Although these books inspire creativity in the individual child they are also a wonderful resource for Teachers and Educators. With examples of interactions between a diverse group of friends, problems are solved using fun and creative activities.

I have used "A Little Book of Manners for Girls" and "A Little Book of Manners for Boys." To host an assembly for grades 1 - 3 where we played a manners game. Children were selected from the audience, some to act as judges and others to act out good and bad manners. We first discussed, "Why we need, when to use, and how to use manners. Play-acting with their peers, the children were able to appreciate obvious good manners and be surprised how disruptive bad manners really are.

"Let's Have a Tea Party!" and "My Best Friends and Me" are full of ideas for discussions and activities. I have hosted numerous children's events and have had much success with making and discussing invitations, thank you cards, and a "Responsibility Coupon Book" (copyright and trademark pending). Also, ways to avoid a fight, say I'm sorry and how to cheer up a sick or sad friend with a ponytail pal.

A first grade teacher told me she used one particular project in "The Very Best Christmas Ever!" in collaboration with another book. Her class read a book about a Red Bird relocated to New York City. The children made red bird ornaments and decorated their classroom.

"Making My Room Special" explores the issues of responsibility in your immediate surroundings while having fun making projects to decorate and organize. Children learn how to take control of their own immediate space. Some classroom suggestions; have children clean out their closets using the 3-bag method, then bring the 'giveaway' bag to school to donate to a charity. Work together in small groups to create ribbon bulletin boards or fabric box organizers and donate final projects to a nursing home or some organization. Use this opportunity to involve members of the community - invite a decorator or designer into school to talk about what makes a room special.

• My Very First Tea Party
  • Teddy Bear or cuddle toy tea (bring toy from home).
  • Host a Mother's or Grandparents tea party.
  • Decorate invitations - decorate paper hats.
  • Songs, tea for two, I'm a little teapot.
  • Make pretend cookies with playdoh.
  • Set up dramatic play area with costumes and table, chairs, plates, etc.

• My Very First Book of Manners - girls
  and
  
• A Boy's First Book of Manners
  • Discuss model behavior.
  • Make a thank you note.
  • Play act shaking hands, saying "Hello."
  • "Catch" good manners and award with stickers.

• My Very Own Room
  • Child can bring in pictures of their room.
  • Bring show and tell of favorite item, toy etc.
  • Discuss what makes their room unique.
  • Design and color their own class "quilt", it could be squares of paper that children decorate then the teacher could tape together.
  • Paint boxes to look like a dresser, bed, desk etc. and let children arrange the room.

• Nighty Night Sleep Tight
  • Host a PJ party in school. Have children wear PJ's to school.
  • Bring in favorite cuddle toy.
  • Discuss bedtime routines.
  • Sing a lullaby.
  • Use flashlights and make shadow puppets.

• Good Morning Little Sunshine
  • Invite parents to have breakfast in school.
  • Discuss responsibilities in the morning.
  • Use dramatic play area for children to act out how they wake up.
  • Fun stretching exercise.
  • Sing wake up songs.

• My Very First Christmas Book
  • Make stamped wrapping paper - use sponges, hands, and potato stamps.
  • Decorate prebaked cookies.
  • Count candy use for decorating.
  • Make simple ornaments using glitter on pre-cut shapes, use photos from home.
  • Make cards.

Disclaimer: The downloadable pages and images are for instructional purposes only in the classroom. Use of these images in no way warrants ownership or conveys ownership or transfer of copyright to the end user.