AT only 9 years old, it will be several years before Alec Greven will be allowed to date.

But the fourth-grader from Castle Rock, Colorado, has taken what started out as a US$3 ($4.50) handwritten pamphlet at his school fair and transformed it into a delightfully illustrated 46-page book entitled How To Talk To Girls.

He's also charmed his way through American media - CNN, the New York Post and the Ellen DeGeneres show.

Of his book, he concedes: 'I never expected people to buy it like a regular book in a bookstore.' But his simple advice, refreshingly devoid of any agenda of political correctness, has struck a chord with boys and girls of all ages.

He recommends cutting down on sugary foods and controlling your hyperness, combing your hair and ditching sweat clothes, and going easy on the compliments to avoid looking desperate.

He advocates the best opener is a simple 'Hi'.

'If I say 'hi', and you say 'hi' back, we're off to a good start,' he explains.

His mother credits his precocity to his voracious reading habits that have him reading books even at the dinner table, much to her consternation.

His school officials say he wrote the book for kids but believe anyone can find inspiration in it.

Some think that men who are good with women are just born that way.

But here's a secret. They were not born with an inherent understanding of social dynamics.

At some point early in their lives, they made a decision to learn about people, including pretty girls, and get good at interacting with them.

Social skills can and should be taught, learned, and practised. And it's never too early or too late.