Table of Contents
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What Does It Mean to Be Principled?
Being principled means doing what’s right—even when no one is watching. Principled children act with honesty, fairness, and respect for others. They take responsibility for their choices and understand how their actions affect those around them.
According to the IB, principled learners:
- Show integrity and take responsibility
- Are honest, fair, and respectful
- Make thoughtful choices without supervision
- Recognize how their behavior impacts others
This trait helps students build a strong sense of right and wrong, encourages justice, and empowers them to stand up for what is fair—even when it’s not easy.
These values can feel abstract, but IB Learner Profile Principled picture books give children clear, relatable stories that show what integrity looks like in action.
Why Use Picture Books about Integrity?
Children learn best when they see values in action. Integrity picture books give students safe, engaging ways to talk about honesty, fairness, and responsibility.
According to the IB, principled individuals “act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere.”
Through stories, students can:
- Reflect on their own choices
- Discuss right and wrong with peers
- See the impact of actions on others
- Recognize the courage it takes to act with integrity
This makes principled trait books a powerful tool for character education and literacy.
Benefits of Nurturing Principled Students
- Reduce impulsive choices
- Build stronger relationships
- Feel more confident in difficult situations
- Inspire others through example
Picture Books that Model Being Principled
When sharing teaching integrity with picture books, highlight positive principle behavior:
- Act with honesty
- Demonstrate fairness and justice
- Respect others’ dignity
- Take responsibility for mistakes
- Show gratitude and patience
- Embrace diversity and inclusion
Also discuss unprincipled behavior—disrespect, dishonesty, or selfishness—so students can see the contrast and talk about consequences.
Principled Picture Books
Cat and Rat: The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac by Ed Young
Cat and Rat devise a plan to win the Zodiac race. However, Rat betrays Cat, resulting in Cat missing out on being a part of the zodiac, explaining why cats and rats are enemies.
Cat and Rat explores betrayal, temptation, integrity, competition, loyalty, and relationship skills.
Change Sings: A Children's Anthem by Amanda Gorman
Change Sings tells the inspiring story of a young girl and her group of friends who work together to bring about positive change in their community.
The book shows that age is no barrier to making a difference and that our unique voices can bring about positive changes in the world.
The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool
A boy spins clouds into beautiful cloth. The king demands that he make his clothes, causing the clouds to disappear, which in turn causes a drought. The fabric is returned and released to become clouds again.
The Cloud Spinner explores greed, sustainability, courage, respect for nature, and the consequences of our actions.
A Day's Work by Eve Bunting
Francisco and his grandfather make a well-intentioned yet misguided decision. They demonstrate hard work and integrity, returning to correct their mistake.
A Day’s Work explores ethical behavior, honesty, and the courage to rectify mistakes.
Emmeline Pankhurst by Lisbeth Kaiser
Emmeline Pankhurst was an activist who fought for women’s equality and the right to vote. She led the suffragette movement, organising protests, delivering speeches, and enduring imprisonment.
This book examines the history of the women’s rights movement, activism, and the impact of individual actions in standing up for one’s beliefs.
The Empty Pot by Demi
An Emperor challenges the children in his kingdom to grow a seed. Ping tends to his seed but only has an empty pot when spring arrives. The king rewards Ping for his honesty by making him the next emperor.
The Empty Pot explores honesty, integrity, perseverance, and the courage to stand alone even when difficult.
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Annabelle finds a box of magical yarn that never runs out. Through her knitting, she transforms her drab, monochrome town into a vibrant, colourful place.
Annabelle’s story reminds us that we can make the world a brighter place with a little imagination and the right tools.
Fishing for Rainbows by Oliver Sykes
Kezia steps outside her comfort zone to spend the summer fishing with her brother, despite her own fears and doubts.
Fishing for Rainbows explores courage, self-doubt, family bonds, stereotypes, and challenging traditional gender expectations.
Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant by Craig Barr-Green
Autistic heroine Gina analyses plot “errors,” argues for fairness, and rewrites the tale to protect the giant. Her sharp thinking and determination show how questioning stories can lead to better, kinder endings.
Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant explores fairness, communication, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving.
Grandpa Mandela by Zindzi Mandela
Told by Nelson Mandela’s great-grandchildren, this book shares his life story—from childhood to his role as a leader who fought for freedom in South Africa.
Grandpa Mandela explores standing up for what is right, the power of peace, service, justice, integrity, perseverance, and forgiveness.
Greta and the Giants: inspired by Greta Thunberg's stand to save the world by Zoë Tucker
Greta is determined to save the forest, threatened by the greed of giants. She rallies animals and townspeople to stand up against the giants and protect the environment.
Greta and the Giants explores protecting the environment, standing up for what is right, accountability, and community action.
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! explores sportsmanship, forgiveness, integrity, honesty, and respect.
Guji Guji by Chih-Yuan Chen
A creature is brought up as a duck, only to discover he’s actually a crocodile. When the other crocodiles plan to prey on his duck family, Guji Guji uses his wit to protect them instead.
Guji Guji explores problem-solving, a sense of belonging, and accepting one’s unique identity.
Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt’s Treasured Books by Karen Leggett Abouraya
During the 2011 revolution in Egypt, thousands of people formed a human chain around the Library of Alexandria to protect it. In a time of great turmoil, a love of literature and freedom united a country.
Hands Around the Library explores how a shared love for literature, knowledge, and freedom can bring people together.
A Hen for Izzy Pippik by Aubrey Davis
Shaina finds a hen belonging to Izzy Pippik. While looking after the hen, the town becomes overrun with rowdy chickens. She protects the bird by standing up for what’s right.
A Hen for Izzy Pippik explores the impact of one person’s ethical stance, doing what is right, determination, 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 that there is a right way to tell the truth.
The Honest-to-Goodness Truth explores truthfulness, consideration and that honesty must be balanced with tact and kindness.
It Fell From the Sky by The Fan Brothers
When an object falls from the sky, it intrigues the insects. An opportunistic spider capitalizes on the event, charging fees to view it. As interest wanes, the spider learns about community, supply and demand.
It Fell From the Sky explores community, integrity, selfishness, supply and demand, entrepreneurship, and capitalism.
Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg
Walter disregards recycling and caring for the environment until he experiences an unsettling dream about the grim consequences of neglecting environmental responsibility.
Upon waking, Walter understands everyone has a crucial role in respecting and preserving our environment to ensure a positive and sustainable future.
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
A child’s words show the harsh consequences for children protesting after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak in 1963. Despite facing fear, hate, and danger, the children used their voices to enact change.
Let the Children March explores activism, facing danger with courage, resilience, and collective strength in the fight for civil rights.
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
A lion becomes a beloved figure in the library but breaks the silence rule when he roars for help for his librarian friend. The lion, believing he’s done wrong, leaves the library, much to everyone’s dismay.
Library Lion explores rules (and exceptions), not judging by appearances, the joy of reading, communication, and libraries as safe havens.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Lilly adores her school, teacher, and purple plastic purse. Her enthusiasm for her purse leads her on an unexpected journey of self-discovery.
Through Lilly’s experiences, readers learn about controlling impulses, honesty, making amends, and learning from our actions.
Look What I've Got! by Anthony Browne
Jeremy attempts to impress Sam by boasting about his possessions and activities. But it’s Sam, with his unwavering good character and imaginative mind, who gets the last laugh.
Look What I’ve Got! explores materialism, selfishness, generosity and sharing, empathy, and self-awareness.
Love Is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer
Mari prepares for the Women’s March in New York City. As she makes her sign, she asks whether the world will hear their message. Her mama responds, “They’ll hear because love is powerful.”
Love Is Powerful explores activism, peaceful protests, empowerment, using one’s voice, and standing up for what you believe.
Malala: Activist for Girls' Education by Raphaele Frier
At fifteen, Malala Yousafzai refused to back down when the Taliban denied girls the right to an education. Undeterred by a near-fatal attempt on her life, Malala’s inspiring activism earned her a Nobel Peace Prize.
Malala explores courage in the face of adversity, dedication, advocating for equality and education, confronting injustice, and standing up for our rights and those of others.
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
As a boy, Martin witnessed the harsh reality of segregation. Inspired by his father’s preaching and his mother’s assurance of his worth, Martin grows up to use his ‘big words’ to fight for equality and justice.
Martin’s Big Words explores racial segregation, advocacy for equal rights, bravery in the face of adversity, and the power of words.
The Name Jar Yangsook Choi
Unhei considers choosing a new name when students at her new school in America struggle to pronounce it. As she embraces her Korean heritage, she discovers the beauty and strength in her name.
The Name Jar explores taking pride in our identity, appreciating diverse cultures and perspectives, and inclusive environments.
One by Kathryn Otoshi
Bully Red picks on quiet and shy Blue, who wishes he could be more like his other friends. The number One arrives, unites all the colours, and teaches them how to stand up to Red.
One explores bullying, standing up for oneself, tolerance, conflict resolution, and the importance of respect and unity.
One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul
In Gambia. Isatou Ceesay collects plastic bags, littering her community and turning them into beautiful handbags. Their innovative recycling efforts significantly impact their community.
One Plastic Bag explores environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, community action, creativity, and resilience.
Princess K.I.M. and the Lie That Grew by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Kim lies about being a princess to her classmates, but as the lie grows, so does her anxiety. She eventually learns to appreciate her uniqueness without resorting to lies.
Princess K.I.M. and the Lie That Grew explores the consequences of lying, wanting to be accepted and owning up to one’s mistakes.
Red by Jan De Kinder
A girl finds humour when a classmate is teased for blushing. But she recognizes the harmful impact and grapples with her fear of standing up to the bully. With integrity, she summons the courage to do what’s right.
Red explores integrity, bullying, courage to stand up against wrongdoings, consequences of actions, and self-reflection.
The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin
In this Native American version of Cinderella, two sisters want to marry an invisible man, but they have to prove they can see him, which they can’t. It is their sister, a rough-faced girl, who can see him and marries him.
The Rough Face Girl explores inner beauty vs. outer beauty, kindness, courage, perseverance, resilience, and Algonquin traditions.
Rude Cakes by Rowboat Watkins
A pink frosted cake is rude and disrespectful. It refuses to share or wait its turn and never says ‘please’ or ‘thank you’. But it learns the importance of considering others’ feelings.
Rude Cakes explores bad manners and their consequences, respect for others, and learning from mistakes.
The Sad Little Fact by Jonah Winter
A sad fact is denied by those in authority and buried underground. However, a few truth-seekers eventually uncover and spread the facts, demonstrating the unstoppable nature of truth.
The Sad Little Fact explores honesty, integrity, misinformation, and courage to stand by the truth in the face of opposition.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts
Sally notices everything, especially the bullying in her school playground. Despite her small size, Sally stands tall and makes a difference by bravely confronting the bullies.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade explores that no matter how small you are, you can make a big difference with compassion, respect, and tolerance.
Three Lines in a Circle: The Exciting Life of the Peace Symbol by Michael G. Long
A history of how the peace symbol became a powerful icon. Designed over 60 years ago in London by activist Gerald Holtom to protest against nuclear weapons.
Three Lines in a Circle explores the historical significance of symbols, the peace movement, and the power of visual representation in societal change.
Under the Lemon Moon by Edith Hope Fine
In rural Mexico, a distressed Rosalinda discovers that the Night Man has taken lemons from her tree. She finds him selling her lemons, and Rosalinda understands his desperate circumstances.
Under the Lemon Moon explores empathy, forgiveness, and how seemingly negative experiences can lead to beneficial outcomes.
We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen
Witness the power of integrity and responsible decision-making as two turtles navigate a tempting discovery—a hat!
We Found a Hat explores different points of view, responsible decision-making, temptation, compromise, integrity, staying true to one’s principles, and fostering trust.
The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race by James Thorp
Six animals deceive, trick, and cheat during a race—all except for the unicorn. A snail witnesses the cheating, and the unicorn is rewarded for its integrity.
The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race explores honesty, integrity, responsible decision-making, principles, fairness, and sportsmanship.
Wolves will (not) be Wolves: A Modern-Day Feminist Fairy Tale by Frances Stickley
Little Red rallies a group of fairytale characters to protest unfair rules and double standards in the woods.
Wolves will (not) be Wolves explores equality, activism, unfairness, open-mindedness, challenging old ideas, speaking up for change, and working together to create a fairer world.
The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson
This true story follows Audrey Faye Hendricks, the youngest child arrested during the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama, who bravely marched to end segregation.
The Youngest Marcher explores activism, black history, fears, social justice, defending rights, and civil rights.
Principled Worksheets & Graphic Organizers
If you’d like flexible activities to pair with your read-alouds, I created a Principled Learner Profile Graphic Organizers pack. It works with ANY book.
What’s in the pack
- Principled Characters activities to see how characters act with honesty, fairness, and responsibility
- I am Principled pages for students to reflect on their own principled choices
- Principled Actions tasks to practise integrity in stories and real life
- Open-ended worksheets that adapt to any story or grade
Why it helps
- Makes fairness and honesty concrete through stories
- Encourages reflection on personal responsibility
- Builds moral reasoning and integrity
- Supports a respectful and responsible classroom culture
Tips for Teaching the PYP Principled Trait
- Praise honesty and accountability—celebrate when students own mistakes
- Use real classroom moments to model fairness and responsibility
- Involve students in creating class rules so they value fairness
- Model principled behavior yourself—students notice more than you think
- Encourage reflection with writing or drawing about times they acted with integrity
Principled Discussion Questions
Use these prompts to guide deeper thinking and discussions:
- Did the character make a fair or honest choice?
- How did their actions affect others?
- Was it easy or hard for them to do the right thing?
- Did the character show fairness? Why or why not?
- How did their actions affect others?
- What was the consequence of their actions?
- How did it feel for the character to stand up for what was right?
- How could the character have been more principled?
- What would you have done in that situation?
- What does integrity look like in the classroom?
Helping Kids Understand Integrity
Being principled isn’t about following rules. It’s about making the right choice—even if no one notices. Encourage students to:
- Reflect on times they acted (or didn’t act) with integrity
- Write or draw journal entries showing principled choices
- Spot principled behavior in their classmates
Final Thoughts
Exploring integrity through IB Learner Profile Principled picture books helps children see that honesty, fairness, and responsibility are everyday choices. Using stories makes big values more accessible—and reminds students that being principled takes courage, but always matters.
📚 What books do you use in the classroom to promote honesty and fairness? Add them in the comments below—I’d love to hear your favorites!
Ideas of What to Read Next
👉 Visit the IB Learner Profile hub for more traits, picture books, and classroom strategies.
Principled Books FAQs
- What is the principled trait in IB? Doing the right thing—honestly, fairly, and respectfully—even when no one is watching.
- Why use picture books to teach integrity? They make abstract values relatable and open up honest conversations.
- What are signs of principled behavior? Owning mistakes, treating others fairly, making kind choices.
- How does this link to the curriculum? Supports IB PYP, EYFS, KS1, CCSS, TEKS, and the Australian Curriculum through social-emotional and literacy outcomes.
- How can I support EAL/SEND learners? Use visuals, model behavior, and choose books with clear messages and illustrations.
- Any recommended books? Yes! See the list in this post for integrity-themed favorites like The Empty Pot, Extra Yarn, Martin’s Big Words, and We Found a Hat.
