Chatty and knowledgeable about today’s etiquette, a little girl named Harriet with red “curly burly” locks demonstrates good words and phrases for all kinds of situations. But it’s not just the words, as she points out, that are important. It’s how, why and when you say them that matter just as much. “Please. . . puts a smile on your words” and “thank you” is “twice as nice.” “I’m sorry” and “excuse me” are trouble words, while “may I help you” can help “make the world nice.” Complimenting someone is important, as is knowing when to speak or not. Joosse presents concepts with just the right child-like appeal and humor to make kids giggle, yet appreciate her advice. Small ink-and-watercolor cartoon drawings of Harriet dressed in purple and pink against an off-white empty background lead the reader through some amusing scenarios and the dos and don’ts of each. Purple hand-lettered style–font for the representative dialogue enclosed in talking bubbles completes the design. Good words of wisdom for the right kind of manners. (Picture book. 5-7)
