How To Behave and Why - Munro Leaf - A Short Summary & Review
How To Behave and Why - Munro Leaf - A Short Summary & Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
A short summary:
How to Behave and Why is a refreshingly straightforward guide to basic etiquette, written for children but applicable to everyone. Munro Leaf strips manners down to their essentials, not as rigid rules meant to impress others, but as practical habits that make life easier, kinder, and more cooperative for all involved.
With simple language and gentle humor, the book explains why manners matter: they help people live together without unnecessary conflict. Rather than focusing on formality or social hierarchy, Leaf emphasizes respect, self-control, and consideration for others, principles that transcend age, culture, and era.
My favorite quote from the book:
Questions to ponder while reading:
My review:
This is, hands down, my favorite etiquette book ever.
What makes How to Behave and Why so effective is its lack of pretension. It doesn’t scold, moralize, or assume superiority. Instead, it treats children and readers as capable of understanding that behavior has consequences and that kindness is not complicated.
The advice is timeless and practical, making it suitable for all types of kids: shy, loud, thoughtful, stubborn, and, honestly, more than a few adults. Leaf’s approach respects children enough to explain expectations clearly while trusting them to rise to them.
In a world that often confuses manners with elitism, this book quietly restores them to their rightful place: as shared social tools that make everyday life more pleasant. Every household could benefit from this one, not as a rulebook, but as a reminder that good behavior isn’t about impressing people. It’s about not making life harder than it needs to be.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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