Best Buys
On Your Best Behavior... A Mouse in the House... Celebrating African American and Women's History
Multicultural Manners: New Rules of Etiquette for a Changing Society. Did you know that when you give yellow flowers to people from Iran, Peru or Mexico you may insult them? Or that white flowers symbolize death to the Chinese? Sometimes, without realizing it, we may do or say things that offend. This 290-page book by Norine Dresser gives examples of good intentions gone awry-and explains why. There are also sections on celebrations, religious etiquette and multicultural health practices. No one book can address all cultural differences, but this is a good start. If nothing else, it encourages us to ask friends and co-workers from different cultures, "Is there something special I should know before I come to your home for dinner?" Check your library or bookstore, or order a copy for $14.95 from John Wiley & Sons, 1 Wiley Dr., Somerset, N.J. 08875, (800) 225-5945.
Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress. In this 300-page book, Carol Swain tries to answer the question, "How do the members of the House of Representatives represent the interests of African Americans?" She provides a historical review from the time in 1870, after centuries of slavery, when the first African Americans took their seats in Congress up to the mid-1990s. Then Swain projects into the future where she sees African Americans being elected from a broader range of districts. There are good "insider" anecdotes and personal tidbits about many African American members of Congress. Look for it in your library or bookstore, or order it for $15.95 (paper), $44 (cloth) from Harvard University Press, 79 Garden St., Cambridge, Mass. 02138. You can call them at (617) 495-2577. It's a good book to buy and share during Black History Month (February).
House Mouse, Senate Mouse. It's never too early to teach your children the importance of understanding the political process and getting involved. This 32-page book, written and colorfully illustrated by Peter and Cheryl Barnes, helps you do just that. It takes you into the halls of Congress and shows how laws are made. The same authors also have a book describing life in the White House -- Woodrow, the White House Mouse. Both are available, for $15.95 each, from the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Order by phone at (800) 887-9318, (543-8919 if calling from D.C.) or write them at 200 Maryland Ave., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002. Ask for their catalog. They have lots of interesting things for grownups, too.
Women in Science and Mathematics. March is Women's History Month, and it's a good time to look at the variety of women's accomplishments-including those in math and science. This 22"-by-27" poster might inspire a budding Marie Curie. You might want to buy one for your workplace or an area school. Copies are available for $8.95 from the National Women's History Project, 7738 Bell Rd., Windsor, Calif. 95492, (707) 838-6000. Ask for their catalog; it's filled with handy hints to "write women back into history."
