Book Review and Giveaway – Wiggens Learns His Manners

by TwinToddlersDad on April 17, 2010

This giveaway is now closed. Comments #5 and #17 are the winners of this book.

Teaching good behavior and manners to toddlers is not easy! That is why I am so excited to introduce you to this delightful, and surprisingly effective, illustrated book by Leslie McGuirk and co-author Alex von Bidder!

The main character of this book is Wiggens, a chocolate Labrador puppy, who is such a handful for his parents that they don’t know what to do with him anymore! They do, however, manage to find a special and elegant place where puppies of all kinds can learn refinement and good manners. This special place turns out to be the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York city where Wiggens finally manage to learn 10 useful manners with the help of the Saint Bernard!

I loved the illustrations in this book. I am glad that Leslie chose a chocolate Labrador puppy for her story because my son loves anything brown! He was so attracted to the puppy that he sat down patiently with me as I read the story to him and his twin sister. We have been doing this for the last couple of days and I am pleased to report that they are now beginning to memorize the good manners from the book. I am amazed by the effect it has had on them and recommend it highly to all toddler parents!

Check out this video for why there is such a buzz about this book!

And now the good news!

The folks at Candlewick Press were kind enough to donate 3 copies of this book to me. This book is so good that I am keeping one copy for myself, but the other two are up for grabs!

Here is what you need to do to be a lucky winner:

4 simple ways to win (choose one or more if you like in a separate comment)

Leave a comment with an answer to this question: What is your most difficult restaurant manners problem with your toddler (2-5 years old)?
Leave a comment with an answer to the second question: Share a difficult dining out experience with your toddler where you had to manage a “bad manners” situation and how you handled it
Become a fan of the Littlestomaks Facebook page for tips and updates on toddler nutrition
Tell a friend to sign up for the Littlestomaks Facebook page. Look for the “Suggest to Friends” link under the Littlestomaks logo on the Facebook page

Note: to maximize your chances of winning, a separate comment for the above 4 ways to win is required

**Full Disclosure (a.k.a. the fine print)**

You must be a parent of at least one toddler 2-5 years old
Open to individuals only, no commercial outfits
I will select a winner by drawing a random number using random.org. This number will correspond to the number assigned to your comment on this post. So, if you want all your chances to be counted, leave a separate comment for each; not all in one comment
Make sure to leave a valid email address when you fill the comment box
If you win, you will need to send me your mailing address within 48 h of receiving notification or I will draw another winner
Allow up to 2 weeks to receive your book
This giveaway will end at midnight EST on Sunday April 25, 2010

Let’s play!

Share and Enjoy:

Tagged as: Books, Giveaway, Manners, Mealtime behavior, Restaurants

Meredith

Remembering to sit down and not run around is my biggest problem that we have going out to eat.
Meredith

Remembering to sit down and not run around is my biggest problem that we have going out to eat.
Lauren

Toddler Manners Challenge: Very verbal 2.5 year old commenting on other people’s food as “yucky”, USUALLY not loud enough for them to hear. However, when he saw the elderly gentleman being served birthday cake-with lite candle he very LOUDLY proclaimed “That’s yummy cake!” and quite kindly and unexpectedly he was rewarded when the man gave him a piece.
Lauren

Toddler Manners Challenge: Very verbal 2.5 year old commenting on other people’s food as “yucky”, USUALLY not loud enough for them to hear. However, when he saw the elderly gentleman being served birthday cake-with lite candle he very LOUDLY proclaimed “That’s yummy cake!” and quite kindly and unexpectedly he was rewarded when the man gave him a piece.
Heather McDonough

My son just loves to make a huge mess, so I typically am on the floor cleaning before we can leave the restaurant.
Heather McDonough

My son just loves to make a huge mess, so I typically am on the floor cleaning before we can leave the restaurant.
Shannon DiMare

I have a 2,6,9, and 12 year old. When we go out to eat people comment on how well behaved they are.
Shannon DiMare

I have a 2,6,9, and 12 year old. When we go out to eat people comment on how well behaved they are.
Celia

It is hit and miss with my daughter. Yesterday we went for lunch and she behaved well, sat in the high chair, and besides not really eating lunch, she behaved well.
It helps when she sits in a high chair, even though she is four, as it subtly restricts her movements. Which brings me to the main problem – boredom. She becomes bored and wants to move. I do not want her to leave the table, so it becomes a game of how to keep her seated! The day before we also went to out to lunch, and that time we were in a booth with no booster, she spent half the time under the table instead of seated in the seat. I normally take some crayons and paper, or some car toys, but have also resorted on occasion to the portable DVD, low volume as not to be audible to other restaurant patrons.
Celia

It is hit and miss with my daughter. Yesterday we went for lunch and she behaved well, sat in the high chair, and besides not really eating lunch, she behaved well.
It helps when she sits in a high chair, even though she is four, as it subtly restricts her movements. Which brings me to the main problem – boredom. She becomes bored and wants to move. I do not want her to leave the table, so it becomes a game of how to keep her seated! The day before we also went to out to lunch, and that time we were in a booth with no booster, she spent half the time under the table instead of seated in the seat. I normally take some crayons and paper, or some car toys, but have also resorted on occasion to the portable DVD, low volume as not to be audible to other restaurant patrons.
Kim

1. most difficult for us is him sitting still while WE eat our food
Kim

1. most difficult for us is him sitting still while WE eat our food
Sara

My toddler daughter loves to play with her food.
Sara

My toddler daughter loves to play with her food.
http://alifelesssweet.blogspot.com/ cathy

This book looks great! Somehow, books really make an impression on both of my kids. This could really be a useful book around here!

First, what do they need to work on most? Both of my kids get ants in their pants when at a restaurant. They fidget and wiggle and slide out of their chairs. It is probably the biggest sore point when we go out to eat.
http://alifelesssweet.blogspot.com/ cathy

This book looks great! Somehow, books really make an impression on both of my kids. This could really be a useful book around here!

First, what do they need to work on most? Both of my kids get ants in their pants when at a restaurant. They fidget and wiggle and slide out of their chairs. It is probably the biggest sore point when we go out to eat.
http://littlebitthisnthat.blogspot.com Jen @ Little Bit This n That

Saw your giveaway tweeted by @MoneywiseMom and had to enter! Our biggest challenge is also boredom I think. T has a short attention span as it is. Waiting more than 5 minutes for food seems like an eternity (for all of us!). He’s 3 1/2. We do go to sit down restaurants and I bring coloring books or whatever. He is actually pretty good, but would love this book for reinforcement. Thanks!
http://littlebitthisnthat.blogspot.com Jen @ Little Bit This n That

Saw your giveaway tweeted by @MoneywiseMom and had to enter! Our biggest challenge is also boredom I think. T has a short attention span as it is. Waiting more than 5 minutes for food seems like an eternity (for all of us!). He’s 3 1/2. We do go to sit down restaurants and I bring coloring books or whatever. He is actually pretty good, but would love this book for reinforcement. Thanks!
shannon Baas

getting them to sit still
shannon Baas

getting them to sit still
http://www.consumerqueen.com Karen Perea

My son (2) likes to throw food when he is full. Since restaurant portions are so large he starts throwing it on the floor. We try to give him smaller amounts but boy is he quick!
http://www.consumerqueen.com Karen Perea

My son (2) likes to throw food when he is full. Since restaurant portions are so large he starts throwing it on the floor. We try to give him smaller amounts but boy is he quick!
ade

Just general picking up after themselves. Sometimes it’s just easier for ME to clean up after the kids.
ade

Just general picking up after themselves. Sometimes it’s just easier for ME to clean up after the kids.
ade

Fb fan of LittleStomaks. acrook1@yahoo.com
ade

Fb fan of LittleStomaks. acrook1@yahoo.com
Marcia

I took my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter to a fast food restrauant last week and I was suprised how good she was; but, and there is always a but, she was not so good about keeping her hands to herself – my fries looked better than hers.
Marcia

I took my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter to a fast food restrauant last week and I was suprised how good she was; but, and there is always a but, she was not so good about keeping her hands to herself – my fries looked better than hers.
ALYSSA

The hardest thing for us is that my two year old daughter likes to drop things on to the floor if she is done eating them. It makes such a mess!
ALYSSA

The hardest thing for us is that my two year old daughter likes to drop things on to the floor if she is done eating them. It makes such a mess!
ALYSSA

A difficult situation we had to handle with our 2 year old was when she was given a cup with a straw and she wanted to pull the straw out over and over again which caused her water to drip everywhere. We ended up giving her a verbal warning and then took the cup away when she did it again.
ALYSSA

A difficult situation we had to handle with our 2 year old was when she was given a cup with a straw and she wanted to pull the straw out over and over again which caused her water to drip everywhere. We ended up giving her a verbal warning and then took the cup away when she did it again.
Angie Erickson

The most difficult restaurant manners problem is when he throws everything he can reach onto the floor! Hands flying everywhere! Comical but embarassing too!
Great Giveaway!
Thank you!
leka1722(at)live.com
Angie Erickson

The most difficult restaurant manners problem is when he throws everything he can reach onto the floor! Hands flying everywhere! Comical but embarassing too!
Great Giveaway!
Thank you!
leka1722(at)live.com
Angie E

A difficult dining out experience: Throwing food on the floor. I tried not giving him more to eat til he stopped throwing, but not much luck.
leka1722(at)live.com
Angie E

A difficult dining out experience: Throwing food on the floor. I tried not giving him more to eat til he stopped throwing, but not much luck.
leka1722(at)live.com
Angie E

I am now a fan of the Facebook page : “Littlestomaks”
Thanks!
leka1722(at)live.com
Angie E

I am now a fan of the Facebook page : “Littlestomaks”
Thanks!
leka1722(at)live.com
Angie E

I suggested a friend to sign up for the Littlestomaks Facebook page.
Thanks
leka1722@live(dot)com
Angie E

I suggested a friend to sign up for the Littlestomaks Facebook page.
Thanks
leka1722@live(dot)com
http://www.able2able.com Anara

My daughter has Down Syndrome and Autism – shouting because she doesn’t like the noise. I’m trying to get her to wear headphones hoping one day she will be able to use those to block out the noise.
http://www.able2able.com Anara

My daughter has Down Syndrome and Autism – shouting because she doesn’t like the noise. I’m trying to get her to wear headphones hoping one day she will be able to use those to block out the noise.
http://www.able2able.com Anara

Facebook Fan!

Email me at able2able… Your Special Needs Resource Directory if you ever want to write a guest blogger post.
http://www.able2able.com Anara

Facebook Fan!

Email me at able2able… Your Special Needs Resource Directory if you ever want to write a guest blogger post.
http://www.able2able.com Anara

I try to prevent restaurant misbehaviors by bringing a variety of extra entertainment and by preparing my toddlers – we talk about how it will be loud, there will be a lot strangers, music, etc and then telling them how I expect them to behave.
http://www.able2able.com Anara

I try to prevent restaurant misbehaviors by bringing a variety of extra entertainment and by preparing my toddlers – we talk about how it will be loud, there will be a lot strangers, music, etc and then telling them how I expect them to behave.
Julie L

FB fan Julie L
Julie L

FB fan Julie L
Judy B

Our guy is almost 2, and his main misbehavior in restaurants (and at home) is throwing food. Luckily he usually does this only when he’s “done” eating…
Judy B

Our guy is almost 2, and his main misbehavior in restaurants (and at home) is throwing food. Luckily he usually does this only when he’s “done” eating…
shawna

Most difficult seems to be keeping the kids entertained while the food is being prepared. We try to go to restaurants at the times when the food comes out fastest.
mainlandmama at gmail dot com
shawna

Most difficult seems to be keeping the kids entertained while the food is being prepared. We try to go to restaurants at the times when the food comes out fastest.
mainlandmama at gmail dot com
shawna

I became a fan of the Littlestomaks Facebook page.
mainlandmama at gmail dot com
shawna

I became a fan of the Littlestomaks Facebook page.
mainlandmama at gmail dot com
tina reynolds

my problem is keeping the kids from turning around and pestering the people behind them thanks for the chance
tina reynolds

i am a facebook fan (mrstinareynolds)
tina reynolds

my problem is keeping the kids from turning around and pestering the people behind them thanks for the chance
tina reynolds

i am a facebook fan (mrstinareynolds)
Susan

When we take our 5 year old granddaughter and 2 year olf grandson out to eat the big issue is keeping them seated. Then after we do get our food they decide they aren’t going to eat. We don’t take them out together anymore and try to make it a special treat. That seems to work better.

susan56bft at gmail dot com
Susan

When we take our 5 year old granddaughter and 2 year olf grandson out to eat the big issue is keeping them seated. Then after we do get our food they decide they aren’t going to eat. We don’t take them out together anymore and try to make it a special treat. That seems to work better.

susan56bft at gmail dot com
Susan

Littlestomaks fan on Facebook
id:Susan Claus

susan56bft at gmail dot com
Susan

Littlestomaks fan on Facebook
id:Susan Claus

susan56bft at gmail dot com
TRACY HEYER

Trying to keep him in his seat while we are waiting for the food.
TRACY HEYER

Trying to keep him in his seat while we are waiting for the food.
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