Just Say Please

by Mercer Mayer, Gina Mayer

Children will learn along with Little Critter and his classmates that being considerate of others is the key to having good manners.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, School

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Mercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.

Reviews

[Little Seesaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little book about good manners. I think my favorite part is, when he asks his dad to please play ball with him. His dad says NO. Little Critter says I guess good manners doesn't always work. I think that it so important for kids to know that just because they have good manners doesn't mean you get what you want.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another example of a Little Critter book that takes a good example of what to present to children (manners) and makes Brother Critter miss the entire point. However, I can't help but still like these books for nostalgia reasons.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for young children!

[Kristen Dutkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Little Critter story for teaching children about manners and how to be polite.

[So_Unhip_Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Issy loved this one when she was little. I was happy to get reacquainted with an old friend!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this books shows that manners are good to use, but that we don't always get what we want even when we have good manners.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

"you dropped your good manners." Best giggle of the book when Little Critter's napkin falls off his lap.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just Say Please starts like an instructional book for kids to learn contemporary good manners, but ends up going for much more than that. Playfully humorous and with a fun plot, this is one in a long line of successful picture books by the team of Gina and Mercer Mayer.

After Little Critter's teacher declares that her class could use a little help developing their good manners, she wastes no time getting them involved in brainstorming ways they can all do better at treating others with respect. Some ideas are simple and painless to implement, such as saying "Sorry" or "Thank you" when the situation calls for it, or refraining from interrupting a person holding a conversation. Other manners suggested are less universally recognized, such as putting a napkin on one's lap before eating, or keeping one's elbows off the dinner table, and it's not a big deal when Little Critter or his family commit infractions in these areas. One of the funniest parts of Just Say Please is when Little Critter's napkin falls to the floor from his lap after he admonishes his sister that the napkin is "good manners." His sister responds, "You dropped your good manners." :-) Classic Mercer Mayer humor. While the overall effect of good manners is praised in Just Say Please, the story lets readers know that being polite doesn't mean everything will go our way. But it's always best to treat others well, and more often than not the positives from doing so will circle back and bless us in return. You could even wind up with a cool sticker to wear, and no little critter should be without one of those.

Mercer Mayer is money in the bank when it comes to writing and illustrating picture books that entertain and educate, and Just Say Please is as strong an effort as ever. Part of me wants to give it two and a half stars. Like everything by Mercer Mayer, I recommend it.

[Hlee Moua · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Little Critter learned in his classroom about manners such as saying, “Thank You”, “Please”, and “excuse me” at the right time and when eating at the table, you shouldn’t put your elbow on the table. His teacher keeps a track of who is using good manners at school and at home. Little Critter also learn more than just good manners but also when he should have good manners. This book will be great to use in the beginning of the classroom and until the last day of school. Children will be remind about good manners and respect his or her peers and everyone else. We will be discussing what good manners are and when we should use them the appropriate way and time.

[Robert Beveridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mercer and Gina Mayer, Just Say Please (Golden Press, 1993)

This is an odd little book. The story part of the story doesn't start until halfway through the book, with the first half being more of a list of politeness rules (once the story gets going, you see Critter trying to adhere to them). While the Bean enjoyed the second half of the book, he was not at all thrilled with the first half, and neither was daddy; not sure how much time we'll be spending with this one even though the Bean is turning into something of a Little Critter fanatic. **

[Meredith Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great to describe to children what proper manners are and how to use them. I have used the book with my children and would definitely use it in my classroom. I would use this to show that everyone should use manners and you should not expect positive feedback just because you are using them, rather they should be proud of themselves.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book because it shows the critter on school learning about manners. It lists some very good manners for children to know through out the book. Then it shows him putting them to practice which is good for children to see.

[Robin Giacomelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful book to help you introduce manners. It helps children see what is considered good manners and that everyone needs a reminder sometimes. I think that it is a good book to read as a family especially since some adults need a reminder sometimes too.

[Belise Michel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to share with young readers about having manners. It is a wonderful book to use for vocabulary building.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story about having good manners and not being a brat when you're asking for something you want.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

:)

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite was where... the ending... where he said "I love stickers" 'cuz he had all kinds of stickers on him.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for a lesson on manners.

[Service Room 12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Wen he got to his desk and all of the kids sat down and then his teacher said they were learning about good manners. By kaylee

[K Morlando · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute story with a cute idea, using the stories of his daily life to teach children.