Gelett Burgess wrote, “A Goop is a rude little creature devoid of beauty and grace.” Throughout his numerous drawings and written material, his goal was to teach children to recognize impolite behavior and stray from it as much as possible. When it came to the Goops, his message was clear, “although it is fun to see them, it is terrible to be them.”

Goop Tales, Alphabetically Told is Burgess’ third Goop book, first published in 1904. He took great care in naming each character, and dressing them in festive costumes so as to match the manner they represented. Dedicating a boy and girl character for every letter in the alphabet, Goop Tales goes to great lengths in teaching both the alphabet, and the importance of learning manners and polite behavior.

This volume, reintroduced by Barbara Ross, is lovingly dedicated to parents, educators and home schooling families that strongly believe polite behavior will change the world.