by Janet Blaylock

Created on: August 31, 2011   Last Updated: September 02, 2011

These two books are excellent books to use when you want to teach your children about manners.

In "Giuliana and the Giant," the giant didn't have good manners, and the villagers became irritated because every time he ate loud, burped, slammed his bowl down on the table, or made other loud sounds, they could hear him. His sounds caused their village to shake like an earthquake. They knew someone needed to talk to the giant about his eating, but they were afraid of what he might do to them.

However, one brave man decided to approach the giant and talk to him about eating quieter. After that didn't work, two other men approached the giant, but each one of them failed, too.

Finally, a little girl name Giuliana approached the giant, and after two hours or more, she hadn't returned, so the villagers became worried about her. However, they ate their lunch and waited to see what happened with Giuliana and the giant.

The author compared the sound of the giant's eating to the weather such as an earthquake when he slammed his bowl on the table, or the sound of thunder when he burped. He also described his bowl to the size of a bath and his spoons to the size of saucepans. These descriptions revealed to readers how big he was and his terrible manners.

When Giuliana had gone to the giant's cave, the villagers were surprised that they could eat peacefully. They wondered what happened with the giant. The villagers approached the giant's cave and couldn't believe it when he greeted them and invited them to come inside. The giant didn't like their company in the beginning, but now, he wanted their company. Giuliana had helped the giant to brush his teeth and hair, so he would be more attractive. The giant's attitude changed because someone helped him. He wanted to help others.

The author revealed in his story that if you want someone to do something, you need to be nice to them and help them meet their needs.

In "Henry Burp Mind Your Manners," Henry, a young boy burped after he ate or showed bad manners such as running in the hall or talking in class. The other students didn't like the way Henry acted, but he kept doing it because he didn't think he could stop.

When the janitor talked to Henry, he told him that he acted out everyday this school year. Henry became upset, but he told the janitor that his manners acted out instead of him. Finally, the janitor talked to him about manners. Henry understood, and he began to change his manners.

In both stories, the main characters realized that they didn't like their manners. The giant realized that the girl was being nice to him instead of telling him what to do. Henry had the wrong concept of manners. He thought his manners were separate from him and caused him to misbehave.

Both of these books would help children understand about the concept of manners and what is appropriate.

Learn more about this author, Janet Blaylock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.