As she watched the author of Choosing Civility turn the pages of a children's book on etiquette, Boi Carpenter-Mellady almost had to pinch herself.
For Boi and her husband, Matthew Mellady, first-time authors and fans of P.M. Forni, awaiting his verdict on their almost-finished book seemed a bit surreal.
After all, it was Forni's book that inspired the ubiquitous "Choose Civility in Howard County" car magnets.
And his 208-page volume containing 25 rules of considerate conduct is used by many as a handbook for living a kinder and gentler life.
"I felt like I was watching my favorite teacher grade my paper," said Boi (pronounced BOH-ee).
The Woodstock couple, both 40, had decided to write their book on kids' manners in spring 2007, initially inspired by the unmistakable cadence of Dr. Seuss.
"I think I was reading Green Eggs and Ham aloud to our daughter, Brynne, who was 18 months old at the time," said Matthew, an attorney with the Justice Department.
When he finished, he riffed aloud in Seuss' distinct rhythm, "What do you say when you meet someone new? You smile, shake hands and say how do you do."
The couple exchanged glances, and the idea to collaborate on a kids' book on manners sprang to life. Within a month, they had a working outline for What Do You Say As You Go Through Your Day?
Passionate about parenting, the pair are equally ardent about etiquette. Their book is dedicated to their only child, now 3, who is depicted in the book's illustrations.
"We had already been discussing how we wanted to raise Brynne to be a citizen of the world," said Boi, a fundraising manager at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Writing the book was a natural extension of that desire, she said.
"We see etiquette as a way to teach children to be responsible and caring individuals," she said. "There has been a decline in civility, we believe, so this book is a return to basics."
Matthew recalled Forni concurring with that notion when the couple met with him last summer.
"He said we were helping to rediscover a lost art and our book was powerful in its simplicity," Matthew said.
Forni, the civility champion who is a native of Italy and a literature professor at the Johns Hopkins University, wrote a favorable review that is printed on the back of the book. He calls the book "a gem ... that delivers powerful messages with a quiet charm."
