Human behavior is a most interesting subject. Many of us notice when children misbehave and we try to correct them. But hopefully we catch our children behaving appropriately and point it out  to them. Here are some outstanding books to help shape, encourage and motivate children to be on their best behavior.

Let’s begin with manners and etiquette. Emily Post: Emily’s Out and About Book, by Cindy Post Senning, Ed. D., and Peggy Post, and illustrated by Leo Landry, helps youngsters, ages 3 and up, to think about how to negotiate in the adult world. Emily and her mother have much to do in the busy town. By using quiet, patient voices and asking politely for something, we can help young children begin to think more of others and less about their own needs. This is a huge step for this age and this picture book brings this subject out in a nice way making the trip delightful for both mother and child. Don’t forget to check out the informative letter to parents found at the back of the book.

Please Pass the Manners! Mealtime Tips for Everyone, by Lola M. Schafer, and illustrated by Kellie Lewis, teaches young children how to behave appropriately at the dinner table during family meals. This clever board book has a simple sentence describing something that might happen inappropriately at the table, but by lifting the flap, the simple solution will easily resolve the dilemma. “Grabbing and poking are quite rude.” After opening the flap, it reads: “Use the word ‘please’ when you ask for food.” The farm animals make the pictures pleasant and enjoyable to look at while learning how to be polite and follow your p’s and q’s.

Thanks a Lot, Emily Post, by Jennifer LaRue Huget, and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger, is a hilarious picture book about a family who takes Emily Post’s book of etiquette and turns it upside down. The kids don’t want to follow the rules of good behavior but how can they get their mother to get rid of that annoying book? Things start to change when they decide the best way to get that book out of the house is to follow the rules.

The next three picture books help encourage good behavior and character traits. May I Please Have a Cookie?, by Jennifer E. Morris, has recently been reissued and is the perfect little reader for beginning readers as they learn what should be said if desiring a cookie. Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry!, by Samantha Berger, is a beautifully painted picture book full of whimsical pastels as family members teach stubborn Martha that apologizing for being selfish and stubborn will ultimately make her happy. Harriet’s had Enough!, by Elissa Haden Guest, will bring out a familiar topic to families: little ones who want to run away. After Harriet talks back to her mama for not cleaning up her toy room, mama sends her to her room. Now little Harriet has had enough and plans to run away. With her suitcase in hand, her family members soften her heart and she realizes the wrongs she has done.

Modeling good behavior can be best done by example. Here are some excellent books that teach how the Savior would want us to act. The Believe and You’re There series takes scripture stories and delivers them in story-form to Christ’s time. Three children are magically transported in four books entitled: “When the White Dove Descended”, “At the Miracles of Jesus”, “When the Stone was Rolled Away” and “When the Prince of Peace was Born”. All books are by Alice W. Johnson and Allison Warner. There are also pencil etchings sprinkled throughout by Jerry Harston.

The Knights of Right series, by M’Lin Rowley, is similar because there are stories that teach children courage and conviction to stand up for what is right. The first two books are entitled “The Falcon Shield” and “The Silver Coat” with two more coming out next month.  These excellent stories teach children strong moral conduct such as honesty and staying away from drugs. The author was only 17 when she wrote these first two books.

Sean Covey has smallish picture books to help youngsters learn his famous “7 Habits” but these are geared for ages 3 to 6. He has two habit books published so far: Just the Way I Am and When I Grow Up. Both books are illustrated by Stacy Curtis and teach fundamental character traits to help children succeed and be happy. More books are planned to follow his “7 Habits of Happy Kids” series.

And for parents looking to make a change in their lives and help their children succeed, Amanda Dickson’s Change It Up is a quick and easy read full of useful ideas to help your family become better people with a desire to do what is right. There are highlighted portions sprinkled throughout each chapter to help you digest what you just read and to stop and ponder over your own life and how you can change it for the better. Every parent should have this book nearby as it will likely help lift your family up and into a higher and better level.

The last subject I want to touch on has to do with bullying. Here are some excellent books on this subject. Bullies Never Win, by Margery Cuyler, and illustrated by Arthur Howard, shows a young first grader who is intimidated by another girl in her class. After worrying about this girl, she finally comes up with a solution that will surely help others with bullies. This last book is geared for older kids who have this problem and I recommend that parents read through this book with their children. Jay McGraw’s Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies is a book full of life applications of what and how to prepare for those situations where kids are trying to intimidate your older child. It lays out plans of what you can anticipate so you can be ready to overcome the bully without ever laying a finger on them.