How to Speak Politely and Why
by
Munro Leaf
Order:
USA
Can
Universe, 2005 (1934)
Hardcover
Reviewed by Hilary Williamson
I
love this delightful book, first published in 1934 as
Grammar Can Be Fun, How to Speak Politely and Why
. In it, Munro Leaf has great fun personalizing words as stick figures, each with plenty of character.
A
in't
is depicted as a devilish figure lying down, teeth clenched, and with a mulish expression. The text advises, '
Never say AIN'T. That is being just as lazy as he is.
' What you should say instead is presented next, accompanied by drawings of happy kids. The silly looking '
Wobbly Necks
' are
Uh-Huh
and
Un-Un
.
Gimme
is a nasty spiderish figure, greedy arms reaching out in all directions.
Can
and
May
are nicely contrasted. Endings, like '
g
' and '
ly
' are encouraged. Leaf tells us that
got
'
is a weed that grows in sentences
', and that
not
and
no
'
push and shove each other
', and should be kept apart. Pronoun use and verb tenses are also addressed.
I
f your young kids or grandchildren are puzzled by the vagaries of English grammar or, heaven forbid, use words like
gimme
and
ain't
, then get hold of a copy of
How to Speak Politely and Why
and chuckle over its amusing lessons together.
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