Best Children's Books about Honesty
Children's Books with Lessons on Honesty
Teaching children about honesty and trustworthiness involves more than just teaching them not to lie. These picture books present lessons on telling the whole truth, not deceiving or otherwise being dishonest, telling the truth with tact, and listening to your conscience. Picture books are a great way to help children experience the emotions that come with making honest choices, and make the connection between being honest and earning trust.
If you are looking for some more help explaining honesty to kids, try these Honesty Teaching Resources.
Be Proud of Your Choices- Acting with honesty
Traits: honesty, conscience, forgiveness
When a boy sneaks off for a secret game on his gameplayer, a wise, old tree steps in to help the boy learn that being honest is about more than not telling lies. Sneaking around because you know something is wrong is a kind of dishonesty too, and it doesn’t feel good on the inside. The boy learns to listen to his conscience, grow from mistakes, and enjoy the pride that comes from making good choices. Includes free teaching resources.
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Being Frank
Traits: honesty, caring
Frank is too, well, frank. He prides himself on how honest he is and never lies about anything. But Frank soon learns that you can be honest and be caring of other feelings at the same time. Great social skills lesson on tact.
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Lying up a Storm
Traits: honesty, conscience
Author Julia Cook adds another social emotional learning book to her vast collection with this tale about little fibs that add up to a big lie. The story connects bad actions with bad feelings as the boy's lies lead to a stormy conscience.
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Be Honest and Tell the Truth
Traits: honesty, truthfulness
The Learning to Get Along Series is a staple in character education lessons. In this book, the characters learn the value of honesty, and are introduced to the idea that sometimes honesty requires courage and tact.
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The Boy who Cried Bigfoot
Traits: honesty
In "The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot", we get the age's old morality tale about lying and losing trust, but with a funny new character and plot twist.
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The Honest to Goodness Truth
Traits: honesty, respect, caring
It's important to be honest, but it's also important to care for other's feelings. This story shows kids that there is a limit to how honest you should be. The story illustrates how using tact is sometimes more important than telling the "honest to goodness" truth.
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The Big Lie
Traits: honesty, conscience
Katie wants her friend's toy and takes it without asking. Then she lies about it until her conscience drives her to confess. A simple story with lots of elements about honest actions, lying, and listening to your conscience.
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Berenstain Bears and the Truth
Traits: honesty, taking resposibility
From the popular Berenstain Bears book series, the two younger bears learn a lesson about telling the truth and taking responsibility for their actions.
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Tell the Truth BB Wolf
Traits: honesty, responsibility
The Big Bad Wolf is a new wolf with new ways. But when he's asked to talk about his life, he has trouble telling the truth. The audience (of pigs and other fairy tale characters) calls him out on his lies, and BB Wolf learns about being honest with yourself and taking responsibility for your actions, while his audience learns about forgiveness.
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The Empty Pot
Traits: honesty, courage
A surprising story about a boy who has the courage to tell the Chinese emperor the truth, even when it's difficult. The outcome of the story reinforces the honor in being honest and doing the right thing. Readers rave about the stunning illustrations of traditional Chinese architecture and landscapes.
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