Books for Children About Truth & Lying

̶0;Liar, liar, pants on fire!̶1; Children know the difference between lying and telling the truth, but it does not always come easy to them. Kids lie to avoid trouble or consequences, to get ahead and to feel good. Books can help them think about the benefits of honesty. Check out these titles for preschoolers and elementary school students.

  1. Preschool

    • In "Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie," by Laura Rankin, the main character struggles over whether to lie about a toy she finds. After choosing the truth, Ruthie is forgiven for her earlier dishonesty. "Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Monkey on His Back: A Tale About Telling the Truth," by Howard Binkow, relates the story of a young rabbit who knows it is wrong to lie and is subsequently bothered by his conscience. Greg Burnham's "Broken Glass" follows a young boy as he struggles with telling the truth after disobeying his parents.

    Kindergarten and First Grade

    • "The Berenstain Bears and the Truth," by Stan Berenstain, follows the popular bear family as the cubs and their parents learn about the importance of being truthful. A lesson about lying is taught in an entertaining way with colorful illustrations. "Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big" was written by Berkeley Breathed, creator of the comic strip "Bloom County." The book tells about a boy whose progressively bigger lies rise to epic proportions. It's up to his younger sister to resolve the crisis. In "A Big Fat Enormous Lie," by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, a small lie grows into a much bigger problem.

    Second Through Fourth Grade

    • "Toeshoe Trouble" is the second book in the Sugar Plum Ballerinas series by Whoopi Goldberg and Deborah Underwood. Brenda, tired of her bragging cousin, tells a lie that gets her into trouble. With the assistance of her friends, Brenda comes clean. In Melissa Thomson's "Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up," the title character has trouble telling the truth when fibbing means a big treat. "Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook," by Barbara Park, is from of a series of adventures of an energetic and impulsive girl. In this book, Junie B. is reluctantly honest after finding a special pen she covets.

    Fifth and Sixth Grade

    • "Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln," by Doreen Rappaport, uses beautiful prose to relate the life of the president known for his truthfulness. The text is accompanied by many striking paintings. In "Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me," by Nan Marino, Tamara is faced with a problem. A chronic, yet believable, liar has moved into her neighborhood, and Tamara wants to expose him. The story is set in the summer of the first moon walk. Horse enthusiasts might enjoy "Scandals, Rumors, Lies," by Jessica Burkhart, which is part of the Canterwood Crest series. The riding academy is hit with a wave of dishonest and unpleasant behavior.

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