Customer Reviews

How to Behave and Why

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is exactly what the title says, How to Behave and Why.
Good advice on character, which, after all, is more important than anything else. The section on Honesty is so true and so concise, no one can argue with it. Mr. Leaf lays out exactly what happens to those who are not honest, fair, strong or wise. No matter what your age, this book gives clarity on the most important aspects of life. I love it. I wish Mr. Leaf's other gem, Manners Can Be Fun, would come back into print asap.

The impact that HOW TO BEHAVE AND WHY had on me is on-going. From my earliest reading memory, My copy--lost along the way-- is a possession I have missed over and over again since it was first published in 1946. Many many regular book searches through the years repeatedly met with no success. So many times I literally pined for this little red book for my children-- especially, even their teen, college, and career years. It's universality is timeless. It's simple truths and stick figures bring impeccablke clarity to the paramount keys to living well in our civilized world. I am so elated to have "searched" this week and FOUND IT RE-PRINTED AT LAST!! Thank you, thank you, for bringing this title back to life. For starters, I just bought 5 copies. Now it's your turn. You will not be disappointed.

I was raised with this book as a young child's guide to good manners in any and all situations. It Works! 55 years later I wish I could give this book to my college students. Amazingly, considering its age, this book is still appropriate to the diverse, multicultural 21st Century.
If you have children, are a teacher, or just want to polish your own manners, take a look at a book that got it right in the 1950s. Highly recommended.

An excellent resource for teaching children how to treat others and reasonings why. The word usage of "stupid" and "dope" may bother some people, but the political correctness was not a consideration for this book written in the 1940's. I think it may be too complex for babies, but my kindergartener is very receptive to it.

While some educational 'progressives' would pooh-pooh Munro Leaf's charming series of books, those of us who actually raise our own children would do well to find and employ as many of his works as possible. In "How To Behave And Why", Leaf gives simple and fun lessons in Honesty, Fairness, Strength and Wisdom; qualities that seem to have waned with the advent of our New Age.

Using stick figures and easy to understand language, Leaf simply tells it like it is - or should be - in ways that kids can easily grasp. Monitions against laziness, frowning, whining, selfishness and avarice, just to name a few, are worked in so well that most kids won't realize they're being given advice. For instance (and consider this was written in 1946) in the section about being Wise:

"Other people have thoughts, ways to do things, ways to work, ways to play, ways they think of God and their country and their race. Their way can be just as right as your way. Remember that, and be glad you have a chance to choose the best of all ways."

Stick some screwball political motive onto that and take God out and you have Political Correctness; how much more simple and true the original sounds.

Parents and courageous educators would do well to begin to hunt for Munro Leaf. Sadly, he's been out of print since before The Great Society, and thus he may be hard to locate. Amazon.com found this one for me, and I was able to locate another title in a local 'very used' book store. Nontheless, his ageless wisdom and whimsical style can and should be used as weapons against the value-neutral and culturally relativistic nightmares that modern education has become. And remember: everybody share - don't take them all for yourself.

Retro look at behavior. Tells readers, "It doesn't matter [who you are]...You still have to get along well with other people and have most of them like you, if you want to be happy." (9) Gives advice on making friends. "[T]here are four main things that you have to do if you want to make good friends and keep them. You have to be HONEST [, FAIR, STRONG, and WISE] (12, 13). For honesty, telling the truth, not stealing, and not cheating are given as examples. Reminds me a little of the school movies on behavior from the 50's ("Real strength comes from having a clean, healthy mind and a clean, healthy body." (40), but still gives some good advice (saying please and excuse me or I beg your pardon (54)). Karen Woodworth Roman , editor www.librarians.info

I found this book to be even more special than "Manners Can Be Fun". The author lays out four character traits (honesty, fairness, strength, and wisdom) with such simple passion, I get a lump in my throat every time I read it to my 4 year-old son. Not a book that deals with blowing one's nose or passing gas, this is still a terrific book that helps build a great human being.

I purchased several copies of this book, a copy for my children and one for each of their classrooms as a gift. This book is easily read by children and to children. It clearly explains the impact of their actions on others and to THEMSELVES and then gives them the choice of what they want to occur in their world. A very basic introduction to the "ripple effect" on world peace. I would also recommend similar books by this same author.
Amy B-G
Monroe MI

This book is simple and to the point. The artwork is stick figures so the kids seem to actually listen more than getting distracted by the pictures. I read it to my 7 & 8 yr. olds, and they enjoyed it, and it prompted some good discussions. We just read a chapter of a few pages each night and then talked about it. It's been a month or so since I've read it to them, so I think we'll read it again soon.

This is a delightful book that will not disappoint. It was written for baby boomers when they were children, but it is definitely applicable today. I read the book to my second grade class the first week of school, and they still remember some of Mr. Leaf's advice halfway through the year. We also read "Manners Can Be Fun." Of the two books, I prefer "How to Behave and Why."

The simple drawings are charming and do not distract the readers (or listeners) from the message of the book. Some people may not appreciate the cautionary approach the book takes. A classic addition to the child's library.