The Nice Book

by David Ezra Stein

A perfect introduction to manners and playing nice, by David Ezra Stein—author of Caldecott Honor winner Interrupting Chicken, Pouch! (a Charlotte Zolotow Honor book) and Leaves (recipient of the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award).
 
From cuddling koalas to friendly penguins, an array of animals illustrates fun, sweet, and silly examples of “how to be nice,” showing simple ways young children can show they care for those around them. The lyrical text, funny illustrations and upbeat friendship message make this a great gift and a wonderful introduction to manners.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Board Book

First published October 16, 2008

About the author

David Ezra Stein is an author-illustrator whose previous books include LEAVES, winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. He lives in Kew Gardens, New York.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found David Ezra Stein’s The Nice Book on the list of the 36 children’s books best for adults to read. I’m not sure it should be on the list instead of Julius, the Baby of the World; The Dumb Bunnies; Goodnight Moon, or Squids Will be Squids: Fresh Morals, Beastly Fables — none of which were on that list. But it’s a nice enough — dare I phrase it like that? — book on treating others with empathy for parents and children to enjoy together.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh my goodness, my kids BOTH love this book! If you have 2 of something, share. give hugs! be nice!

[Ashra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a library intern and I may have read this while browsing the collection. help me i am in tears and my heart feels so full

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple but good message.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Look after someone little. We're all little."

With masterful paint strokes and crayon, David Ezra Stein has created a book immediately accessible to kids. Offering words of wisdom regarding talking about your feelings, sharing, and boundaries through anthropomorphic animals, this book is an immediate winner when it comes to teaching young readers about how to navigate this world in a way both gentle and appropriate.

[Janet Luch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The large, bold pictures make it easy to understand the meaning of each word or phrase defining kindness. The colorful illustrations and the cute side comments keep young children's interest. This book is great for preschool and primary grade children as they develop their vocabulary and writing skills.

[Anaya Bradd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows children example of "how to be nice" and things they can do which would consider them being nice such as having manners and playing nice with their friends. At a young age it's good tod to have books like this in the classroom so students are learning everyday how to be nicer and treat others how they want to be treated.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

2.5yo isn’t into new books right now, but he put up with this one. I like the gentle rhyme and the message. It does get a bit bossy at times, but is still a great explainer if what nice is for the toddler set.

[Sue Mosher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this little book about love. "Love was meant to be passed on." Especially loved the endpapers covered in fun, loving words like "magnanimous monkeys" and "benevolent bunnies".

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book about how to be kind to others.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a nice book!

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't too interested in this book.

[Emmett Griffo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theme: kindness, love, friendship, animals

This is a short, quick read but with powerful messages about how to treat others and good for all ages. This is one to own and read over and over again!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think we can use more books like this in our current state of affairs. Wonderful little board book about kindness, listening to others, and how to show compassion.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet concepts, simple pictures, very nice book!

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animals showing love with a word or phrase on each page. Some great vocabulary for kids and good for social emotional learning.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful, sentimental read that can kids understand nice activities. It’s also fun to guess what animal is on the page.

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very subtle way of conveying manners and civil behavior without preaching and social justice hegemony.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Fine but nothing amazing!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to feel cozy today and it fit the bill.

[Cathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet, simple book with a good message, but I can't say that it wowed me. I didn't really enjoy the illustrations--just not my style, I suppose.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nice Book about how to be nice was very nice. Nice words. Nice pictures. Nice sentiments. I nicely recommend you read this nice book to have a nice time with someone little who is nice like you!

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very simple and beautiful. I think we should make a goal to read it every day for a month and see how it changes our children. :) Be nice!!!

[Pinky LO · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some animals demonstrate to the reader how to be nice through sharing, nestling, listening, and more.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so sentimental about books like this that teach kindness and love

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good gift for a toddler.

[Linda Patchett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stein has written another gentle book that has heart and wisdom. He gives children practical advice on being nice. The reader will find the straightforward, rhyming text easy to understand and remember. Examples: "When you get in a snit, don't hit. Say how you feel." or "Sing a Song to Someone or Sing to Yourself." His animal drawings are full of expression and movement which mirror the behaviors and feelings described in the text. I respect that the book's message includes being nice to oneself. The humorous and sweet images are best appreciated in small group for the art is subtle and the book is small. Excellent pro-social book for 3 to 7/8 year olds for home, school, and public libraries.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stein is the author of one of my favorite picture books, _Leaves_, and has created another endearing book reminding readers that "love was meant to be passed on".

A variety of friendly animals (featuring kindhearted koalas, amiable alligators, and lovable lemurs)depict how to treat one another, while variations in font and text size reveal the rhyming advice:
"LOOK...but don't stare. If you have more than you need, SHARE."

The art is done in a combination of sketches and acrylic paint, and has a lively, jovial feel.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book that is elevated to terrific in a few places as in the two feisty red birds " when you get in a snit, don't hit", and the sweet blue mice with the great lines "Look after someone little, we're all little." While all the art is charming, the pages where it just reads "giggle" or "cuddle" don't work as well as where there is the simple one line thought about thoughtfulness. However, that is a minor crank in a book of major charm. Etiquette for the little ones in a most appealing format.