Focus on... exhibit


The Focus on... exhibit in the Allen North Lobby showcases the Libraries' collection by highlighting books and other material on a subject. Displays will change throughout the year.

All books on display can be checked out.


Archive of past displays

New Books Lists



Email comments to focuson@lib.washington.edu

Children's Courtesy Books


The Goops

The Goops they lick their fingers,
And the Goops they lick their knives;
They spill their broth on the tablecloth--
Oh, they lead disgusting lives!
The Goops they talk while eating,
And loud and fast they chew;
And that is why I'm glad that I
Am not a Goop--are you?

"The Goops" by Gelett Burgess
from The Goops and How To Be Them (1900)

Courtesy or conduct books aim to teach children and teenagers to behave in ways that uphold a particular system of values. The collection of materials chosen here shows a changing portrait of how young people have been expected to behave and how expectations of behavior have changed over time. One can also reflect on how gender specific and culture specific these expectations are. The books included in the selective bibliography below were written by American and British authors.

To explore courtesy books at the University of Washington Libraries try using the following subject headings in the library catalog:

The Library Subject Page on Children's and Young Adult Literature has several useful links to resources for research in this area.

Selective Bibliography of Courtesy Books available in the University of Washington Libraries.


Created by: focuson@lib.washington.edu
Last modified: Thursday May 01, 2008