2,156 bytes added
, 15:35, 4 July 2009
{{infobox
|title=Atchoo! The Complete Guide To Good Manners
|author=Mij Kelly and Mary McQuillan
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Another wonderful picture book book from Mij Kelly and Mary McQuillan, this time set on a farmyard of animals who learn and teach each other good manners. Highly recommended.
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|format=Hardback
|pages=32
|publisher=Hodder Children's Books
|date=July 2009
|isbn= 978-0340945254
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340945257</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0340945257</amazonus>
}}
Suzy Sue sneezes, but the animals are shocked when she doesn't cover her mouth. (No swine flu jokes, if you please). They decide to teach her some manners, but Suzy Sue and animals alike soon learn that the most important rule of all is to always be kind.
An etiquette guide for the very young? Well, yes and no. Although there are plenty of useful lessons like don't eat like a pig, ''Atchoo!'' is mostly a fun and funny story with a diverse cast of farmyard characters. There's a great sense of rhyme and rhythm throughout, making it a delightful for reading aloud. Children will love the story of well-meaning but bossy animals getting their comeuppance, mixed with kindness and humour.
Mary McQuillan's illustrations are as wonderful as always. They have a unique style that perfectly suits Mij Kelly's text - I particularly love the way the cows look with their pointy heads. Every animal is brimming with personality and there's so much happening on every page that you'll want to read again and again.
Yes, there's a message, but you don't need to be rude in the first place to get the most from ''Atchoo!'' It'll become a firm favourite for any child of pre-school age. Highly recommended.
My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.
[[Hattie the Bad by Jane Devlin and Joe Berger]] is another great story mixed with ideas of good and bad behaviour. Adults in need of a lesson or two in manners will enjoy [[Talk to the Hand by Lynne Truss]].
{{amazontext|amazon=0340945257}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6441732}}
{{commenthead}}
[[Category:Mij Kelly]]
[[Category:Mary McQuillan]]