Come not to the table without having read this book! You Are Invited What: To share a meal. Where: The Abbotts' house. When: As soon as you open this book. But watch out - the Abbotts and their dogs have absolutely atrocious table manners. They speak with their mouths full, complain about the food they are serving, and argue in front of the company. The Abbotts also violate some more obscure table-manner taboos, such as smelling their meat and staring what's on the plate of a dinner companion. With rules lifted in the vernacular from an early-nineteenth century primer (the full text of the rules is appended), and uproarious pictures that do most of the storytelling, this is a lively and wonderful celebration of good manners