What Do You Say, Dear?

What Do You Say, Dear? is a 1958 children's picture book that puts a playful spin on traditional manners and etiquette lessons. Maurice Sendak's Caldecott Honor-winning illustrations complement Sesyle Joslin's text throughout the work. The book presents everyday manners and social situations in unexpected and imaginative scenarios. Each scene poses a question about proper etiquette, inviting young readers to consider the correct polite response. The format follows a consistent pattern of setup and response, making it accessible for children while maintaining their interest through surprising story elements. Maurice Sendak's distinctive black-and-white drawings bring the unconventional scenarios to life. At its core, the book teaches social grace and courtesy while challenging the typically dry nature of manners instruction through humor and whimsy.

Readers appreciate this 1958 etiquette book for teaching manners through absurd, humorous scenarios rather than dry rules. Parents and teachers say the silly situations help children remember proper responses while keeping them engaged. Likes: - Maurice Sendak's illustrations complement the text's humor - Short length works well for bedtime reading - Teaches courtesy without being preachy - Memorable enough that readers seek copies decades later for their own children Dislikes: - Some scenarios feel dated (references to pirates, knights) - A few readers find the situations too unrealistic - Limited scope of manners covered Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (190+ ratings) Common review comment: "I memorized this as a child and still remember the scenarios 40+ years later." Several teachers report success using it to introduce manners in early elementary classrooms, with students requesting repeated readings.

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🏆 The book's illustrator, Maurice Sendak, went on to create "Where the Wild Things Are," which became one of the most celebrated children's books of all time. 🎨 Sesyle Joslin and Maurice Sendak collaborated on a follow-up book called "What Do You Say, Dear?" which continued their unique approach to teaching manners. 📚 The book's innovative style influenced a new wave of children's literature in the 1960s that moved away from purely instructional formats toward more engaging, imaginative approaches. 🌟 Despite being published in 1958, the book's humorous scenarios—like meeting a dragon on the street or being served tadpoles for dinner—continue to resonate with modern children. ✍️ Author Sesyle Joslin was one of the first children's book writers to recognize that humor could be an effective tool for teaching social skills to young readers.