Books and Resources to Teach Kids About Honesty
In a world where truth is hard to find and being popular is more important than doing the right thing, how can we teach our kids to be honest? The books and resources in this post will help you teach your kids about honesty.
Maybe we should start by asking our kids some tough questions to pique their thoughts.
- What does it mean to be truthful?
- If I tell everything that happened, but leave out a few minor details, is that telling the truth?
- Is it ok to tell a teeny tiny lie?
- When someone else is lying, am I lying too when I don’t speak up?
God’s Word is the Standard of Truth
If we are looking for the truth, we must begin with God’s Word since He is the Creator of all. In everything we see and hear around us, let us remind our children to measure it against the ultimate standard of truth.
This is what the Bible has to say about honesty. These would be wonderful verses to memorize with your children!
Proverbs 12:17 17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
Proverbs 12:22 22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
I John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
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Honesty Children’s Book Collection
Picture books are a wonderful tool to teach young children lessons about the importance of honesty. Below are some of my favorite books to read to my kids.
- Demi (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 09/15/1996 (Publication Date) – Square Fish (Publisher)
In this folktale, a little boy learns how hard it is to make honest choices, especially when you’re all alone, but his integrity is greatly rewarded. This story has a surprise ending that will keep your little ones on the edge of their seats until the last page.
The Honest to Goodness Truth by Patricia McKissack
- McKissack, Patricia C. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages – 01/01/2003 (Publication Date) – Aladdin (Publisher)
Libby is ashamed that she lied to her Mama, so she decides, “From now on, only the truth!” Although she has good intentions, she learns an important lesson when she experiences the negative consequences of her words. She sees that it’s also important how you speak the truth. There is a time and place for everything and some things are better left unsaid. The fun illustrations in this book will engage your children as they learn that honesty is the best policy.
This book is one of a collection of Brave Books, each of which focuses on a Biblically-based value. As Valor leaves home to return to school, his father reminds him, “Remember, know the truth, love the truth, and chase the truth always.” Valor takes his father’s words to heart, but he soon learns that sometimes the right choice comes at a great cost. Brave Books are high-quality books that will teach your kids important character traits. Trent Talbot created this pro-God, pro-America brand when he became a father and struggled to find great books that parents could trust with their children’s imaginations. Join the Freedom Island Book Club to receive one book monthly.
- Bunting, Eve (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 04/14/1997 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)
In this book, Francisco, a young boy learns the price of a lie when he slants the truth to help his Abuelo get a job. This is a wonderful story to read to specifically to boys because of the close relationship Francisco has with his Abuelo. In the end, he sees that his Abuelo has one important character trait that matters more than any particular skill: honesty.
The Book of Virtues: Chapter 8 on Honesty
- Hardcover Book
- Bennett, William J. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 640 Pages – 11/29/2022 (Publication Date) – Simon & Schuster (Publisher)
Each of the chapters in this book features a different character quality. In chapter 8, young readers learn the true stories of George Washington and the Cherry Tree, Honest Abe, and Regulus. This chapter also includes classic tales such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Frog Prince, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, and more!
- Collodi, Carlo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 272 Pages – 06/09/2011 (Publication Date) – Puffin Books (Publisher)
This classic book is a great way to show young children how one lie leads to another which can ultimately get us into a heap of trouble. What I love most about Pinocchio is that his faltering character which tries so hard to do right, but repeatedly makes bad choices, resonates with young children. They quickly find themselves hoping that Pinocchio will choose the right way!
Audio Stories
Adventures in Odyssey is a wonderful audio drama collection for kids ages 8-12. My kids love listening to these before bedtime every night. The following episodes focus on the importance of telling the truth.
Poems about Honesty
Rebecca’s Afterthought by Elizabeth Turner
YESTERDAY, Rebecca Mason,
In the parlour by herself,
Broke a handsome china basin,
Plac’d upon the mantel-shelf.
Quite alarm’d, she thought of going
Very quietly away,
Not a single person knowing,
Of her being there that day.
But Rebecca recollected
She was taught deceit to shun;
And the moment she reflected,
Told her mother what was done;
Who commended her behaviour,
Lov’d her better, and forgave her.
Whole Duty of Children by Robert Louis Stevenson
A child should always say what’s true
And speak when he is spoken to,
And behave mannerly at table;
At least as far as he is able.
Quotes about Truth
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” – Mark Twain
“Honesty first; then courage; then brains-and all are indispensable.” -Teddy Roosevelt
“To make your children capable of honesty is the beginning of education.” -John Ruskin
As you aim to show your children the importance of truth, I hope this book list and other resources will help you transfer these values to your children.
