Etiquette Books

Cultures celebrate children's coming-of-age in many different ways, but one of the nicest (at least for girls) is the Navajo Kinaalda ceremony, celebrating the girl's maturing into womanhood.

In this real-life story, readers watch as Celinda McKelvey, at age 13, celebrates her maturity over several days at the family's traditional Hogan, used mostly for ceremonies.

In a Navajo blanket dress and buckskin moccasins, specially made for her celebration, and decorated with turquoise and silver necklaces, Celinda grinds corn for a cake large enough to feed the entire family, and she is "molded" into the woman she is becoming, after which she runs into the sun---first at daybreak (since for Navajos, all things begin in the east) and sunset---a way of asking for long life and good health.

The book also explains the resurgence of Navajo tradition after long decades during which the U.S. government forcibly removed Navajo children from the reservation and tried to teach them Western culture, language and job skills.

Learning Western culture and English are of course critically important for success, but not at the expense of children's family lives and destruction of centuries' of tradition.

Growing up is difficult, particularly for girls reaching puberty. The Kinaalda is a beautiful native American way to celebrate the hopes and successes along with the future opportunities too often expressed by fear.

It is a topic that many use slang and euphemisms to describe,or avoid talking about at all. Mother's pass along factual books and try to bravely discuss it with their daughters, who approach it with mixed feelings. "It" has been called many things in American culture, but in Navajo culture, it is celebrated at a Kinaalda.

A young woman's Kinaalda is celebrated around the time of her first menstrual cycle. She celebrates the time when she is being shaped into a woman in a ceremony that lasts two to four days. Photographer and writer, Monty Roessel, allows us to be privledged viewers of 13 year old Celinda McKelvey's Kinaalda. During the ceremony, Celinda wears a traditional blanket dress, takes on the adult role of grinding corn to make a huge corn cake, is literally molded into a woman by the hands of others, and runs a race for blessings of health and longevity. It is a trial of endurance, as growing up often is.

This book presents a view of menstruation that can be difficult to convey to the newly initiated and to those who are still waiting. This book tells us that it is a time to celebrate. It is a time to acknowledge becoming a woman. Celinda is both honored and validated in her new status. She finds support and positive attention during her Kinaalda. Even though many young women outside of the Navajo culture may not want a ceremony for their special time, this book is an asset to own. It is a wonderful way to see this experience across cultural beliefs.

It's wonderful that an updated version of this book was published. The old book was always considered the "international business bible". Times have changed worldwide, so an update is greatly appreciated.

The book is wonderful and the condition is exceptional. Service, as always, was top rate on Amazon!

Whereas some of the new crop of books on business in China bog down on facts and figures doomed to obsolescence shortly after publishing due to the breakneck pace of economic and cultural change in greater China, "Know China Business" takes a timeless principles based approach. Starting with an exploration of the cultural underpinnings of East and West, it informs the reader with knowledge of the salient social and cultural norms of China regarding building relationships and trust, social hierarchy and "face", and notions of self and other as it pertains to the individual and society at large. With this foundation, the reader has a context to understand the many practical suggestions offered within for how to communicate, lead, negotiate and thrive within the Chinese economy. Concise and readable, this book should come to be known as the quick start primer for anyone doing business in greater China.

Well researched concise and very readable. Gives a clear roadmap on how to enter and succeed in the Middle Kingdom. Provides vivid cultural, philosophical and historical context; and solutions for the challenges you will face

I bought this book just a few days ago from the Author. He was wonderful and I think the book is too! It allows children the opportunity to learn their manners in a fun way. It is written very creatively and with wonderful artwork.

I picked this book us for my children age 2 and 4 at the time and this has been one of their favorites ever since. It's been almost 2 years and they still love this book. The boys have taken the book to school for show and tell and now all the teachers and other parents want a copy. It's a great gift. I promise, whether you have a boy or girl...they will love this book and it teaches them manners in the process! Recommend to all parents of young children.

I enjoyed the way the simple lesson of manners was brought into this story with rhyming and beautiful illustrations. This story was short and sweet, keeping the interest of my 4yr old, and helping him to understand the importance of being polite.
Being a preschool teacher, I also found this book as a great tool to use in the classroom when teaching children to respect others.

A touching sweet story/poem about the simplicity and social importance of teaching children manners. It does not deal with punishment but teaches the rewards of good behavior. A must for all new parents and grandparents to read with your little ones and not so little. Sweet and loving illustrations. I would recommend this also for pre-school/kindergarden ccurriculum.

Unfortunately as of the time that I am writing this this book is unavailable through Amazon. I hope it comes back in stock. Many children's books cater to or foster their imagination. I am a big fan of the few that combine a good imagination with a lesson, no matter how small the lesson. In this case the lesson is to always make sure you offer the last serving, in this case a cookie, to everyone before you take it for yourself. Not one of the Ten Commandments, but a little lesson in good manners doesn't hurt.

The story is basically about Maurice wanting the last cookie after dinner, but his mother insists that he asks everyone whether or not they want it before he eats it. He proceeds to keep the cookie in his pocket for six weeks and asks everyone he meets whether they would like the cookie. The cookie is gradually getting more and more inedible. At last he asks an alien if it wants it, but the alien prefers Maurice. The alien follows the same steps as Maurice, and eventually returns him to his mother. His mother finally gives him permission to eat it, but Maurice quickly finds out what a cookie tastes like after being in your pocket for six weeks.

Illustrations are good, the storyline is interesting for kids, and I think it's memorable enough for the reader to learn a little bit of good manners. If not, I think young kids will like it. Probably the 3 to 6 age group. My 2.5 year old son likes it a lot but would probably appreciate it more in a year or two.

This book had me hooting with laughter from beginning to end. My three year old adored the silly names and repetition and wanted to see Arth Robins' illustrations again and again. The text put a highly original and funny spin on a well worn parental saying, which I for one will think twice about using again!

As editor of two other books by John Hook, I know the value of his thoughts and experiences better than most. With experience and top-level responsibility in the military and academia, John is an authentic leader himself and has more than earned the right to share his thoughts on leadership with the rest of us.

Any manager trying to figure out what it takes to make it to the top--and succeed there--need look no further than Leading at the Top. Hook begins by describing the skills you need to survive the pressure cooker environment senior leaders occupy. Better, he provides hands-on tools to manage change and crises, and to cultivate your ability to handle and manage risk.

Four things makes this book so much more useful than others on the same topic:

1. Hook brings a wealth of real-world experience. Besides anecdotes and asides from his own life and career, he sprinkles the stories and precepts of other contemporary leaders throughout the book. They serve to illustrate the principles and propel you through the text. It doesn't take long for Hook to persuade you that he knows--really knows--what he's talking about.

2. At 152 pages, the book is concise and to the point. Unlike so many other books on this topic, there's not a wasted word or pointless paragraph to be found.

3. Hook is a superb writer. His prose flows like whole milk and is just as nourishing.

4. Hook's acumen is impeccable. His analyses of everything from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the woes of today's Catholic Church will open your eyes to angles and options you hadn't considered.

If you want to know what it takes to reach the top and stay there long enough to get something worthwhile accomplished, get this book. Read it carefully, then keep it nearby. You will consult it for years to come--especially when you reach that corner office.

Leading at the Top changed the way I look at executive management-what is means to be a senior-level manager, and how to get there. Among other qualities and attributes, it really hit home the importance of having "nerve" and a high threshold for risk-taking, something that other books on management I've read haven't addressed. I work for a start-up company and recommended to our COO that my company purchase this book for our company library.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to move up the career ladder, and anyone who aspires to reach the top-and succeed there.

These book are wonderful and educational. After reading them so many times you find yourself reciting to your child when you are correcting them. For an example, "Being polite is the best way to be, it blesses our friends and our whole family." I have said this on several occastions when my son is being rude. "Thank you God" is another wonderful book to purchase. Check out the whole collection on behaviors at the nearest book store to see what interests you.

My family has really enjoyed PK Hallinan. He always delivers a great message in a fun way. My two year old enjoys reading this book and I am hoping that she learns to "Be Patient".

Excellent book. The best part of the book is her emphasis on parental involvement and "monkey see, monkey do". For instance, adults don't realize it but they often engage in "bad-mouthing" others (even others' children!) in front of their own children. Of course children hear this and believe another child or adult is "bad", but worse yet, begin to bad-mouth others as a way to act "more adult" and gain power in situations with their peers. It's a problem we as society have in general and the book brings up these and other rarely-thought-of topics. Highly recommended.

This is a great resource for parents trying to rear well rounded, thoughtful children. This is one all parents need to have on the resource shelf of the home library, and it needs to be re-read every couple of years. Ms. Baldrige writes in short sections and gets the point across in a few paragraphs. It certainly gives the mind food for chewing. Thanks Ms. Baldrige for reminding us what really matters.

These are wonderful little books. Just the right size for little hands to hold.
The illustrations are brightly coloured and funny.
They're great for early readers and fun for adults too.
They are written in the UK, so an occasional explanation for certain words maybe necessary, but doesn't detract from the stories?

Just started collecting these for our two kids. They are adorable and are small so easy to store without creating much clutter.