There are some books that you just know you will love before reading the first word.  Maybe it is the front cover? The illustration style? The title itself? Or maybe the author or illustrator’s name gets you?  This one got me on all levels — a beautiful front cover, an intriguing title (with an equally appealing sub-title: “A book of manners for all occasions”) and with Maurice Sendak illustrating there was little that could keep me from rushing to the till, copy in hand.

The book about manners was actually written in 1958 and re-released in 1986 so I have no idea how it has escaped my attention for so long but I am sure glad I have found it!  It is slightly on the old-fashioned side when it comes to manners (but then so am I) but what I love is the bizarre and surreal scenarios the children reading are faced with in order to suss out what manners would be appropriate — for example; “You are at the Princess’ ball, and she is telling you a secret, but her orchestra of bears is making such a fearful lot of noise you cannot hear what she is saying.  What do you say, dear?” Well as anyone knows faced with such a situation the only polite thing to say is, ” I beg your pardon”.

You can buy it from Amazon (UK and US).

-Mo. x