Etiquette Books

this book is written in a fun and repetitive style, so that its offers a surprise element and yet predictable text for the child. everyday my 2.5 year-old would ask me to read this favourite book to her, and each time she would be as excited as the first time we read this book, to tell me to flip to the next page to see who rang the bell. i would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun read with a young child.

I first bought this book at my school's bookfair back in the mid-eighties and have loved it ever since. My two year old daughter loves the book with its colorful images and repetition. I'm delighted that its still in print for future generations to enjoy!

Your children will love this story about sharing. The repetitive lines are even perfect for younger kids.

The story is about sharing. good for kids to read.

I have been reading Pat Hutchins books to children for many years. They are all wonderful. The Doorbell Rang is great for learning problem solving, math concepts,and the joy and sometimes the dilemma of sharing!

Not the senders fault, but i keep getting 2 books from different sources evertime i order from Amazon. Very costly to return. Better to buy new at the store. Amazon told me they corrected the cookie problem, but still remains. Oh well....MC

I've only made 5 recipies so far but am overall impressed. The lamb rub was amazing! Not overly impressed though with some, however. My wife hates that there are no pictures, but I like it because I don't have to compare it with my sometimes odd looking creations. A great value overall and a recommended buy.

I LOVE this cookbook! My mother purchased the first edition of this book, many, many years ago (1960's???), and has been using it ever since -- both for entertaining large groups and for special family occasions (the Lasagna, stuffed mushrooms, and Beef Burgundy are always impressive, and are just some of our favorites...) The recipes are easy (never compromising the "elegance") and full of flavor to impress anyone. I've recently moved out of state, and borrowing Mom's book is no longer an option... At age 46, I'm purchasing the new edition, and starting a "new" tradition of "Elegant" entertaining, with my own family and special guests.

Last night sit down dinner party for 13 people was so stress free and everyone loved the food. I have just started to enjoy entertaining because of this book.

This book gives me a lot of confidence to entertain because
1) The food recipes are delicious - guaranteed to impress
2) It's easy to make.
3) I don't get stressed on the day of the party because the book gives me the indication on what do 1 day, 2 days, 3 days in advance. What I do on the day is the final step whether to put the food in the oven, heat in the microwave, mix/add the last ingredients.

My all times favorites are Lasange (with eggplants), Chicken Gloriosa, Grilled Salmon, Tabouleh Salad and Brie& Pesto.

My only reservation is that for someone who lives overseas, some ingredients are hard to find. I also think that there are a few too many phylos recipes in the book hor.

I still give it 5 star because of the value it has given me. Everybody who thinks that they're afraid to entertain should definitely buy this book and start entertaining next week!

Cookbook authors Marion Burros and Lois Levine, who co-authored the original Elegant But Easy cookbook in 1960, team up once again, adapting some of their most popular recipes from the past to today's changing tastes. Fifty recipes from the earlier edition are included here, though all these recipes have been purged of MSG, canned soups, and most convenience foods. Butter, cream, eggs, and cheese are used in reduced quantities, and wherever the authors have been able to substitute low fat for high fat, they do so. This cookbook, however, is not about low-calorie or low-fat cooking. The goal is "pure, simple, fresh-tasting" food, and that sometimes means lots of eggs and fat-based dairy products.

Two of the most appealing sections are Appetizers and Hors d'oeuvres, but these are also sections where those on low-fat diets need to pay attention. Sour cream, Roquefort and cream cheeses, and phyllo dough (brushed with 1 - 3 sticks of melted butter) are heavily featured in the appetizers. In the Hors D'Oeuvres section, however, Hummus, Black Bean Dip, Pickled Shrimp, and Caponata (served on bruschetta) offer great low-fat alternatives to cheese and cream-based spreads.

Imaginative chicken recipes--Chicken Gloriosa (with pineapple, cranberries, and tangerines), Grilled Chicken with Black Bean and Mango Salsa, and Curried Chicken and Apples are delicious and relatively low-fat, with turkey or chicken sausage replacing pork sausage in several recipes. Meat recipes, once the biggest section of Elegant But Easy, have been reduced to fifteen recipes, with a delectable Lasagna calling for turkey sausage, lowfat ricotta, a sauce of red wine and tomatoes, and baked eggplant. Desserts range from simple fruit desserts to a Triple Chocolate Mocha Madness Cake, a complex recipe which takes four full pages of instructions. And for those who loved the Plum Torte in the earlier book, it's here, along with a lower fat alternative, just as good.

The authors always tell how far in advance each recipe can be prepared, how long it can be refrigerated, and whether it can be frozen and for how long. An extensive list of mail order addresses for some of the less common ingredients is included at the beginning, and "Ten Menus with [Step-by-Step] Countdown Game Plans" are included at the end. In short, this cookbook tries to be as "elegant but easy" as the 1960 edition, and it succeeds--as long as you recognize that "lower fat" is not the same as "low-fat." Mary Whipple

Great info on different personality types and how best to get along while
on vacation with one person or several people traveling together. I really enjoyed reading this book.

This book entertains and educates its readers with super tips to help avoid potentially messy situations. You can read it from cover to cover or cherry pick relevant chapters.

I'm glad both my husband and I read this book BEFORE our trip. He finally agreed to do some of the things I like to do on our trip--like going to museums without complaining. This book helped him see the light--that the trip will go a lot smoother and it really isn's so hard to allow time for each other's favorite activities when we are on vacation.

Though the book has some chuckle-worthy chapters that cover topics such as traveling with a spouse, a lover, children, pets, co-workers, friends and in-laws, as well as some insightful texts on traveling alone or going on a honeymoon, overall the text was a bit sophomoric and didn't offer much information beyond the realm of common sense. I might recommend this book to someone who hasn't traveled too often, but for the seasoned traveler or backpacker, this book probably covers situations that you long ago learned to deal with on your own.

I picked up the book as I was preparing for two-couple trip to Eastern Europe, and I thought that there might be some conflicts of interest along the path (it turned out there were!). I thought this book might give me some creative ideas on how to deal with this conflict, but it really did not. If you are under 30, i can guarantee you will find the humor to be of the type reserved for the 50-and-over crowd. Like me, you will probably miss finding a more daring text that deals with more outrageous and modern situations. (So much of the advice is outdated in the book, as it refers to things that simply don't happen in the Internet era, like visiting your travel agent all the time).

I would love to see a similar book by someone with a much sharper tongue, some hard-core worldliness, less social nicety and much more extreme situations. With all the much less innocent 20-something travelers out there, someone should re-write this book but with chapters on "What to do if your travel mate is a lazy bum who doesn't do squat to help cook, clean, make purchases or ask for information", "What to do if your travel partner smells and has really nasty hygiene habits", "What to do if your travel buddy is a sponge", "What to do when you find out your fellow traveler's only interest is in drinking beer and going to clubs", "When your friend will only eat at McDonald's", "To buy a local cellphone or not to buy", "Networking with locals on the Internet before you go" or "What to do if your travel mate constantly abandons you to have flings and sex with people on the travel trail"... These are probably funnier and more up-to-date topics for the twenty-first century.

Can traveling really be hazardous to relationships? Are there people you would never travel with or dread traveling with on vacations? Then this book might present a few creative solutions.

Nadine Nardi Davidson has spent 27 years as a travel consultant and in this time she has assisted many travelers from age 9 to 90. In this book she finally shares all her travel insights and secret tips for staying sane while traveling.

In this entertaining book you will discover:

The Nine Travel Types (You might find you are a little of each, but one will be dominant and it does seem that "shopper" and "culturist" seemed familiar.) Nadine mentions that you might be a combination of travel types.

Travel Etiquette when Traveling with your Employer or Business Colleagues

How to Survive Traveling with Your Friends, Spouse, Pet, Relatives, In-Laws and Kids

The Honeymoon (If there is a hurricane on the way in, leave no matter what your husband says. Ha, ha. )

What to do when your teenager falls in love while you are on vacation

What to do when you take your child's friend along on your vacation

Nadine's writing style is comforting, often humorous and always a pleasure to read. This is one of the most interesting books on travel I've read to date. There are concepts in this book I would never have even considered. On my last trip I used her idea about limiting my wardrobe to one or two basic colors. That would be black clothes as a basic and therefore all shoes could be black too, etc. Nadine is right about packing toiletries. They can truly take longer to pack than your clothes.

Throughout the book you will find real-life stories that are often humorous and always entertaining. This is an insiders view of travel and this book is filled with practical advice.

You will also find travel checklists, information on special airline meals, making a traveler's medical kit and packing tips for trips of 7-21 days. May I also suggest: Smart Packing by Susan Foster.

Whether you are traveling to visit family for the holidays or traveling overseas, this book is an essential guide to enjoying your next vacation or business trip.

~The Rebecca Review

This is a great book! Although it is limited the quality and it's thoroughness are wonderful. Once again a book you could use for more than just wedding showers. The pictures really add to the book and give great visual inspiration. I'm planning a pampered indulgence shower and will be combining ideas from several chapters...it lends to itself beautifully.

Classic elegance on every page, a relief from the "create a tp bride" books that are out there!

First off, this book is written by two editors from Martha Stewart's Living, so you know the ideas and recipes will be wonderful. They are!

My problem with this book is that it is very limited. As a first time maid of honor (AND bridesmaid), I am completely lost as to how to throw a wedding shower. This book has a little bit on the history of the wedding shower and what goes on during one, but that's about it for basic info. After reading this book, there were still many aspects to a shower that I found unclear. I know that there are suppose to be activities/games during a shower, but none were listed. Another problem I have with this book is that all the ideas and recipes require a bit of money to pull off. Silk napkins? Bamboo sake cups? Rose petals in the punch? It's all great and wonderful, but for someone on a tight budget, it's just not going to happen.

So what does this book have, you ask? Four really beautiful themes for wedding showers. With a good amount of pictures. We have "An Afternoon of Desserts" where everything is sort of dainty and pink. Very elegant. There's "Tropical Cocktails" with fun island inspired recipes and decorations. "A Day of Beauty" lacks decoration ideas, but has wonderful favors. Last but not least, "Beach Barbecue" is great for outdoors. Each theme has decoration ideas, menu ideas, and favor ideas. There is also a timeline guide so that you have an idea of when to do things.

Overall, I would recommend this book, but I would *definitely* have other wedding shower books around. This was the first book I purchased for shower planning, and have bought two others since then. I'm now ready to throw a party. :)

Creative and modern ideas for throwing a modern day bridal shower. Exquisite still photography showcasing each shower favor, table setting, food item, and room decor. Very different from the existing bland works that currently sit on the bookstore shelves. Some of the ideas are too posh or "stuffy" for middle America, but the ideas can certainly be adapted to your budget and tastes.

Very "Martha"; Elegant and modern day ideas for various themed bridal showers; not many classy books on bridal showers but this is an exception.

Mainly recipes and focuesed on only three themes: Beach BBQ, Deserts, and Tropical/Asian theme (sake, coconut, etc)...would have liked ideas on the more traditional shower.

We have 5-6 of the Berenstain Bears books that we mix into our bedtime reading library.

This book, "Forget Their Manners," is especially handy for bedtime reading when I want to stimulate a discussion about a lapse of manners at the dinner table.

By the time I finish reading, my children are openly talking about their recent bad manners and resolving to improve their behavior.

I also recommend these other Berenstain Bears' books:

* The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight
* The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Commercials
* The Berenstain Bears and the Truth
* The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Chores
* The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat

In today's culture manners are becoming an increasing issue. Parents aren't sure how to handle their children, without over stepping their boundaries. This book may be a good starting point, on where to begin. The younger the child the better.

This is one of the Berenstain Bears all time classics. It's a wonderful guide to how to achieve better manners in the family.

This book was even better than I thought it would be. My 5 year old actually requests me to read it to her. When she starts to act up, I just remind her to use her manners, just like the Berenstain Bears. Or she will often times use great manners and tell me that she uses good manners just like the Bears. It's wonderful. It's a must-have for all parents with toddlers.

In my opinion, this is THE BEST Berenstain Bears book we have read. It not only does a very good job describing what good manners are, but also why not having them is bad.

The book begins with the cubs displaying some downright familiar examples of bad manners. There is a lack of 'please' and 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry' which leads to the usual sort of familial squabbling. Seeing what's going on, Mama and Papa make a gentle attempt to push the family back on track; but nothing works until Mama creates a chart with a penalty scheme to help everyone 'remember' what appropriate behavior is.

The reaction to the chart is not all that surprising. Brother and Sister Bear think the penalties are unfair. Which is when they decide to undermine Mama's efforts by being so 'super polite' that she will get "fed up and call the whole thing off!" [Ha!] Of course, that doesn't work as we all know that Good Manners lead to harmony and happiness and that you can't really overdo it.

Five Stars. In my opinion this is as good as the Berenstain Bears books get. The message of Good Manners is important, the examples good, and the story is told at just the right level. Okay Read-Aloud.

The message is clear and presented in myriad ways, much humor and some really clever art work. Read each page slowly and don't miss a word or a picture. Your kids and grandkids will demand many repeats. And you will have as much fun as they do!

So good for teaching the "Golden Rules" about being a good friend. Has other languages. So cute.

My children, ages 6 and 4, both loved the book. The story line was cute, so they absorbed the lesson without really knowing there was a lesson to be learned! Of course, an otter tooted in the story, so what four year old boy wouldn't love it! I am bringing this into my preschool classroom to share with those children as well.

Do Unto Otters is one of our favorite books. Not only does it review good manners, but it gives great examples for the use of good manners. It is written in such a way that it really shows children the value of treating others as they wish to be treated. I also think it has helped my children feel more comfortable in new situations by giving them a real behavior code. Meeting other people seems to be less intimidating for them since we've gotten and read this book. It is well written and very nicely illustrated. I recommend it to everyone!!

This is a funny and great way to teach the Golden Rule! These are exactly the topics I want to teach and what a fun way to do it!

I often feel at a loss when sending sympathy cards and this little book is just what I wanted to be able to send along a special thought. It contains simple ideas to make your birthday, anniversary, get well, and encouragement cards sincerely meaningful.

You know when you write cards & just cannot think of how to start it... or maybe end it... well this book is great help for that!!!

I was given this book as a gift, and have purchased several to give as gifts myself. I keep this book with my notecards and reference it each time I am writing a special note. It is especially helpful when writing to someone in a difficult situation. The book is well-organized and succinct -- unlike other options in this category. I highly recommend this book.

I purchased this for my daughter-in-law, who loves to make personal greeting cards. This little guidebook contains of variety of subjects with many choices for "just the perfect message". Worth the price.

This book is a treasure - very useful for 'just the right touch'.

For the amount of money I paid, I was very disappointed with the quality of the item. It was a mini book....not the real size of a normal paperback. That book should have been priced half of what it was priced at. Buyers beware!

I ordered this book for the Lucy Calkins writing workshop series and can't wait to read it to my first grade class! My boyfriend (also a first grade teacher) read it to his class for a lead into writing about "How to be a good friend". Excellent book and really funny!

If you're child has a high-functioning autism or Asperger's I highly recommend this book to help him understand what NOT to do with his peers. It's funny and very tongue-in-cheek.

The book was OK but it was written in a sarcastic way which may not always get through to younger kids (age 5 in my case).

As a school counselor and then as a therapist, I use this book with all ages, 3-18 to teach the basics of friendship skills. It's simple, basic, practical and the most used friendship book I've owned.

One fun key, is to skip the last page on the first reading.
Then have the kids change the story by changing the words, (i.e. how to make friends.)
Then skip the 2nd to last page and go to the last page, which then changes the the end of the new story pictorially. Even though, they may know what you did (the older kids anyway,) they love the trick.
I tell them they are magic and they changed the story.

Both, my 10 and my 8-year-old loved it. It was also a fun read-aloud book.

The Secrets of Ms. Snickle's Class is a great fantasy book. This book, written by Laurie Miller Hornik who is an elementary teacher shows her knowledge of children by writing this extraordinary book. It keeps reader's of all ages excited and interested until the very end.

In this book, the main rule is "NO Telling Secrets." Children relate to this book very well, because all have been told not to tell secrets at one time or another. By the end of the book, children can experience why you shouldn't tell individuals secrets. "Some secrets must stay secret forever," Ms. Snickle said. This book is fun and adventurous and you will find yourself reading from one cover to the next!

The Secrets of Ms. Snickle's Class is a Fantasy book that is sure to delight the minds of any audience. The author Laurie Miller Hornik's experience as a teacher is depicted throughout this book. Her experience is primarily with elementary education. She has taught kindergarten,third, and fifth grade. This year she is teaching seventh and eighth grade English.

The book describes why secrets are important to keep and the harm that can be done when they are told. There was only one rule in the class, Ms. Snickle explained, "Our class rule isn't No Secrets. It's No Telling Secrets." The book offers mystery, imagination, fiction, and allows the reader to think beyond the text. One student, Dennis explaines his ideas about a secret in question form. "Is a secret something that nobody else knows, or that most people don't know?" To find out more about this book and the secrets it beholds, I encourage you to grab a copy and start reading. You will find yourself reading it from cover to cover without any interruption.

The Secret's of Ms. Snickle's Class is one of the best children's books I have read in a long time. It was hard for me to put it down. The book is very exciting and would be an excellent way to let a child's imagination run wild. The characters were well thought out and very detailed. The illustrations were playful and helpful in imagining this wonderful place the author has told about.

The author is from right outside of New York and enjoys her home with her husband, two children, and a pet leopard gecko. She is a schoolteacher who takes inspiration from her students.

The book's main theme is about a fun teacher named Ms. Snickle who likes for children to have fun in her classroom. One rule in Ms. Snickle's class is "No Telling Secrets". She thinks secrets a wonderful and that everyone should have them but it is important to keep them to yourself. Lacey, a little girl in Ms. Snickle's class does not follow the rules and she finds out everyone's secrets, which causes some major problems.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for some fun and adventure in a children's book.

"The Secrets of Ms. Snickles Class is a book based on fiction by Laurie Miller Hornick.Hornich is an elementary teacher in Manhattan,New York.This was her first book for children and was inspired by her third grade class who enjoyed both keeping and telling secrets.The book's theme is based on the effects some secrets have on yourself and other people.Ms.Snickle realized the result of telling secrets and instructed the students in one quote in the book."Ms. Snickle went to the chalkboard,chose a purple piece of chalk,and wrote in clear,large letters NO TELLING SECRETS.After everyones secret had been exposed causing strained relations between the students,Ms. Snickle began a different lesson.Ms. Snickle said,"Forgetting," she explained,"can be just as important as remembering and is much harder to do.Has anyone ever forgotten anything before?"The children than proceeded to forget the secrets,restoring favorable relations within the class."The Secrets of Ms. Snickle's Class" is a good example why some secrets,when revealed,can cause more harm then good and is a good lesson for not only children but also adults.

I have read a few different parenting books and Raising an Adult is the most insightful one by far. The print and layout make it easy to read but most importantly the book contains so many tools to help with day to day parenting. The approach of the author is counter intuitive, things that make so much sense once you read them, but you'd never think of them on your own. Included are great tools to foster open communication with your child and build up the way that the child thinks of himself as well as tools you can give your child how to deal with other children and the real world. This book is great no matter what age your child is. My children are 3 and 20 months and it is so amazing to see how much my 3 year old tells me once I have implemented the advice of this book. In addition, I have found that it helps keep me calm too.

This book was a pleasure to read and simple to implement.

A pleasure to read, because of the charming little pictures all
through out, the encouraging tone, and the fascinating and
insightful analysis of what is at the core of our children and their
behavior. The author refreshingly stresses the need to get to the
bottom of things-he talks about the difference between self-image
and self-esteem, the importance of getting to the root of a
problem, and the crucial need to give difficult children "skills,
not just pills."

And of course, he gives plenty of little and big parenting
techniques that any caring parent can put into practice.

Simple to implement because his suggestions are simple to follow
(not a ten-point plan!!!), and we saw immediate results. The
obvious, positive changes we saw makes it easy to endorse this book
full of practical wisdom.

What a book...what an inspiration...what a wonderful guide for all parents on the path to raising a confident, loving, inwardly peaceful and successful child. But how...there are so many books and advice on raising children...but this is THE ONLY book you will ever need. Mr. Brenner not only shows how to handle the daily problems that arise, but he shows us HOW to PREPARE our children not only for life, but for LIVING. The warmth, compassion and strength of his knowledge comes through on every page. Each page is an empowering toolbox to draw from and feel confident in applying. Just as important Mark guides the parents in how to change our reactions so our children react in a positive way. His 4 tools...are empowering knowledge. Life is what we gave our children, direction and confident guidance for their life is what Mark has provided for us. No matter what the age of your children this is a MUST read....Thank you Mark...you have provided more guidance for life to our family than you will ever know!!!

A wonderful book that provides a path for parents to be the loving, supportive and effetive parents that we want to be. It is easy to read about concepts and agree with them - Mark's book gives us the words that we need to use to start being that loving, efffective parent. I can't tell you how great it felt when my son observed to me "Hey Mommy, we aren't having our fights anymore!"

Written by licensed marriage and family therapist Mark L. Brenner, Raising an Adult: The 4 Critical Habits to Prepare Your Child for Life! is a solid guide for parents to helping children grow up psychologically well-adjusted. The four important critical habits to ingrain while parenting are learning to acknowledge the moment, speak with respect, enforce limits, and show an unrelenting and deep belief in one's child. Additional chapters cover common motivations for misbehavior, how to change a negative self-image, an overview of social development concerns, how to break negative parenting habits and shift one's mindset, and much more. "When disturbing and angry outbursts occur, and when it is practical, remove the child from the situation immediately and calmly. It is difficult to calm a child down in front of strangers or other family members. This only embarrasses and humiliates the child, and upsets your other children as well." Highly recommended for parents everywhere.