The first collection of abridged versions of Munro Leaf’s most popular children’s guides to proper behavior—featuring retro, midcentury modern illustrations, this is the perfect gift for grandparents, parents, and children alike. Renowned children’s book illustrator and author Munro Leaf captured the whimsy and innocence of childhood for an entire generation of young readers. Now, more than fifty years later, those same readers are passing these stories down to their children and their children’s children, and Leaf’s collection of children’s books has reached iconic status.    Collected here for the first time in one affordable volume are selections from some of Leaf’s most beloved childhood guides. With a charming mixture of fatherly concern and kindhearted humor, and without ever coming across as a scold, Leaf has helped generations of American children (and adults) learn how to behave like proper grown-ups (in grown-up company), how to speak politely, to enjoy reading, and even to remember to brush their teeth.  With over 500,000 copies of his beloved books in print, this new edition will bring Leaf’s unique voice to an entirely new group of young readers. PreS-Gr 3—Perhaps best known as the author and illustrator of The Story of Ferdinand, Leaf also wrote several beloved guides on proper behavior and manners. Four of his guides, originally published over 50 years ago, are abridged and collected in this attractive volume. Accompanied by naive-style, stick-figure illustrations, the book opens with Leaf's "Six Best Rules for Getting Along in Life." Most adults will be pleased to see that these include being honest, fair, healthy, polite, friendly, and wise. Some of the advice is age-old and has weathered the test of time quite well, such as admonitions against stealing and cheating and suggestions to share and take turns while playing with others. Other aspects will ring a sour note with many modern readers, such as the use of the term Eskimo or the description of a bully as "a stupid person." Students of children's literature and sociology, and those interested in changes in cultural mores and attitudes toward children over the last century will likely be intrigued by this collection of popular mid-century manners guides.—Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal "With a charming mixture of fatherly concern and kindhearted humor, and without ever coming across as a scold, Leaf has helped generations of American children (and adults) learn how to behave like proper grown-ups (in grown-up company), how to speak politely, to enjoy reading, and even to remember to brush their teeth. . .  How to Be: Six Simple Rules for Being the Best Kid You Can Be  is very highly recommended for personal, community and academic library collections and will ably serve to introduce Munroe Leaf's work to a new generation of appreciative young readers ." - MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW Munro Leaf is best known for The Story of Ferdinand , first published in 1936 and a best seller ever since. To date, his books have sold over half a million copies. He died in 1976 at the age of 71.