Book Review – “Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners”

“Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners” by Whoopi Goldberg, pictures by Oloc.2006, Jump at the Sun / Hyperion $15.99 40 pagesBy Terri Schlichenmeyer You know it’s impolite to burp at the table while eating Sunday dinner at Grandma’s (or any meal at Grandma’s, for that matter). You know you should never play with your food, you shouldn’t butt in line, and you should always say “please” when you want something. You know these things because your Mom and Dad taught you good manners. But do you know that there are other polite rules you should follow? Learn what they are in “Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners” by Whoopi Goldberg, illustrations by Olo. What’s the worst, rudest, most gross and disgusting thing you can think of? Have you thought of something? Okay, you should never do that in front of anybody, ever. You know why, but just in case, Whoopi Goldberg reminds you. For instance, nobody – not Mom, not your sister, not your best friend – nobody ever wants to see you with your finger in your nose. Ick. But believe it or not, there are worse things to do. Like coughing or sneezing and not covering your mouth. Double ick. You hate it when someone else does it, so you shouldn’t do it, either. Plus, you know saying “excuse me” is the polite thing to do. But there are worse things than not covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze in public. Take phone manners. What if somebody calls and the person they want to speak to is not at home? Do you holler, “HE’S NOT HOME!” and hang up? No, you don’t. If you did, you’d be in big trouble. Learn what you should do to be polite to phone-callers. But believe it or not, there are worse things than bad phone manners. For instance, what do you do when you lose at a game? Doesn’t everybody know what to do? Maybe they need to read Whoopi’s book, too, just as a reminder. What do you say if you’ve done something wrong? Do you know that you’re supposed to belch at the table, if you’re in Korea? Do you believe that there’s one thing that nobody ever, ever wants to see you do in public? If you don’t know, the answer to that last question will make you laugh. Are you tired of lecturing your kids about manners and rudeness? Then pick up a copy of “Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners”, read it aloud and make ’em giggle while they learn. Author Whoopi Goldberg missed her calling when she went into acting; she’s a wonderful children’s author because she writes in a way that kids will love, and in a language they’ll understand. Add kid-friendly, colorful illustrations by Polish artist Alexander “Olo” Srocyznski, and you’ve got a book that kids will fight over, adults will pass around at parties, and you’ll quote every time your child commits a manners transgression. Don’t preach about manners. Make them fun to learn. Be sure your kids are ready to be seen in public without embarrassment by picking up a copy of “Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners”.Please. Thank you.