaf. It was reprinted in the last five years, after being originally published in 1934 under the title "Grammar Can Be Fun." When I saw the book, I had to buy it.
It became one of Benjamin's Christmas gifts-- he, the only boy in Krinkeland, is most in need of tips on manners and politeness. Ben wants nothing to do with the book. But, Ben could learn something from the characters in the book, such as THE WOBBLY NECKS, UH-HUH and UN-UN:
"Poor Wobbly Necks! They shake their heads and hod their heads and still no one knows what they want to say. Some one says, 'Would you like to go?' and they shout UH-HUH and UN-UN then Wiggle and Wiggle and Wiggle. But no one knows what they mean. While-- YES and NO are always happy. Everybody knows what THEY mean and THEY don't have to wiggle their necks at all."
Madeline, on the other hand, loves the book, and brings it to me to read all the time. Unfortunately, she and her lack of manners are not yet ready for the tips in the book. At the two-year-old stage, I would be thrilled if she would simply stop screaming and use a Kleenex instead of a sleeve. At the very least, it would be nice if she would use her own sleeve.
0 Loyal Subjects Weigh In:
Post a Comment