‘Why I wrote book on etiquette for kids’

Namse Udosen is author of ‘Fundamental Etiquette for Children’. The Primary School teacher here talks about his reasons for the project, the research process, and more. Excerpts:  Bookshelf: There are a whole bunch of things to write about. Why did you decide to write ‘Fundamental Etiquette for Young Nigerians’? Namse Udosen: As a Primary School […]

Namse Udosen is author of ‘Fundamental Etiquette for Children’. The Primary School teacher here talks about his reasons for the project, the research process, and more. Excerpts: 

Bookshelf: There are a whole bunch of things to write about. Why did you decide to write ‘Fundamental Etiquette for Young Nigerians’?

Namse Udosen: As a Primary School teacher, I walk a lot with children. Also, in places I go to I notice gaps in manners, even among adults. A typical example is when you go to an ATM, try to queue and somebody else shunts, or somebody eating noisily in a restaurant, not caring that another person is sitting next to him or her. Sometimes also, you are in a bus and another person begins to play loud music from his or her phone without an earpiece. The individual doesn’t care whether you like the music or not. So, those were the few factors that led me to start writing the book. I decided to begin with children because they are easier to mould.

Bookshelf: How were you able to present this message clearly so children will understand?

Udosen: It was easy to present it in a clear manner because I work with Primary School children and have for most of my teaching life. I understand their language and understanding level. Also, I read a lot of children’s books and pick up a lot of the style and information in them. I am generally a friend to children. I know how to interact with them. It’s just a gift. I teach English and Early Literacy to Primary Two pupils.

Bookshelf: What level of research did it take to put the work together?

Udosen: It took me between three to four years to gather the materials I needed. There was this pamphlet I red written for those studying for the Catholic priesthood which I found interesting. There was also a bookshop with materials on how to raise good children, but it was written by an Indian. I found out that Nigerian children will be unable to relate to some of the information there. I later stumbled upon The Emily Post Institute of Etiquette. I subscribed to their blog and they kept sending me monthly newsletters that gave me a more general and universal approach to etiquette. I soon saw how what I learned could be narrowed down to benefit Nigerian children. There were also other works that contributed, including my personal experience with my pupils. 

Bookshelf: So far, how has ‘Fundamental Etiquette for Young Nigerians’ been received?

Udosen: The reception has been good. I put up some excerpts on social media, while the book was still in the process of being produced, and the responses I got was great. I wanted the children to be an essential part of the book, so most of the reviews were done by my pupils and other children. Parents got interested even before the book was released.  

Bookshelf: What major challenge did you face during the project?

Udosen: It’s basically that of finance, because the writing of the book wasn’t that difficult. There was also the challenge of finding the ideal illustrator. I used over five illustrators before I got what I wanted. I really wanted something that was Afrocentric and Nigerian, something Nigerian children can relate to. I kept on trying because I wanted it to be very good. I had to pay for every level of the work’s production, which included editing, illustrating, and designing.

Bookshelf: Etiquettes vary and children may find themselves in a new environment where things are done differently. How do you explain this to them?

Udosen: The introduction of the book explains the general concept of etiquette and good manners. There’s a point where it talks about understanding the basics, which is, understanding how the next person feels and responding to it. The point here is that, when you go to Rome, you behave like the Romans. It’s not that everyone in a particular society behaves in the same way, but my point is that one should follow how things are done in a particular place and not insist on doing it your own way.

Bookshelf: What advise will you give parents and teachers who may need to guide children through the book?

Udosen: We have activities in the first few chapters to guide parents and teachers in using the book. Apart from that, parents need to study it and see how it applies to their own situation. The underlying purpose is to help children behave better. They need to respect their neighbours, those who may be different from them and people they meet. 

Bookshelf: What is the target reader age group?

Udosen: It’s for children between the ages of eight to 15 years.