In the first fully-illustrated children’s book from The Emily Post Institute, kids 4-7 can read along and watch as young Emily and her best friend Ethan ride the school bus, romp on the playground, visit friends, and eat at restaurants—all while having fun and learning the importance of good manners. With clever text, cool illustrations, and a large measure of humor, Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D., Peggy Post and illustrator Steve Björkman make clear the importance of developing good character and encouraging children to genuinely care for and appreciate others.

Thanks to our sponsoring partners, Parents Magazine, Children’s Place and Collins, Cindy Post Senning will be presenting manners workshops for children in 11 cities across the country, as well as events geared towards parents, teachers and caregivers.

This is the second in a ten book series of etiquette books for children written by Cindy and Peggy. The first, The Guide to Good Manners for Kids, is for 8-12 year olds. (It has just been published in Romanian!) Look for Emily’s Magic Words, for toddlers 2-4, and Manners for Teens in Fall ’07.

Peter and Peggy are asking couples who did something refreshingly different or who added a unique twist to their wedding to tell their story. They will choose stories from those submitted to be used in their upcoming book, Essential Weddings (HarperCollins, Spring 2007).

If your story is chosen we will contact you for additional details and to receive permission to use your story as part of the book. People whose stories are selected will receive copies of Etiquette, (17th edition) by Peggy Post, The Gift of Good Manners by Peggy Post and Cindy Post Senning, and Essential Manners for Couples by Peter Post.

Hands down, the most asked question this summer was: “If I bring a gift to the shower, do I have to bring a gift to the wedding?”

Our answer: These are two separate events that require two separate gifts. Other than for workplace showers, shower guests are also wedding guests. If you attend a shower, you should bring a gift. If you do not attend, you may choose whether to send a gift or not. If you attend multiple showers, you only need to bring a gift to one; you may certainly bring gifts to the other showers, but a card for the honoree is fine, too.

As for the wedding, you should send the bride and groom a wedding gift whether you attend the wedding or not. Gifts are usually sent to the bride after the wedding invitation is received and before the wedding. After the wedding, gifts are sent to the home of the bride and groom. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have a year to send a gift (nor do the bride and groom have a year to thank you!) Send the gift within three months of the wedding. If you receive a wedding announcement, you may choose to send a gift or not, but it is considerate to send a note or card with your best wishes.

Bringing uninvited guests to an event is beginning to outpace “cell phones” as people’s top poor manners peeve.

Does your corporation need an in-house etiquette trainer? The Emily Post Institute’s Train the Trainer Business Etiquette Program will provide you (or your trainers) with the skills, materials and working knowledge to ensure your employees’ personal and professional growth. Peter Post and Cindy Post Senning will coach you through an intensive four-day business etiquette curriculum. You will walk away with all the tools you need to implement (or supplement) a top-notch etiquette training program within your company. Please contact Dawn Stanyon at dawn@emilypost.com for more information on our February 5 – 8, 2007 session in Orlando, FL.

Manners are in the news – unruly children, saying a polite goodbye to a telemarketer, houseguests, bad breath, being a teetotaler among drinkers, obnoxious neighbors and when – and where – to wear a hat. Inquiring minds want to know.