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“Mind Your Manners” Picture Books

Wouldn’t it be nice if children were born with perfect manners pre-installed? If you find yourself having to say things like “Say please” a little too often, you’ll appreciate this lineup of my favorite “non-preachy” picture books about manners that you’ll love sharing with your kids.

Grab this free printable list of picture books about manners to take with you on your next visit to the library.

Babushka's Doll book cover

Babushka’s Doll
by Patricia Polacco

Natasha’s grandmother has work to do, but Natasha is so impatient. She doesn’t want to wait for Babushka to be done with her chores, and she makes sure Babushka knows it. But then the demanding little girl finds Babushka’s old doll and learns a very important lesson in an unlikely way.

Mind Your Manners Picture Books - Picture Book Reviews from All About Reading

Bear Says Thanks
by Karma Wilson

Bear is bored. He wants to invite his forest friends to join him for a wonderful dinner, but he is distressed (and a bit embarrassed) to discover that his cupboards are bare. But that doesn’t matter to Bear’s friends. The generosity of their gifts and Bear’s gratitude shine from every page of this sweet book.

Don't Play with Your Food! book cover

Don’t Play with Your Food!
by Bob Shea

Buddy loves bunnies—they look so yummy! But the sneaky bunnies convince Buddy to play with them instead of eating them. After all the fun they have playing together, Buddy has a problem. He knows you should never play with your food, but now he wonders…should you eat your friends?

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? book cover

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?
by Mo Willems

When Duckling asks politely and gets a cookie full of nuts, Mo Willems’s Pigeon goes nuts! He wants a nutty cookie too, but he does not know how to say please. You’ll laugh at Pigeon’s antics, but you won’t feel sorry for him. And you’ll learn that it’s always best to be polite.

The Grouchy Ladybug book cover

The Grouchy Ladybug
by Eric Carle

It’s hard to imagine anyone more disagreeable than The Grouchy Ladybug. She’d rather pick a fight with her friendly neighbor than share her morning aphids. But in the end, the irritable ladybug decides that sharing might not be such a bad idea after all.

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? book cover

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?
by Jane Yolen

To every child’s chagrin (and every parent’s delight!), How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? reveals a surprising truth—dinosaurs eat politely! Hilarious illustrations and perfectly timed rhyme create the perfect backdrop for this unexpected guide to good manners for children.

Llama Llama Time to Share book cover

Llama Llama Time to Share
by Anna Dewdney

When Nelly Gnu comes to play, everything is going fine until—uh-oh—it’s a llama-mergency! Llama Llama does not like to share! Hopefully he can learn that playing with friends is even more fun when you share your toys! And maybe Llama Llama will convince your little one that sharing has its benefits.

May I Please Have a Cookie? book cover

May I Please Have a Cookie?
by Jennifer E. Morris

If you’ve ever been caught with your hand in the cookie jar, you’re going to love Alfie. He loves cookies and he’ll do anything to get one. But when he has to find a better way to ask for a cookie, Alfie gets very creative—and a little sneaky! Eventually he discovers that please works best.

Nosey Mrs. Rat book cover

Nosey Mrs. Rat
by Jeffrey Allen

Jeffrey Allen’s Nosey Mrs. Rat loves snooping in her neighbors’ business. Being curious is a good thing … but being nosey? That’s another story. When Mrs. Rat’s neighbors get fed up with her snooping, she learns the hard way that spying isn’t as fun for the one being spied on.

Please, Mr. Panda book cover

Please, Mr. Panda
by Steve Antony

It’s hard for kids to remember to say please, and in Please, Mr. Panda, Mr. Panda’s friends have trouble remembering too. He has a box of doughnuts and he really wants to share them. But when Mr. Panda asks, “Do you want a doughnut?”, only one friend remembers to say please!

Tea Rex book cover

Tea Rex
by Molly Idle

The next time a T-rex is on the guest list for your fancy tea party, this is the perfect hostess guide. Molly Idle’s advice would make even Emily Post proud. But just imagine a T-rex sitting in your daintiest chair. The hilarious illustrations will have your little one howling with laughter.

Tissue, Please book cover

Tissue, Please!
by Lisa Kopelke

If it’s runny nose season in your house, you won’t want to miss this one. Even frogs sometimes resort to wiping their noses on their sleeves, but Lisa Kopelke’s slightly icky book offers the perfect alternative. Everything is so much better when Frog learns to say, Tissue, Please!

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight
by Penny Parker Klostermann

If you thought the old lady who swallowed a fly was funny, you’re going to love the dragon who swallowed a knight! Not only does the dragon in this slightly twisted tale have a GIANT appetite, he also seems to have forgotten his manners. After all, do you think it’s polite to swallow a knight?!

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons bookc over

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

In Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons, Amy Krouse Rosenthal turns cookie baking into so much more. Without being “preachy,” this treasure trove of sweetly illustrated character lessons is just perfect. So grab a cookie and a glass of milk! Learning important life lessons has never been so delicious!

Excuse Me! A Little Book of Manners book cover

Excuse Me! A Little Book of Manners
by Karen Katz

Excuse Me! A Little Book of Manners is the perfect introduction to manners for the littlest little ones. This friendly lift-a-flap book prompts children to respond to questions like “You burped! What do you say?” Lift the flap to reveal the answer as your child plays along. “Excuse me!

Do Unto Otters

Do Unto Otters
by Laurie Keller

When a family of otters move in, Mr. Rabbit is worried they may not make great neighbors. Mr. Owl asks him what kind of neighbor he would like the otters to be, and Mr. Rabbit soon discovers that to have good neighbors, you have to be a good neighbor!

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken
by David Ezra Stein

Are your story times prone to interruptions from over-excited listeners? If so, you’ll certainly relate to the patient papa in Interrupting Chicken. Maybe you can get through this adorable picture book without interruptions. Then again, maybe not.

Penguin Says Please

Penguin Says Please
by Michael Dahl

Penguin is having trouble getting the things he needs because he doesn’t know how to ask for them politely. It’s time for the young penguin to learn a lesson, but how can Mama teach him that there’s a better way for a little penguin to get what he wants?

What If Everybody Did That?

What If Everybody Did That?
by Ellen Javernick

It’s easy to make a mistake now and then … but what if everybody made the same mistake, all the time? One boy begins to rethink his own impolite habits when some wise friends ask him an important question—What If Everybody Did That?

Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker

Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker
by Christianne Jones

From the time she wakes up in the morning until the time she goes to bed, Lacey Walker never stops talking! In fact, she talks so much she drowns everyone else out. What will happen when Lacey wakes up and realizes she can’t talk? Will she finally learn to listen?

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf
by Judy Sierra

When B.B. Wolf gets invited to a tea party for storybook characters, he’s anxious to make a good impression. He consults an etiquette book and memorizes the rules, but can this notoriously nasty wolf make it through the tea party without offending anyone?

Martha Doesn't Say Sorry

Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry! 
by Samantha Berger

Martha does a lot of good things. But every so often, she does something that’s not very nice. She feels bad about it afterwards, but she doesn’t know how to make it right, because Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry! After all, saying sorry won’t fix anything … or will it?

Manners Are Not for Monkeys

Manners Are Not for Monkeys
by Heather Tekavec

The young monkeys at the zoo love watching the children who come to watch them. But when the monkeys begin to copy the manners of their audience, Mama Monkey doesn’t know what to do! Can she convince them that Manners Are Not for Monkeys?

FREE Picture Books about Manners Library List

Picture Books about Manners library checklist download

Would you like to read some of my favorite picture books about manners with your children? Click to download my list to take to your local library.

Looking for MORE books? You can find more great library lists here!

Picture Books about Manners Recommended by Our Readers

Do you have a favorite picture book about minding your manners? Please share it in the comments and I’ll add it to our Readers’ Picks list!

FREE Picture Book LIbrary Lists

All About Learning Press, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. All proceeds from our partnership with Amazon.com will be donated to local libraries.

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Sabiana Derenoncourt

says:

What a wonderful low stakes way to teach manners!
We’ve read through everyday graces by Karen Santorum this year

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

What a great way to look at it, Sabiana!

Sabiana Derenoncourt

says:

What wonderful, low-stakes way to teach manners!

Karleen Mauldin

says:

Thank you for the book suggestions! Great ways to reinforce manners without “nagging” !! Can’t wait to read “Lacey Walker, Non-stop Talker!” lol

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Lacey Walker, Non-stop Talker is a good one, Karleen! ?

Kimberly

says:

I love that so many of these are available at the library. Bonus points for all the authors my kids already know and like.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Kimberly. I hope you and your kids find lots to love here!

Melissa Wright

says:

Love this ! I also love love love your program, this is my first year teaching my grand daughter ( I taught my other ) and she is loving it !

A. Harris

says:

Great book list ideas! I’ve printed out my copy and will be searching for these titles. Thank you

Rachel Bradley

says:

Good manners are so important and are sorely missed these days! I loved seeing the fabulous book selections on manners! Already put a few in my cart!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Glad you like this, Rachel. I hope you find some titles to love!

Sharen

says:

Good list. Thank you

Rebecca

says:

Thank you for the printable list! My kids are getting better about remembering to say “please” and “thank you” without always being reminded, but we’re definitely still working on good manners! Another book about manners in my collection is The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners…I love Berenstain Bears books :)

Robin E. at All About Learning Press

says: Customer Service

Rebecca,
Thank you for letting us know that these books have had an impact on your children’s manners! Thanks for the recommendation too.

Pam H.

says:

Thank you! May I please have a cookie, is very cute. And we are looking forward to reading others off the list. I love having stories about manners, they are a great learning tool.

James Greene

says:

We love “Llama Llama, Time to Share”. Another good book about manners is “Tea for Ruby”.

Rhonda

says:

What a great list! We love How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food and Bear Says Thanks. The rest of these look great too!

Dina

says:

Such a fun way to teach manners! Much better than nagging!

Lauren

says:

This are great, thank you for sharing! Will definitely be looking for some of these at my library.

Dorothy

says:

Thank you for this list. Your posts are always so helpful.

Andi

says:

I love all your Library Lists blog entries! Thank you!

Shannon

says:

Thanks for the great ideas.

Michelle

says:

These books certainly area fun way to remind my kids about manners.

Anne Bean

says:

I love these book round ups!

Lydia

says:

Great list of books!

Amy

says:

Cute books. Thanks for AAR we love it!!

Rachel

says:

Love it

Carla

says:

Thank you for all of the great resources you provide and all of the advice. I have found it most helpful.

Lisa

says:

Thank you!!! My daughter and I are enjoying reading these together.

Tracy

says:

Thank you for the book list! It is becoming more and more challenging to find quality books to read, your list is helpful :)

Barbara

says:

Great list to look for at the library, thanks!

Sandy

says:

Thanks! I am always looking for great picture booklists!

Tiffany Tracey

says:

This is a great list, thank you!

apryl liles

says:

We love the bear books, Llama llama, and Mo Willems Pigeon Books. The Grouchy Ladybug is on our list to read this week!
We also like Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie Books.