Cuida Tus Modales (Minding Our Manners)

Learning to speak in a polite manner can be tough. Sometimes, people receive gifts they don't like, don't want to help out at home, or are just in a hurry! Readers learn that politeness is easy to spread with just a few simple words-"please" and "thank you." Taking the time to thank someone lets him or her know they are appreciated. Saying "please" shows a similar respect. Easy-to-read language aids beginning readers navigating both text and good manners for the first time.

Telling the truth can be difficult and upsetting, especially if the outcome could cause trouble. A lie might seem the easier course when you've broken your brother's favorite toy or haven't yet cleaned your room, though you were asked to. Readers are introduced to the definition of a lie through accessible language and real-life examples. Then, the benefits of truth telling are presented to readers in a way that's easy to understand and apply to their lives immediately. Full-color photographs accompany the text to help readers identify with the outcomes of a lie and the reasons to tell the truth instead.

No matter their age, sharing is one of the most important skills children can learn and practice. It's something they will do at school, home, and even later in life. Through understandable and age-appropriate language, readers learn what sharing is and how to do it. Common feelings associated with sharing are addressed, including the difficulties of sharing and why it's important. Photographs add color and enhance the ideas of friendship that are an integral part of sharing.

Bullying is a problem in every school at every age level. Learning how to stand up to a bully is tough-and so is learning not to be a bully yourself! Readers learn what a bully is and many of the common reasons bullying occurs. The main content clearly states that bullying is unacceptable, and photographs emphasize the negative emotions caused by bullying. In addition, some suggestions on dealing with bullying-as potential bully or bystander-are given to help readers if the situation arises.

Jealousy starts in childhood and doesn't end there! It's very hard to understand why others have things that we want-especially when we know we can't have them. Readers are introduced to this complicated emotion in understandable, age-appropriate language. Full-color photographs illustrate the feeling of jealousy, while the text explains how to deal with situations in which readers might feel jealous. Readers' feelings are acknowledged so they begin to learn that jealousy isn't bad-it's something everyone deals with.

Learning remorse at wrongdoing is tough, especially for children. However, having a few little words to help show that remorse can really speed the process of making up for saying mean things, not sharing, or being rude. Readers see the many situations in which the words "I'm sorry" should be used, including scenarios they may encounter in school or at home. Understandable language helps introduce this important concept and explains how much better everyone feels when an apology is given.