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How to Be a Person: 65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn before You're Grown Up
For the kid who leaves a wet towel wadded up on the floor or forgets to put a new roll on the toilet-paper thingy, humorous writer and etiquette columnist Catherine Newman has written the ultimate guidebook to becoming a person whom everyone will like being around more. Jam-packed with tips, tricks, and skills — all illustrated in an irresistible graphic novel–style — this book shows kids just how easy it is to free themselves from parental nagging and become a more dependable person — and they’ll like themselves better, too! They’ll learn how to deal with dirty rooms, care for pets and cactuses, stick up for somebody, and fold a T-shirt. They’ll even get a crash course on using the kitchen (including how to turn a 33-cent package of ramen into dinner) and a boot camp for lending a hand outside the house (mowing, shoveling, and fixing something loose has never been easier). This handbook to becoming beyond helpful promises that every kid can be a valued and valuable member of the grown-up world.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2020
178 people are currently reading
2956 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
November 24, 2019
**Thanks to the Storey Publishing, LLC., Catherine Newman, the author, and to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
This book is wonderful for middle school age children to learn basic every day life skills. This book teaches the proper way to do everything from household chores to writing letters, filling out forms, caring for the lawn, cooking some food, how to interact properly on the telephone, taking care of pets, being polite to others, and just how to do so many other life skills. In my opinion, this book is the perfect gift for every middle grade age person. It would help them learn to become a better person. I also love the images used in the book, they really help add to the descriptions and are drawn in a cartoon way that is enjoyable for the content. To be published May 26, 2020. I highly recommend this book!
This book is wonderful for middle school age children to learn basic every day life skills. This book teaches the proper way to do everything from household chores to writing letters, filling out forms, caring for the lawn, cooking some food, how to interact properly on the telephone, taking care of pets, being polite to others, and just how to do so many other life skills. In my opinion, this book is the perfect gift for every middle grade age person. It would help them learn to become a better person. I also love the images used in the book, they really help add to the descriptions and are drawn in a cartoon way that is enjoyable for the content. To be published May 26, 2020. I highly recommend this book!
October 31, 2019
This is an excellent resource for middle graders and early young adults. It covers a wide variety of practical social and life skills in a brief and entertaining way. The illustrations add to the fun. Some adults may think some of the things covered are obvious, but keep in mind they're only that way to you because at some point you learned it! I especially appreciated the sections on things like writing letters (or formal emails) and how to address envelopes. Those things used to be taught in schools but are becoming less common. Highly recommended!
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
May 27, 2020
My Thoughts
Of course I was a kid myself years ago (gasp, go my kids! You were a kid once?! just kidding….), and I had to or automatically learned many of the skills outlined in this book. They were things we did, simply because. The present generation, and the skills they learn automatically, are different, and thus makes this book more necessary.
As a parent who constantly shifts between letting my kids (teens) learn by practice or even more effective, from their mistakes, and badgering them on the hows-whats-whys of the everyday tasks that are seemingly mundane but totally important, and simply giving up and letting them figure it out when they need to do it all by themselves, this book is a boon. While we try to inculcate many of these and I do know that my teens know at least part of these very basic skills, there are some that get missed because we don’t realize it needs to be taught or it gets lost in all the eye-rolling!
This book helps with all those missed skills, and the humor, cuteness factor, and practical, no-nonsense as well as age-appropriate (no speaking down), plus non-parental conversational style along with the fun two-tone cartoons definitely strengthens its cause.
It includes the following sections:
Other Beings (How to Care For the People, Pets, and Plants in Your Life)
Saying it Right (How to be Kind and Get Your Point Across)
Dirty Things (How to Clean and Care for Your Home)
Edible Food (How to Make Meals and Find Your Way Around the Kitchen)
You’re Wearing That (How to Clean and Care for Your Clothes)
Your Two Cents (How to Get, Give, and Spend Money)
Useful Skills (How to do Basic Important Things)
So there you have it, from watering plants to writing a thank you note to addressing envelopes, and from boiling an egg to folding clothes and figuring out whether to buy that item all your friends have as well as to use that screwdriver, this book teaches it all. And I loved the pop quizzes sprinkled throughout the book!
In Summary
Definitely recommend this for tweens and younger teens; and just about anyone who will benefit from these basic skills.
Hint, hint: A perfect gift item for the young one of this age group that you know (even if it is your own!)
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC of the book; these are my honest opinions after reading this book.
Of course I was a kid myself years ago (gasp, go my kids! You were a kid once?! just kidding….), and I had to or automatically learned many of the skills outlined in this book. They were things we did, simply because. The present generation, and the skills they learn automatically, are different, and thus makes this book more necessary.
As a parent who constantly shifts between letting my kids (teens) learn by practice or even more effective, from their mistakes, and badgering them on the hows-whats-whys of the everyday tasks that are seemingly mundane but totally important, and simply giving up and letting them figure it out when they need to do it all by themselves, this book is a boon. While we try to inculcate many of these and I do know that my teens know at least part of these very basic skills, there are some that get missed because we don’t realize it needs to be taught or it gets lost in all the eye-rolling!
This book helps with all those missed skills, and the humor, cuteness factor, and practical, no-nonsense as well as age-appropriate (no speaking down), plus non-parental conversational style along with the fun two-tone cartoons definitely strengthens its cause.
It includes the following sections:
Other Beings (How to Care For the People, Pets, and Plants in Your Life)
Saying it Right (How to be Kind and Get Your Point Across)
Dirty Things (How to Clean and Care for Your Home)
Edible Food (How to Make Meals and Find Your Way Around the Kitchen)
You’re Wearing That (How to Clean and Care for Your Clothes)
Your Two Cents (How to Get, Give, and Spend Money)
Useful Skills (How to do Basic Important Things)
So there you have it, from watering plants to writing a thank you note to addressing envelopes, and from boiling an egg to folding clothes and figuring out whether to buy that item all your friends have as well as to use that screwdriver, this book teaches it all. And I loved the pop quizzes sprinkled throughout the book!
In Summary
Definitely recommend this for tweens and younger teens; and just about anyone who will benefit from these basic skills.
Hint, hint: A perfect gift item for the young one of this age group that you know (even if it is your own!)
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC of the book; these are my honest opinions after reading this book.
May 13, 2020
This is an amazing How To book for kids! It is divided into seven chapters, each addresses a topic. For example, Saying It Right covers apologies, thank you notes, and addressing envelopes among others. You're Wearing That? gives laundry tips (including how to remove stains) and how to sew on a button. The information is immensely practical, but is presented in a winsome and often humorous way with colorful, complementary illustrations. Newman expands beyond the physical realm to include information on philanthropy and tips on being happy. Highly recommended for six and up.
Thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2019
This is a really cute, helpful little book for kids. While it's geared towards kids ten and up, a lot of these are things that I'd hope they'd already know like how to be a good house guest or answer the phone. Most of these are things your average kid will know by the college years so this is not one of those "how to adult" books (but maybe I overestimate what we teach teens these days?). These are much more basic -- how to vacuum a room, address an envelope, wash the dishes, use a debit card, pack for a trip, care for a house plant, etc. They are also generally very basic. For instance, how to care for a pet is mostly give it love, make sure to do the gross things you are supposed to do to care for it, and find out specifically how to care for that pet.
Sections are (in my words): pets and people, cleaning, cooking, money, clothes and skills. Don't expect a lot of variety or detail. For instance, the cooking section tells you how to roast a whole chicken and turn ramen into a healthier meal, scramble eggs, add more flavor to food, make a smoothie, and a few others. I disagreed with a couple of the directions for some skills, namely how to sort laundry (she sorts laundry into two piles -- whites for hot and everything else is colored for warm or cold, which does not work at all for my family's laundry).
There are fun, colorful illustrations throughout. All in all, this is a charming little book that is likely to teach a thing or two to most kids and young teens.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
Sections are (in my words): pets and people, cleaning, cooking, money, clothes and skills. Don't expect a lot of variety or detail. For instance, the cooking section tells you how to roast a whole chicken and turn ramen into a healthier meal, scramble eggs, add more flavor to food, make a smoothie, and a few others. I disagreed with a couple of the directions for some skills, namely how to sort laundry (she sorts laundry into two piles -- whites for hot and everything else is colored for warm or cold, which does not work at all for my family's laundry).
There are fun, colorful illustrations throughout. All in all, this is a charming little book that is likely to teach a thing or two to most kids and young teens.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
January 18, 2020
How To Be A Person is a guide for kids that shows them how to do lots of everyday things, such as housework, cooking, wrapping a present, building a fire, using tools, etc. It even tells kids how to help others and how to be kind.
This would be a wonderful gift for any kid, and for some adults too (Myself included. I still can't wrap a present.) The instructions are presented in an easy to understand, but also sometimes humorous way that is fun to read.
I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publishers. My review is voluntary.
This would be a wonderful gift for any kid, and for some adults too (Myself included. I still can't wrap a present.) The instructions are presented in an easy to understand, but also sometimes humorous way that is fun to read.
I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publishers. My review is voluntary.
December 7, 2019
*thank you to Netgalley, Catherine Newman and Storey Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
4 stars.
Wow. This book is so informative about so many different everyday things us adults do on a daily basis. It's a wonderful book that I think will also boost children's self-esteem as they find they are able to accomplish these daily tasks. I wish I had a book like this when I was a kid. It's such a great idea!
4 stars.
Wow. This book is so informative about so many different everyday things us adults do on a daily basis. It's a wonderful book that I think will also boost children's self-esteem as they find they are able to accomplish these daily tasks. I wish I had a book like this when I was a kid. It's such a great idea!
November 1, 2020
A "how to" book of sorts, aimed at kids aged 9-13 or so, covering a wide list of useful life skills (65.), ranging from good manners and responsibility to cleaning, caring, cooking, etc. The writing is light, with a healthy interspersion of humor and colorful illustrations. Sadly, people of all ages could learn from it but won't.
Read
May 6, 2021This is an amazing How To book for kids! It is divided into seven chapters, each addresses a topic. For example, Saying It Right covers apologies, thank you notes, and addressing envelopes among others. You're Wearing That? gives laundry tips (including how to remove stains) and how to sew on a button. The information is immensely practical, but is presented in a winsome and often humorous way with colorful, complementary illustrations. Newman expands beyond the physical realm to include information on philanthropy and tips on being happy. Highly recommended for six and up.
August 23, 2021
Cute, useful, with surprisingly deep insights.
January 10, 2021
توی این کتاب نویسنده با زبونی خیلی ساده و خودمونی مهارتهایی رو به بچهها آموزش میده که بسیار ارزشمند هستن و ارزش بعضیهاش رو خیلیها تازه توی سیسالگی میفهمن! :) بهخاطر تفاوت فرهنگی بخشهایی از کتاب کمی غیرکاربردی به نظر میآن، ولی در کل واقعاً کتاب خوبیه
February 14, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is a practical yet entertaining at the same time, book for children aged 10+ that is aimed at making learning to do general things for themselves independently, fun!
Many things in this book as an adult you may think a 10+ year old should know how to do, but if your an adult reading this (like myself) please don't be critical because all children are different and unique and have different learning stages and interests.
This book guides children through general things such as chores like using a washing machine, doing laundry, how to make simple meals like boiling an egg, how to write a letter properly, how to do basic DIY, how to make a bed and how to sew a button on to clothing etc.
As adults we often forget that we had to learn all these things ourselves once and if we think back to that time, remember how satisfying and rewarding that achievement was. This book will definitely bring that to the child reading and doing those things from this book.
This is a practical yet entertaining at the same time, book for children aged 10+ that is aimed at making learning to do general things for themselves independently, fun!
Many things in this book as an adult you may think a 10+ year old should know how to do, but if your an adult reading this (like myself) please don't be critical because all children are different and unique and have different learning stages and interests.
This book guides children through general things such as chores like using a washing machine, doing laundry, how to make simple meals like boiling an egg, how to write a letter properly, how to do basic DIY, how to make a bed and how to sew a button on to clothing etc.
As adults we often forget that we had to learn all these things ourselves once and if we think back to that time, remember how satisfying and rewarding that achievement was. This book will definitely bring that to the child reading and doing those things from this book.
August 28, 2023
Impulse grab at the library. I didn't expect to get anything out of it myself, but rather was curious to see if it would have anything I've neglected to help my kids learn. But right off the bat is 'how to care for someone who is sick' and I know I'm not good at that (outside the immediate family) and I expect I will be in that situation as my extended family ages, so, yeah, I'm gonna read the whole thing.
---
Yeah, lots of good info. here. I love how it promotes the use of a headlamp and rechargeable batteries, and reusable water/iced tea bottles. It even mentions The Story of Stuff documentary & project!
And it's 65 'units' with several 'hacks' in each. Really lots of stuff.
It also talks about choosing experiences, especially outdoors or with friends, over buying stuff. And it talks about choosing a charity, fighting injustice, doing good, as well.
I'm going to photocopy the page about making one's own salad dressing. I know that I can and should, but I've just not gotten around to it and this makes it look both easy & delicious.
"The placebo effect is a really powerful tool! Just because something is 'all in your head' doesn't mean it's not real. So if you tell yourself that whatever you're doing is going to help you fall asleep, it will." "... keep cell phones out of your bedroom. You want to create an association between bed and sleep."
"... We sometimes jokingly called stores 'thing museums' to put us in a looking-rather-than-shopping mind-set."
The minimum tip for delivery, even of a single Uber Eats sandwich, is $5. We do that, but I bet most people don't.
Anyway, this is such a rich book, really for all ages not just tweens & teens. My husband definitely has needed to learn a lot of this stuff from me. Far too many people don't know how to budget.
What it doesn't have is more advanced stuff. Hopefully it encourages readers to eventually learn their own skills, like sharpening their kitchen knives, replacing old & wasteful shower heads, checking fluid levels in their car, etc.
Get in the habit of being a lifelong learner!
Start here, as this is an enjoyable and easy read about some of the most important things.
---
Yeah, lots of good info. here. I love how it promotes the use of a headlamp and rechargeable batteries, and reusable water/iced tea bottles. It even mentions The Story of Stuff documentary & project!
And it's 65 'units' with several 'hacks' in each. Really lots of stuff.
It also talks about choosing experiences, especially outdoors or with friends, over buying stuff. And it talks about choosing a charity, fighting injustice, doing good, as well.
I'm going to photocopy the page about making one's own salad dressing. I know that I can and should, but I've just not gotten around to it and this makes it look both easy & delicious.
"The placebo effect is a really powerful tool! Just because something is 'all in your head' doesn't mean it's not real. So if you tell yourself that whatever you're doing is going to help you fall asleep, it will." "... keep cell phones out of your bedroom. You want to create an association between bed and sleep."
"... We sometimes jokingly called stores 'thing museums' to put us in a looking-rather-than-shopping mind-set."
The minimum tip for delivery, even of a single Uber Eats sandwich, is $5. We do that, but I bet most people don't.
Anyway, this is such a rich book, really for all ages not just tweens & teens. My husband definitely has needed to learn a lot of this stuff from me. Far too many people don't know how to budget.
What it doesn't have is more advanced stuff. Hopefully it encourages readers to eventually learn their own skills, like sharpening their kitchen knives, replacing old & wasteful shower heads, checking fluid levels in their car, etc.
Get in the habit of being a lifelong learner!
Start here, as this is an enjoyable and easy read about some of the most important things.
January 13, 2021
From simple lessons such as "how to answer the phone", "how to wrap a present", or "cheer somebody up" to more intricate tasks including "how to pack for a trip", "how to apologize", "how to set the table", "calculate a tip", "sew a button" or even "roast a chicken".
This book covers it all and it should be given to every single kid!
This book covers it all and it should be given to every single kid!
July 8, 2021
This is wonderful! And my 12yo *did* read it and like it! He was reluctant when the introduction acknowledged it was probably given to him passive-aggressively by an adult, but he dove back in when I showed him the bit about folding a fitted sheet, which says, “Just kidding. Go ahead and wad it up like a normal person.” 😂
This is cute and conversational without being all “HelLo FelLow KiDS,” and it assumes nothing is too basic to be explained while also not treating readers like they’re dummies. I can imagine giving it to someone as young as 8 or 9 or someone moving out for the first time. The range of topics is impressive (cooking, cleaning, laundry, money management, writing thank-you notes, making apologies, donating to charity, sewing on a button, plunging a toilet, building a fire, asking “How can I help?,” the list goes on), and the text is always right to the point, even while including tiny details like telling you to squeeze the extra water out of the dish sponge and put it where it goes when you’re done using it. I’m buying a reference copy to keep.
This is cute and conversational without being all “HelLo FelLow KiDS,” and it assumes nothing is too basic to be explained while also not treating readers like they’re dummies. I can imagine giving it to someone as young as 8 or 9 or someone moving out for the first time. The range of topics is impressive (cooking, cleaning, laundry, money management, writing thank-you notes, making apologies, donating to charity, sewing on a button, plunging a toilet, building a fire, asking “How can I help?,” the list goes on), and the text is always right to the point, even while including tiny details like telling you to squeeze the extra water out of the dish sponge and put it where it goes when you’re done using it. I’m buying a reference copy to keep.
October 30, 2019
How to Be a Person by Catherine Newman is such a gem!! I requested this book because we have been talking with our 9-year-old about basic yet important life tasks lately. As parents, we are quickly realizing how many things we will be guiding our kids through during the next stage of parenting life with tweens and teens..and it can feel a little daunting!
I love that these simple yet important life skills. are covered in a simple and easy to consume manner. This book is filled with tips and tricks and has a perfect balance of information and humor. I found it was an enjoyable read and our son found that the writing was accessible and relatable.
How to Be a Person covers a wide array of topics like how to take care of houseplants, implement a money management system, create a simple and balanced meal or write a condolence card. I can't wait to add a copy of this book to our home library, I know it will come in handy for years to come.
I love that these simple yet important life skills. are covered in a simple and easy to consume manner. This book is filled with tips and tricks and has a perfect balance of information and humor. I found it was an enjoyable read and our son found that the writing was accessible and relatable.
How to Be a Person covers a wide array of topics like how to take care of houseplants, implement a money management system, create a simple and balanced meal or write a condolence card. I can't wait to add a copy of this book to our home library, I know it will come in handy for years to come.
October 17, 2019
I have mixed feelings on this book. I loved the playful illustrations and the random "fun" facts (did you know, you can mail a potato if you have the right postage on it?!).
And "How to write a thank you note" is one section I think everyone -whatever their age - should read up on.
But some of the topics (like how to be a welcome guest or gracious host) seem to me like things parents would be naturally teaching by example (hopefully!). Ditto to how to answer a phone politely or write out an envelope. With the kiddo in my life, I never "taught" these things or bought them a book about it - they just learned it as if my osmosis. But with topics like making a bed, cooking spaghetti, or vacuuming, perhaps those are the kinds of tasks that parents assign without explaining them thoroughly. This book does that - with graphics. The "How to make money" section was the one that caught my 10 year's old eye, though!
And "How to write a thank you note" is one section I think everyone -whatever their age - should read up on.
But some of the topics (like how to be a welcome guest or gracious host) seem to me like things parents would be naturally teaching by example (hopefully!). Ditto to how to answer a phone politely or write out an envelope. With the kiddo in my life, I never "taught" these things or bought them a book about it - they just learned it as if my osmosis. But with topics like making a bed, cooking spaghetti, or vacuuming, perhaps those are the kinds of tasks that parents assign without explaining them thoroughly. This book does that - with graphics. The "How to make money" section was the one that caught my 10 year's old eye, though!
February 6, 2020
Received an ARC at ALA Midwinter
This book is perfect for tweens and teens that need to learn the necessary skills to be a functioning person. It has the perfect amount of humor, mixed in with easy, concise directions and hand-drawn graphics that makes this an amazing book to buy. From topics such as, how to load a dishwasher, to how to write a thank you note, and even how to save money and why it is important. I recommend this book highly. Hand it to your tween/teen when they want you to treat them like a grown-up and say, it's time for you to do your own laundry. Good luck!
This book is perfect for tweens and teens that need to learn the necessary skills to be a functioning person. It has the perfect amount of humor, mixed in with easy, concise directions and hand-drawn graphics that makes this an amazing book to buy. From topics such as, how to load a dishwasher, to how to write a thank you note, and even how to save money and why it is important. I recommend this book highly. Hand it to your tween/teen when they want you to treat them like a grown-up and say, it's time for you to do your own laundry. Good luck!
October 25, 2019
10/5 stars!! I want to buy a copy of this for myself and every kid I know! this Is such an amazing book! it covers so many important life skills in simple terms kids old enough to read it on their own can understand it on their own too. This IS a must own book for sure!
November 17, 2022
Great little book for teens or neurodivergent young people.
January 30, 2023
ada gak sih buku tutorial menjalani kehidupan? YES ADAAA 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
we all agree adulting is ✨HARD✨. Banyak hal yg harus dihadepin sendiri tanpa diajarin sama guru atau orang tua kita sekali pun. Berapa banyak dari kita yg tau cara berterima kasih dan meminta maaf yang benar?💭 nyambut tamu? 🚪 etika ngirim email? 💌 trik nyuci baju? 🧺 toilet mampet? 🚽 hingga nominal tips ke waitress? 💸
Memang ada fase dimana kita kudu kejadian dulu baru belajar kemudian. Belum siap ngapa-ngapain eh udah ditodong 🤦🏻♂️. Well, glad you found this book yang terbagi dalam 7 bahasan:
1. Gimana peduli sesama, hewan, dan tumbuhan 🫂
2. Gimana bersikap 🧍♂️
3. Gimana bersihin rumah 🧹
4. Gimana memasak 🍳
5. Gimana ngerapiin pakaian 👕
6. Gimana ngedapetin, ngasih, dan ngatur uang 💰
7. Gimana ngelakuin hal penting lainnya ✏️
Buku ini menyajikan 'how-to' di berbagai basic life skills in fun and quirky ways. Cocok dibaca para remaja apalagi yg baru ngerantau😂🫵. Meski mengadopsi budaya barat tapi tetap menghibur sekali saat melahapnya karna masih sering ngalamin kondisi yg ada di sini.
we all agree adulting is ✨HARD✨. Banyak hal yg harus dihadepin sendiri tanpa diajarin sama guru atau orang tua kita sekali pun. Berapa banyak dari kita yg tau cara berterima kasih dan meminta maaf yang benar?💭 nyambut tamu? 🚪 etika ngirim email? 💌 trik nyuci baju? 🧺 toilet mampet? 🚽 hingga nominal tips ke waitress? 💸
Memang ada fase dimana kita kudu kejadian dulu baru belajar kemudian. Belum siap ngapa-ngapain eh udah ditodong 🤦🏻♂️. Well, glad you found this book yang terbagi dalam 7 bahasan:
1. Gimana peduli sesama, hewan, dan tumbuhan 🫂
2. Gimana bersikap 🧍♂️
3. Gimana bersihin rumah 🧹
4. Gimana memasak 🍳
5. Gimana ngerapiin pakaian 👕
6. Gimana ngedapetin, ngasih, dan ngatur uang 💰
7. Gimana ngelakuin hal penting lainnya ✏️
Buku ini menyajikan 'how-to' di berbagai basic life skills in fun and quirky ways. Cocok dibaca para remaja apalagi yg baru ngerantau😂🫵. Meski mengadopsi budaya barat tapi tetap menghibur sekali saat melahapnya karna masih sering ngalamin kondisi yg ada di sini.
February 19, 2021
Such a fantastic premise for a book! It doesn’t cover EVERYthing, but the range of topics it does touch on is excellent. Wonderfully illustrated!
July 19, 2024
I'd just read Catherine Newman's second adult novel and saw that she's written books in other genres, including this middle grade nonfiction guide, How to be A Person. I love the title and had to check it out!
This would be an excellent book to gift a new teenager or even a lot of young adults.
A basic compilation of things a kid can learn to grow to be their best selves through kindness, competence, and independence. Practical life skills, as well as ways to act with good manners and caring. How to be a welcome guest. How to be a gracious host. How to write a thank you note. How to apologize. How to do basic household tasks; laundry, dishes, and cleaning. How to calculate a tip. (And more.)
I've witnessed so many high school graduates who don't know how to write a thank you note (if they bother to at all). I'm thankful that Catherine Newman wrote this book. Not all kids have someone to guide them with this stuff.
It's not exhaustive, but it's a good start, and a great idea!
This would be an excellent book to gift a new teenager or even a lot of young adults.
A basic compilation of things a kid can learn to grow to be their best selves through kindness, competence, and independence. Practical life skills, as well as ways to act with good manners and caring. How to be a welcome guest. How to be a gracious host. How to write a thank you note. How to apologize. How to do basic household tasks; laundry, dishes, and cleaning. How to calculate a tip. (And more.)
I've witnessed so many high school graduates who don't know how to write a thank you note (if they bother to at all). I'm thankful that Catherine Newman wrote this book. Not all kids have someone to guide them with this stuff.
It's not exhaustive, but it's a good start, and a great idea!
January 23, 2020
I love this book! This 160 page wonder contains 65 hugely, useful, super-important skills to learn before kids are grown up. The author has created a must-read for ages 10-14, and some adults too. The book presents valuable advice to kids before they enter into adulthood.
The author offers an amazing manual... how to become a person whom everyone will love and want to emulate. Here are the topics that are covered:
* Becoming Your Best Self, 6
* Other Beings: How to Care for the People, Pets and Plants in your Life, 9
* Saying It Right: How to be Kind and Get Your Point Across, 33
* Dirty Things: How to Clean and Care for Your Home
* Edible Food: How to Make Meals and Find Your Way Around the Kitchen, 79
* You're Wear That? : How to Clean and Care for Your Clothes, 101
* Your Two Cents: How to Get, Give, and Spend Money, 123
* Useful Skills: How to Do Basic Important Things, 14
* Thank You, 160
The cartoon-style illustrations greatly enrich the message of the book. Newman gives valuable advice which she sprinkles with humour and without parental nagging. Kids will learn basic life skills and life lessons and the proper way to do them. The book explains how to write a thank you note, a condolence card, use a screwdriver, be caring and kind, how to vacuum a room, use a debit card, pack for a trip, wrap a present, build a fire, and do housework, just to name a few. It states these skills not in a preachy way, but in a practical, helpful way that most kids can accomplish.
This book will boost a child's confidence and self-esteem. It informs the reader in a playful, easy, and understandable way. "How To Be A Person" would be great in every middle-school classroom and in each school library. I highly, highly recommend this wonderful book!
The author offers an amazing manual... how to become a person whom everyone will love and want to emulate. Here are the topics that are covered:
* Becoming Your Best Self, 6
* Other Beings: How to Care for the People, Pets and Plants in your Life, 9
* Saying It Right: How to be Kind and Get Your Point Across, 33
* Dirty Things: How to Clean and Care for Your Home
* Edible Food: How to Make Meals and Find Your Way Around the Kitchen, 79
* You're Wear That? : How to Clean and Care for Your Clothes, 101
* Your Two Cents: How to Get, Give, and Spend Money, 123
* Useful Skills: How to Do Basic Important Things, 14
* Thank You, 160
The cartoon-style illustrations greatly enrich the message of the book. Newman gives valuable advice which she sprinkles with humour and without parental nagging. Kids will learn basic life skills and life lessons and the proper way to do them. The book explains how to write a thank you note, a condolence card, use a screwdriver, be caring and kind, how to vacuum a room, use a debit card, pack for a trip, wrap a present, build a fire, and do housework, just to name a few. It states these skills not in a preachy way, but in a practical, helpful way that most kids can accomplish.
This book will boost a child's confidence and self-esteem. It informs the reader in a playful, easy, and understandable way. "How To Be A Person" would be great in every middle-school classroom and in each school library. I highly, highly recommend this wonderful book!
February 11, 2020
First of all as I read it as an adult, it sounds pretty simple and primal because concepts discussed are basic and instinctive for adults.
But definitely young kids who are facing social isolation due to increasing use of technology and promotion of individualism.
It teaches basic things to kids like taking to sick relative, talking on phone, tying tie and shoe lases, making a sandwich, packing a gift etc.
These are most basic skills for navigation in social circles.
Artwork is good and funny at many points.
Book is in spacey outline with brief captions.
A gift for a toddler to familiarise him with basic social rules and basic skills.
A few skills mentioned are little bit hyped up or not required commonly like addressing envelope etc.
Their is list of useful links at end of the book related to learning and science.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.
But definitely young kids who are facing social isolation due to increasing use of technology and promotion of individualism.
It teaches basic things to kids like taking to sick relative, talking on phone, tying tie and shoe lases, making a sandwich, packing a gift etc.
These are most basic skills for navigation in social circles.
Artwork is good and funny at many points.
Book is in spacey outline with brief captions.
A gift for a toddler to familiarise him with basic social rules and basic skills.
A few skills mentioned are little bit hyped up or not required commonly like addressing envelope etc.
Their is list of useful links at end of the book related to learning and science.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.
December 3, 2019
Loved the introduction, particularly the request for feedback from the children. Overall I thought this was a lovely concept, beautifully executed. I thought the content was pitched just right and that the tone was perfect. I will be purchasing a copy for my child and recommending to my friends and family for their little cherubs.
June 3, 2020
I read this to see how much might be useful for my 15 and 16-year-old children. I was amazed at how much my children have failed to absorb, in spite of numerous attempts to teach them. This book covers everything from how to load a dishwasher to how to balance a checkbook. This is an absolute necessity for any child just leaving the nest. I am NOT kidding! It explains how to get a point across without being rude, how to be a good guest, how to take out the trash (a skill neither of my children have mastered), how to clean a toilet, and even how to sweep. The list of amazing tasks this book covers goes on and on. Trust me when I say this book is necessary unless you have children who consistently pay attention and do their chores without being prompted. If you have children who've been diagnoses with severe ADD, as I do, this is a book that will come in handy. It even explains how to cook a quesadilla, so your kids won't starve. I love this book!
May 28, 2020
How To Be A Person is written by my favorite author/blogger/lazy cook recipe writer (if you’ve had my rhubarb crumb bars, they’re Catherine’s recipe and the BEST). Catherine’s writing on parenting (especially in Catastrophic Happiness) makes me feel like she is reporting from my home or at least that we are kindred souls. How To Be a Person is full of things every parent wants their kids to know but doesn’t think to teach (or tries to teach over and over but they won’t sink in until someone else explains them).
Catherine has a way of engaging kids through her down-to-Earth, we’re-in-this-together style of writing. The illustrations add to the fun feeling of the pages.
When our copy arrived, I enthusiastically showed my 12 year old son all the great info inside. He rolled his eyes and had no interest in even looking at it. Two days later, he asked me to remind him how to scramble eggs. I just pointed to the book. He grudgingly picked it up and found the page on “How to Scramble Eggs”. The next morning, I caught him reading it from cover to cover, page by page. Success! This will be an excellent reference book for my kids, and I highly anticipate needing to buy extra copies for them to take with them when they move out on their own.
Catherine has a way of engaging kids through her down-to-Earth, we’re-in-this-together style of writing. The illustrations add to the fun feeling of the pages.
When our copy arrived, I enthusiastically showed my 12 year old son all the great info inside. He rolled his eyes and had no interest in even looking at it. Two days later, he asked me to remind him how to scramble eggs. I just pointed to the book. He grudgingly picked it up and found the page on “How to Scramble Eggs”. The next morning, I caught him reading it from cover to cover, page by page. Success! This will be an excellent reference book for my kids, and I highly anticipate needing to buy extra copies for them to take with them when they move out on their own.
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July 16, 2020Cute book
January 26, 2021
Sending that student off to college, want to give a bridal shower gift....This book tells you just about anything: how to make a bed, how to cook a chicken, how to sew a button!!! Highly recommend this book.
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