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Quick answer: The best books for Kids About Telling the Truth include The Boy Who Cried Wolf by B.G. Hennessy, Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin, A Big Fat Enormous Lie by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Telling the truth can be hard, especially when kids are afraid of getting in trouble. These picture books and early chapter books show why honesty matters, how lies can grow and how good it feels to come clean.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Boy Who Cried Wolf | B.G. Hennessy | 3-7 | fable fans |
| Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie | Laura Rankin | 3-7 | kids who tell small lies |
| A Big Fat Enormous Lie | Marjorie Weinman Sharmat | 3-7 | kids who feel guilty |
| Lying Up a Storm | Julia Cook | 5-9 | kids who make up stories |
| The Empty Pot | Demi | 4-8 | folktale fans |
| Jamaica's Find | Juanita Havill | 4-8 | kids who find lost things |
| Franklin Fibs | Paulette Bourgeois | 3-7 | Franklin fans |
| The Berenstain Bears and the Truth | Stan and Jan Berenstain | 3-7 | bear family fans |
| Sam, Bangs & Moonshine | Evaline Ness | 5-9 | daydreamers |
| The Honest-to-Goodness Truth | Patricia C. McKissack | 5-9 | kids who are too blunt |
| Edward Fudwupper Fibbed Big | Berkeley Breathed | 4-8 | silly story fans |
| David Gets in Trouble | David Shannon | 3-7 | kids who make excuses |
| But It's Not My Fault! | Julia Cook | 5-9 | kids who blame others |
| Liar, Liar | Gary Paulsen | 9-12 | older readers |
| The Adventures of Pinocchio | Carlo Collodi | 7-11 | classic fans |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. The Boy Who Cried Wolf by B.G. Hennessy
A bored shepherd boy learns why lying is dangerous. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: fable fans.
2. Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin
Ruthie's small lie about a toy camera keeps growing. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who tell small lies.
3. A Big Fat Enormous Lie by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
A boy's lie turns into a monster that follows him. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who feel guilty.
4. Lying Up a Storm by Julia Cook
Levi learns how lies create storms. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids who make up stories.
5. The Empty Pot by Demi
A boy's honesty wins over an emperor. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: folktale fans.
6. Jamaica's Find by Juanita Havill
Jamaica decides to return a toy she found. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who find lost things.
7. Franklin Fibs by Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin tells a fib and has to make it right. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: franklin fans.
8. The Berenstain Bears and the Truth by Stan and Jan Berenstain
The cubs break a lamp and blame someone else. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: bear family fans.
9. Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness
Sam's tall tales put her friend in danger. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: daydreamers.
10. The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack
Libby learns that truth should be told kindly. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids who are too blunt.
11. Edward Fudwupper Fibbed Big by Berkeley Breathed
A fib causes chaos for Edward and his sister. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: silly story fans.
12. David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon
David finally says sorry. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who make excuses.
13. But It's Not My Fault! by Julia Cook
Noodle learns to take responsibility. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids who blame others.
14. Liar, Liar by Gary Paulsen
Kevin's lies spiral out of control. Recommended ages: about 9-12.
Best for: older readers.
15. The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
A wooden puppet's nose grows when he lies. Recommended ages: about 7-11.
Best for: classic fans.
How to Choose the Right Book
For preschoolers, start with Franklin Fibs, The Berenstain Bears and the Truth and David Gets in Trouble. Kids who tell small lies will connect with Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie and A Big Fat Enormous Lie. For older kids, The Honest-to-Goodness Truth and Liar, Liar explore honesty in more depth.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
The Boy Who Cried Wolf by B.G. Hennessy is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 3 to 12, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.
Related: 15 Best Children’s Books About Honesty to Teach Kids to Tell the Truth