A Quest for Good Manners [Hardcover]

Karin Lefranc (Author), Hannah Neale (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2011 | Age Range: 4 and up

A Quest for Good Manners is a Mom's Choice Awards® Gold Recipient.

Rosalind is not your typical princess she and her pet dragon, Sparkler, are very rude. "What's the big deal with manners anyway?" the princess asks. "Why do we always have to say please and thank you? And who cares how we use a napkin?" Appalled by this behavior, the queen banishes the impolite pair from her castle until they find Good Manners. Percival, the wizard, sends them on their quest with the help of a magic fork, facing several challenges along the way. Not until the final test do Rosalind and Sparkler discover the real secret behind Good Manners.
Manners are more than mere rules of etiquette good manners make others feel at ease and are the foundation of compassion and gratitude. It is a never-ending quest for parents and teachers to instill in our children the importance of good manners. This book is a precious tool in achieving that goal. Children and parents alike will love and learn from this story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"a fun and meaningful way to demonstrate to children that good manners are not just boring rules but a show of kindness and consideration to others."--New York Journal of Books 

"Lefranc seamlessly melds instruction with entertainment"--Hartford Book Examiner

"It is difficult for me to review this book without gushing just a little bit.  It has been a favorite in my household since the day that it arrived."--Kids Corner

About the Author

Karin Lefranc teaches etiquette and table manners classes to young boys and girls, as well as self-confidence, agility, relaxation and mindfulness techniques through her Kids Yoga programs.

Born in Sweden, Lefranc lived in three more countries--Lebanon, South Africa and England--before moving to the U.S. for college. She graduated in English from Bard College in upstate New York, and then traveled the world again while working for IDG Books to license the ''Dummies'' series into different languages.

The jet setter and her husband settled down in Simsbury, Connecticut, and Lefranc opened a children's store in nearby Avon called Over the Moon. Aside from selling clothes and children's books, LeFranc offered classes ranging from High Tea & Etiquette to Please Pass the Table Manners.

Lefranc debuts as an author this year with A Quest for Good Manners, teaching young readers why it matters to be polite.

Sometimes her four children--three girls and a boy--need to go on their own quest to find good manners, but they usually find them by the end of dinner.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Beluga Press (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983045909
• ISBN-13: 978-0983045908
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,115,725 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Sweden, Karin Lefranc moved at age three to spend the remaining years of her childhood living in Lebanon, then South Africa and finally England. She has always loved writing, which her career reflects. From writing for newspapers to working for book publishing companies, she finally took a leap to write on her own. A Quest for Good Manners is her first book.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read! A creative, fun approach to teaching children about manners May 12, 2011

By Charlotte, CT, M.Ed, University of Pennsylvania

Format:Hardcover

Karin has unleashed a magical and fun journey that teaches children about the importance of using good manners without them realizing it is happening. The story engages the reader from the very first word and keeps its audience spellbound throughout the voyage with the characters in their quest for good manners. The illustrations superbly compliment the words, as they depict a precocious, sassy Princess echoing the sentiments of a care-free young child, who upon achieving the quest is wondrously transformed into a truly endearing, caring and inspiring role model for young readers.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars KARIN LEFRANC'S "A QUEST FOR GOOD MANNERS" (A REVIEW) May 12, 2011

By GMTA Publishing

Format:Hardcover

I just finished reading this book to my 10 year old daughter and she loved it. Even though the book is written for ages 2 to 8 she enjoyed it very much. The pictures are bright and colorful and interesting! It is all about a Quest for good manners. When the fate of her dragon is on the line, Rosalind decides to go on a quest to find good manners and find out why they are so important. Along the way she meets others that are interested in helping her and her dragon learn how they should conduct themselves when in public.

This book is definitely a must read and would be extremely beneficial in helping parents teach their young children how important it is to always use good manners. A wonderful little book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book helps kids learn the best way possible - while having fun! A must have for parents who care about good manners May 11, 2011

By Jane Costello

Format:Hardcover

As a parent educator, I am always searching for stories that kids will devour, that also reinforce important values. A Quest of Good Manners is just that kind of book. Boys and girls will love the illustrations in this whimsical, but fact filled story, and parents can just sit back and enjoy watching their children absorb the story and the messages of why good manners matter.

All parents hope their children will say please and thank you, but most find that it is difficult to instill these values and good habits. One of the best ways children learn is through modeling and story-telling. A Quest for Good Manners is a must have for parents who want to sneak in these important lessons while giggling alongside their children.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Manners Matter! March 26, 2012

By Stacie Theis

Format:Hardcover

Karin Lefranc's award winning book A Quest for Good Manners is a lively tale of a rude young princess named Rosalind and her equally rude dragon, Sparkler. One night over dinner the queen has enough of Rosalind and Sparkler's rude behavior and declares that they have 3 days to learn some manners.

Instructed by a wizard, Rosalind pulls a magic fork from a rock and their quest for good manners begins. As Rosalind and Sparkler learn to use please, thank you, you're welcome and I'm sorry rubies on the magic fork glow. For the final test Rosalind is gracious to a poor hungry boy by offering him food and water. Satisfied Rosalind and Sparkler have learned good manners Lady Grace sends them home to show the queen all they have learned.

A Quest for Good Manners will entertain children while teaching them the importance of always using their manners and being kind to others.

My daughter also read A Quest for Good Manners and she said, "I liked this book. My favorite part was when Princess Rosalind helped the poor boy. I also liked when Princess Rosalind and Sparkler learned good manners"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandkids Love this Book! September 1, 2011

By Molde Man

Format:Hardcover

My grandchildren ask for this book to be read often. They love the illustrations and the characters. I like the message of good manners and kindness that they get. They are thoroughly entertained by the story and their manners have improved! They say please and thank you and sit nice at the table... most of the time!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastically Fun! August 10, 2011

By Bonnie

Format:Hardcover

A Quest For Good Manners is a fantastically illustrated and fun story about a rude little princess and her pet dragon who are on the search for good manners. This beautiful book is an entertaining and engaging way for young children to learn about how to properly use their manners. Rosalind is taught when to say please and thank you, how to properly eat at the table and how to be kind and compassionate.

I read A Quest For Good Manners with my two and three year old daughters and they absolutely loved it. They were so absorbed with Princess Rosalind's adventures that they had no idea they were learning about manners.

I have to take a moment and comment on Hannah Neale's illustrations because they were absolutely gorgeous! A Quest For Good Manners is full of bright and appealing illustrations. This isn't your typical princess book with fairy dust and soft pastel's. The bright colours and hilarious pictures were enough to make my two little princesses lifetime fans of this book.

With it's fun and exciting adventure based story line and it's cheerful illustrations A Quest for Good Manners is a must have book for all young princesses. Not only did Karen Lefranc write a fun children's story book but she has also found the perfect way to teach (or remind) children about essential manners.

I received a free copy of A Quest For Good Manners from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Teaching Treasure August 4, 2011

By Mommy to 2

Format:Hardcover

Our 4 year old daughter loves this book, especially the dragon. Even our 16 month old becomes enraptured with the pictures. They both choose it to be read to them again and again!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Quest for Good Manners is fun and informative at the same time! August 1, 2011

By Teresa Anne Power

Format:Hardcover

Children should be taught good manners at an early age, and what better way to do that than through Karin Lefranc's wonderful book, A Quest for Good Manners! This book is fun and entertaining, while at the same time teaching children valuable lessons in manners. For instance, Rosalind tries to pull a golden fork from a rock using all of her strength but to no avail. Percival, the old wizard, gently hints that it is how she holds the fork, not her strength,that will help her. She takes his advice and gently pulls the fork out of the rock; she passes the first challenge on her quest for good manners -- "never grab your fork with a fist." Children will be enchanted with the engaging story of how Rosalind and her pet dragon Sparkler journey to find the true meaning of good manners. The illustrations are colorful and whimsical as well. I highly recommend this book!