General Description:

In Everyday Graces: A Child’s Book of Good Manners, Karen Santorum has produced for parents and teachers a wonderfully rich and instructive anthology. Her volume speaks to the regrettable fact that the subject of manners is not much discussed anymore, and good manners seem practiced even less. Yet, good manners are a prerequisite for the growth of moral character; they are the habits of conduct and behavior by which we express in the most ordinary circumstances our fundamental respect for others, whether parents, friends, colleagues, or strangers. It is evident, then, that when we fail to instill good manners in our youth we invite a decline of civility and a coarsening of our common life.

Jonathan Swift said, the common forms of good manners are intended for regulating the conduct of those who have weak understanding. Children immediately come to mind. They lack the experience to anticipate what the appropriate behavior toward others should be when engaged in even the most ordinary social settings such at the dinner table, answering the phone, or receiving a gift or favor. Under such headings as "Honor Your Mother and Father," "Please and Thank You," "No Hurtful Words," "Good Behavior in Sport," and "Showing Respect for Country." Karen Santorum has arranged a collection of stories and poems that grows and enriches the moral imagination.

Karen Santorum writes that this anthology grew out of the frustration of not being able to find a book on manners that instructs through stories rather than by rules of dos and don’ts. She and her husband tried and tested many of these selections on their six children. Each of the selections is briefly introduced with a thoughtful commentary at the close. This approach produces an informality and intimacy that is inviting and infectious. Everyday Graces will be useful both as a bedside book and as a reference for home, school, and church library.

"This book is a treasure chest—every story a gem. The knowledge imparted in this book will, indeed, make the world a much better place."
- Elizabeth Dole, US Senator

"Good literature can be an inspiring guide to good behavior. Parents who share this book with their children will thank Karen Santorum for the skill and sensitivity with which she chose its contents. And so will the parents' children when, years hence, they read it with their own children."
- George F. Will, syndicated columnist

"Everyday Graces represents a valuable contribution to the new national trend to emphasize virtues above information, character over skills. Karen Santorum has provided a useful service for all parents who want to encourage more civilized behavior in their children."
- Michael Medved, film critic and national radio talk show host

"Karen Santorum believes that politeness stems from the nature of a person. As the mother of six, she also knows the power of stories to shape and mold the nature of our children. In Everyday Graces, Karen has complied a treasure chest of tales that helps us raise the next generation of children into adults of kind compassion. Everyday Graces is a must for families that desire their children to become people of character."
- Janet Parshall, nationally syndicated talk show host

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