This manners book for young children includes the basics, of course, with some more unusual but helpful suggestions, too. Each double-page spread shows a child in a situation that calls for a particular response; a flap on the right-hand page, when opened, provides it: "If I step on someone's foot, I say... [flap opens] 'I'm sorry,'" with the illustration showing a little ballerina apologizing to a large ostrich in ballet shoes. Isadora uses expressive pen-and-ink lines together with watercolors against white backgrounds, with lots of yellow and pink making each page cheery and energetic. The book is neatly square, with thick pages and with flaps that are carefully folded so the pictures line up perfectly. Humor shines throughout, as when a birthday package bounces across the page with what clearly are bunny limbs and ears sticking out. Parents and children alike should appreciate the spread devoted to a very common, if rarely addressed in polite company, situation: "I farted. So I say...'Pardon me.'" A final spread has flaps on both sides, with many of the characters greeting a child and dog arriving home in a striped hot-air balloon, saying, "It's great to see you again!" With lots of opportunities for children to notice things in pictures and to make predictions about what happens next, this is both entertaining and useful in helping them learn what's expected. Susan Dove Lempke

PreS-Gr 1 Utterly adorable, delicate pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations adorn this lift-the-flap book. Characters include a plethora of zoo animals as well as some imaginary animals, such as a rainbow unicorn and a mermaid. Each animal interacts with a person (there is wide representation throughout the book). Manners are presented with a scenario and when the flap is lifted an appropriate response is shown. Children will love reading this book over and over, to find the fish in a bib wearing a party hat, an ostrich in ballet shoes, and a well-dressed panda and piglet eating an ice cream cone on a bench. VERDICT A delightful purchase for all libraries where little ones are learning the value of courtesy and respect for others.Tracy Cronce