Please is a Good Word To Say

An Interview with Harriet, of Please Is a Good Word to Say

by Barbara Joosse

Harriet: Ms. Joosse, I really like your hat. It's ruby-red, my favorite color, and it has feathers on it.
Barbara Joosse: (blushing happily) Thank you! I am very fond of hats. Harriet, you've written a book about manners. Why?
H: Some people talk and talk and talk or they're fighty or gross or bossy or whiney and sometimes they even make other people cry. You know what, Ms. Joosse? I think if presidents and prime ministers had better manners, we'd have a nicer world.
BJ: I couldn't agree more. Sometimes adults are very rude. But aren't manners kind of, well . . . stuffy?
H: Manners are like maraschino cherries. They make everything taste better, except for Brussels sprouts, which I've tried, of course. I'm pretty sure nothing can help Brussels sprouts.
BJ: No kidding. Now shall we sing a thank you song?
H: Let's.

Oh thank you thank you thank you
from the tippy bottom of our painted toes
to the tippy top of our curly burly hair.
Ta-da!