Customer Reviews

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Clifford's Manners

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My 4 year old daughter found this book very interesting for a few weeks. I didn't like some of the examples it used, but only because they required a lot of explanation. It gave us a good starting point to talk about some manners, but also things like movies and the game of tennis. My daughter had never been to a movie before, so Clifford's advice not to disturb others needed some explanation. And showing a game of tennis to preschoolers seemed odd to me, to suggest playing by the rules!

The idea of having Clifford, the Big Red Dog, demonstrate good manners is full of potential fun. Obviously, we all hope Clifford has good manners, because the alternative is too scary to think about!

The book opens with this idea: "Everyone loves Clifford because he has good manners. I taught him myself," says Emily Elizabeth. You will probably want to reinforce the idea that manners are desirable by pointing out some of their other benefits, such as being the right thing to do, avoiding fights, making everyone feel respected, and helping everyone have a better time. The book emphasizes what to do more than why to do it. But parents and grandparents need to have some role in providing help with the social graces.

The book covers saying please and thank you, writing thank-you notes for presents, waiting for one's turn, picking up one's own trash, saying "excuse me" when stepping in front of others, not talking in movies, using a handkerchief when sneezing, sharing toys with friends, putting toys away, following rules (in playing tennis?), talking when angry rather than hitting, being a good sport (smiling when lose and not boasting when win), calling ahead before visiting, arriving on time, knocking before opening a door, wiping shoes before going in, shaking hands or kissing when greeting people, washing before eating, chewing with a closed mouth, not talking while chewing, helping clean up, and saying good-bye and thank you after a visit.

By having Emily Elizabeth support all of these behaviors and having taught them to Clifford, the book sets it up as an expectation that every child should do the same. That's a nice way to establish these practices as the norm, independent of a parent's speaking in favor of them.

The book's weakness is that some of the situations in the examples won't make much sense to young children (movie theaters, playing tennis, writing thank you notes before they can write, and visiting one's sister who lives in another residence). But you can talk about those, and add some new ideas into your youngster's life.

The biggest missed opportunity is that many of the illustrations could have been much funnier. Obviously, there's a fine line here that should not be crossed because a lot of slap-stick could undermine the messages. But just a teeny bit more humor would have tickled my fancy, and made the material more memorable and interesting.

After you finish enjoying this book with your child, I suggest that you think about other examples of good manners that you appreciate providing. For example, even in these egalitarian days, it's still nice to open a door, pull out a chair, and to compliment someone. What parts of the social graces do you most enjoy receiving? Be sure to pass them along, as well.

After you, if you please!

Though (. . .) some of the examples being a bit odd for a preschooler, it's been one of the best books we ever bought for our son (then 2 yrs, now almost 4.) Our son absolutely adors Clifford and we use him (and the book) as a role model. When he starts, or does, something naughty, we'll ask, "Would Clifford do that?" Sounds kinda hokey, but it works.
I so highly recommend this book and have bought it for others as a gift.

The book arrived in terrific condition. I would order from this seller again. This is an unusual Clifford book since it's not a story where Clifford and Emily go somewhere or do something.

I read this book with my first graders on the first day of school to talk about behavior expectations. We based our class rules on it!

I found this book very helpful for teaching my twin sons good manners. They relate to animals.

My son is 4 and loves this book! This book is good learning tool for little ones that love clifford.

I thought that this book was a good book for little kids because it teaches you manner and responsibilty. This book used a good way to teach you good manners. It made learning good manners fun.

this book was ok i mean if you were a little kid you would like it but it does sorta teach you manners