Best Books for Teaching Honesty to Children

The children's books below are great for teaching honesty, including positive examples of honesty and problems with dishonest behaviors (lying, stealing...).  Being honest can be hard, as it often goes against a child's natural 'self- preservation' instincts!  And...sometimes being honest can be 'tricky'. Telling the truth is good, but then again... total honesty can sometimes be so unkind. Children cannot simply be told to "always tell the truth"-- they need guidance to understand when total honesty is helpful and when it can hurt.

Children need to hear lots of examples of honesty in order for this value to sink in. Luckily, the children's books below are written with the goal of teaching honesty. And, they are all fun and cute and entertaining to boot! :)

best books for teaching honesty
including not stealing or lying



The Empty Pot
(Chinese story of honesty)
written/illustrated by Demi
Preschool - 3rd grade


Edwurd Fudwupper
Fibbed Big
(consequences of lying)
by Berkeley Breathed
1st grade - 4th grade


Sam Tells Stories
(lying to make friends)
by Thierry Robberecht
Preschool - 3rd grade


The Honest-to-
Goodness Truth
(not being TOO honest)
by Patricia McKissack 
Preschool - 3rd grade


Boy Who Cried Wolf
(retelling of traditional tale)
by B.G. Hennessy
Preschool - 3rd grade



Liar, Liar, Pants
on Fire
(story of lying)
by Diane deGroat
Kindergarten - 3rd grade


David Gets in
Trouble
(not fessing up for things)
by David Shannon
Preschool - 2nd grade


Ruthie & the
(Not So) Tiny Lie
(consequences of lying)
by Laura Rankin
Preschool - 3rd grade


The Boy Who
Cried Bigfoot
(value of honesty)
by Scott Magoon
Kindergarten - 1st grade


The Boy Who
Cried Wolf
(beginning reader)
by Lee Wildish
1st grade - 2nd grade



BIG SAVINGS! Check out our SALE

character education books: $2.75 each
Want to save 50%+ off retail? We sell math kids books that are used but still in great shape! Perfect for teachers and parents.



The Wolf Who
Cried Boy 
(a funny twist on Boy
Who Cried Wolf)
by B.J. Hennessy
Kindergarten - 3rd grade


Howard Wigglebottom
and the Monkey
on His Back
(story about lying)
by Howard Blinkow 
Kindergarten - 2nd grade


Doug-Dennis and
the Flyaway Fib 
(not fessing up)
by Darren Farrell 
Kindergarten - 3rd grade


Princess Kim and
Too Much Truth
(not being TOO honest)
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler 
1st grade - 4th grade


Princess K.I.M and
the Lie That Grew
(lying to make friends)
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler 
1st grade - 4th grade



Scapegoat
(not fessing up for things)
by Dean Hale
Preschool - 2nd grade


Ricky Sticky Fingers
(story about stealing)
by Julia Cook
1st grade - 5th grade


Little Croc's Purse
(honesty in finding lost purse)
by Lizzie Findlay
Preschool - 1st grade


Tiddler
(telling 'tall tales')
by Julia Donaldson
Kindergarten - 3rd grade


A Day's Work
(a grandpa sets an
example of honesty)
by Eve Bunting
Kindergarten - 3rd grade


best books for teaching honesty
to bigger kids

We've gotten some requests for chapter books on courage for older kids, so we found this selection. However, we specialize in books for younger kids, so we don't have reviews for these books. If you want more info on any of these books, click the Amazon link below.



BIG SAVINGS! Check out our SALE

 character education books: $2.75 each
Want to save 50%+ off retail? We sell math kids books that are used but still in great shape! Perfect for teachers and parents.