These children's books about honesty and trust illustrate characters listening to their conscience and understanding the effects of dishonesty on others. They also start discussions on characters who lie, cheat and don't always think about the consequences of their actions.
Honesty and Trust
An honest person is someone truthful and reliable. They are typically fair-minded and have a strong sense of integrity. On the other hand, a dishonest person is deceitful and untrustworthy. They often have little regard for others and often act out of self-interest.
Honesty is the foundation of trust, and relationships cannot thrive without trust. Additionally, honesty is essential for making good decisions. When people are honest, they can more easily identify their right choices.
As adults, when we know someone is honest, we can trust them, but it can take children some time to connect the two. Children are prone to exaggeration, which may seem innocent enough, but as they age, this can lead to mistrust and related social issues.
Why Read Children’s Books about Honesty and Trust?
Telling the truth isn't always natural for children. They know honesty is the best option, but it may mean disappointing someone. Children may lie to avoid punishment or protect their friends. Teaching children to be truthful in their actions and words helps them develop healthy relationships and be seen as trustworthy.
Picture books about honesty tell stories illustrating the importance of being truthful and building trust-based relationships. You can use these stories to open up discussions with your students about why honesty and trust are important and the consequences of dishonesty.
As adults, when we know someone is honest, we can trust them, but it can take children some time to connect the two. Children are prone to exaggeration, which may seem innocent enough, but as they age, this can lead to mistrust and related social issues.
Picture books focusing on honesty show children the importance of being truthful and handling difficult situations with integrity.
Honest and Trustworthy Characteristics
Reading these children's books about honesty illustrates characters who:
- Show integrity.
- Are truthful and trustworthy.
- Listen to their conscience.
- Understand the effect of dishonesty on others.
- Show loyalty and fairness.
- Stand up for their beliefs.
- Have healthy relationships.
- Have a happier mindset.
As well as these positive characteristics, you will read about characters who lie, cheat and don't think about the consequences of their actions.
Questions to Use with Children’s Books about Honesty
- What is a lie?
- Why do you think people lie?
- Is it ever okay to lie? Why or why not?
- Explain if you think it is easier to lie or tell the truth.
- What are some of the consequences of lying?
- Are some types of lies more severe than others?
- Is there ever a time when it is okay to lie? Why?
- Is it okay to keep quiet rather than tell the truth?
- Is it ever wrong to tell the truth?
- Why do we tell the truth? Why are some people dishonest?
- How do you know if you can trust someone?
- What does it mean when you trust someone? What signs or actions do you look for?
- How did [character] honesty/dishonesty affect the story and the other characters?
- How would the story have changed if [character] had been honest in the first place?
- What words would you use to describe [character's] actions?
- Why do you think [character] was dishonest? What is the evidence?
- How do you think [character] felt when they were lied to? How do you feel when someone lies to you?
- Why do you think [character] did/didn't trust [character]?
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Children’s Books about Honesty
A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon
Camilla Cream loves lima beans but won’t eat them because her friends hate them. A mysterious illness causes her to become what others think she should be. No one can figure out what is wrong until Camilla realises she just needs to be herself and not bow to peer pressure.
Reinforces themes of balance, self-esteem and growth mindset.
Colette's Lost Pet by Isabelle Arsenault
Colette explores her new neighbourhood, and another child asks what she is doing. Not knowing what to say, she says she is looking for her pet, a parakeet. Soon, community members search for the (fake) pet, which gets more impressive every time Colette talks about it. Finding the lost bird gives Colette the perfect opportunity to make new friends.
Promotes discussions on exaggeration, friendship, new home, honesty, and community.
The Colour Thief by Gabriel Alborozo
Zot, an alien from a colourless world, visits Earth to find his own happiness in its colour. He steals the colour, including an orange balloon, from a small boy. Zot takes off in his spaceship but changes his heart when he sees the devastated child.
The Colour Thief promotes discussions on honesty, kindness and friendship.
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
Jasper Rabbit loves carrots, especially free ones; this is until the carrots begin stalking him and watching his every move. The tension builds as Jasper’s imagination goes into overdrive. He devises a plan to stop the carrots but will it be the success he hopes for?
Creepy Carrots reinforces themes of overcoming fears and honesty.
A Day's Work by Eve Bunting
Francisco helps his grandfather find work by lying that he is a gardener. They are hired by Ben to work on his garden, but they pull out all the plants instead of the weeds. Abuelo returns the next day to complete the job correctly before taking his wages.
Promotes responsible decision-making, honesty, integrity and trust.
The Empty Pot by Demi
An Emperor challenges the children in his kingdom to grow a seed. Ping loves flowers and tends lovingly to his seed. But when Spring arrives, he only has an empty pot to show the Emperor.
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big by Berkeley Breathed
Edwurd Fudwpper's humongous fib gets him into trouble with the military, a dogcatcher and a three-eyed alien. It takes his little sister, Fannie Fudwupper, to rescue him.
This rhyming book promotes honesty and responsibility.
Found by Jeff Newman
Jenn still misses her beloved dog, who went missing a long time ago. She finds a lost dog who she calls Roscoe, and grows to love him. When she spots a missing poster for Roscoe, she has to make a very difficult decision.
Found is a wordless book that promotes empathy and compassion.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to School by Davide Cali
A boy explains to his teacher he is late to school because of giant ants! A chain of events, including cannonballs, evil ninjas, and an elephant parade followed this!
Promotes cause & effect, making connections and sequencing.
The Grizzly Bear Who Lost His GRRRRR! by Rob Biddulph
Fred the Bear is training for the Best Bear in the Woods competition. When Boris the Bear steals Fred’s roar, his friends rally around. He realises it is best to forgive Boris, who soon sees the errors of his ways.
The Grizzly Bear Who Lost His GRRRRR! promotes discussions on forgiveness, integrity, honesty and respect.
A Hen for Izzy Pippik by Aubrey Davis
Shaina finds a magnificent hen belonging to Izzy Pippik. While looking after the hen, the town becomes overrun with rowdy chickens. She protects the bird through her determination and standing up for what's right.
This strong female character is full of compassion, integrity and honesty.
The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack
Libby has been telling the absolute truth since her mama told her, “Tell the truth and shame the devil.” When everyone gets mad at her, she realises there is a right way to tell the truth.
Read The Honest-to-Goodness Truth to discuss honesty, integrity, and trust.
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
This is the first of two children's books about honesty by Jon Klassen. Bear asks the animals if they have seen his lost, red, pointy hat, but they all deny seeing it. He feels dejected and worries he will never see his hat again. When a deer helps him remember, the bear confronts the guilty animal.
Promotes responsible-decision making, manners, cause and effect, honesty and integrity.
Kancil and the Crocodiles: A Tale from Malaysia by Noreha Yussof Day
On a hot day, Kancil, the mouse deer and Kura-Kura, the tortoise, spotted a tree full of juicy fruits. They trick some hungry crocodiles into helping them cross the river to the tree. Unfortunately, they didn't think about their return trip.
Read Kancil and the Crocodiles to promote discussions on Malaysia, folktales, honesty, integrity, and consequences.
Kevin by Rob Biddulph
Sid invents an imaginary friend called Kevin to take the blame for his mischievous behaviour. But with Kevin’s help, Sid realises it is best to be honest, and he apologises for his past behaviour.
Promotes forgiveness, honesty and being reflective.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Lilly loves school, her teacher, and her purple plastic purse. When her teacher, Mr Slinger, confiscates the purse, she plans her revenge. She draws a mean picture of Mr Slinger but soon feels remorse and sets out to make amends.
Promotes self-management, forgiveness, integrity, relationship skills and reflection.
Listen to My Trumpet! by Mo Willems
Piggie can’t wait to play her new trumpet for Gerald. After her performance, she proudly waits for Gerald’s opinion. He tells her the truth. She hadn’t played music, only a loud noise. Piggie tells him she wants to speak like an elephant to sound like Gerald. Touched, he teaches Piggie to use the trumpet to sound more like him.
Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry by Samantha Berger
Martha does not apologise, ever. She soon learns that if she wants others to cooperate, she must apologise for her behaviour.
Promotes themes of balance, cooperation, forgiveness, honesty, manners and reflection.
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John L. Steptoe
Mufaro's two daughters react differently to the King's search for a wife – one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. The king disguises himself to learn the true nature of both girls and chooses Nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be the queen. This African folktale promotes themes of jealousy, vanity and kindness.
A Pair of Red Clogs by Masako Matsuno
Mako is thrilled when she gets a new pair of Geta, traditional Japanese shoes. They are shiny with red lacquer until she cracks them while playing outside. She tries to fool her mother into getting a new pair of Geta but soon realises honesty is the best way to go.
Promotes forgiveness, making connections, and honesty.
Pig the Fibber by Aaron Blabey
Pig the Pug tells lies to get what he wants, and he always blames Trevor, the sausage dog. His next lie causes Trevor to get thrown out of the house. Will Pig learn his lesson and stop lying and blaming Trevor for everything?
Princess K.I.M. and the Lie That Grew by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Kim tries to impress her new classmates with a lie. She finally realises she has to tell the truth but will it be too late to keep her new friends?
Reinforces themes of acceptance, forgiveness, honesty and identity.
The Promise by Nicola Davies
After committing a criminal act, a nameless girl travels the world planting seeds and transforming bleak landscapes to compensate for her misdemeanour.
Reinforces themes of determination, open-mindedness and well-being.
The Sad Little Fact by Jonah Winter
A sad little fact is locked in a prison with other facts for telling the truth. Some fact finders help the imprisoned facts finally spread the truth. Not everyone believes the facts, but they are now out there for everyone to hear.
The Sad Little Fact promotes discussions on honesty, trust, politics, oppression and social awareness.
The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
A tired stranger arrives in a new place with their suitcase. It is met with suspicion and curiosity from the local animals. The animals break open the suitcase when it falls asleep to find a broken teacup and an old photograph. The stranger wakes from a dream about finding safety to find the animals have fixed the teacup and recreated it
Use in the classroom to discuss immigration, kindness, empathy, trust, asking questions, and inference.
This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
This is the second of two children's books about honesty by Jon Klassen. A small fish wearing a hat admits, “this is not my hat”. He stole it from a big fish. A fish is soon hunting for his hat and the dishonest fish. Sure it will get away with the crime; the fish is unaware that the big fish is searching for his hat. The last we hear of the little fish is him swimming into the reeds with the big fish following behind.
Promotes honesty, integrity, conflict and responsible decision-making.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
The reader gets to decide who is telling the truth in this fractured fairy tale of The Three Little Pigs. The wolf insists he was just trying to borrow some sugar to make a birthday cake for his poor old granny.
Promotes different perspectives, persuasion and honesty.
The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race by James Thorp
Six animals race through their respective homes and deceive, trick and cheat. All except for the unicorn. A snail witnessed the cheating, and the unicorn was rewarded for its integrity.
Promotes responsible decision-making, being principled and sportsmanship.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale by Verna Aardema
An African folktale about how the actions of one mosquito cause the sun not to rise. As punishment, the mosquito buzzes in people's ears to ask if everyone is still angry.
Promotes discussions on cause & effect and integrity.
Yoon and the Jade Bracelet by Helen Recorvits
Yoon gets a book from her mother and her grandmother's jade bracelet for her birthday. When a classmate borrows the jade bracelet, she lies and says it is hers. Yoon uses the lessons she learnt from her birthday book to get this precious gift back.
In Conclusion
Reading children's books about honesty and trustworthiness helps you start discussions about the consequences of dishonesty. This includes punishment, losing the trust of others and telling more lies to cover the first one.
Honesty also keeps the wrong person from getting blamed for something they didn't do.
What are your favourite picture books to discuss honesty and trust?
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