The Honesty Bookshelf: Stories That Teach the Power of Telling the Truth
Every parent has been there. You find a broken crayon, cookie crumbs on the counter, or a drawing on the wall, and when you ask your little one what happened, you’re met with wide eyes and a quickly shaken head. It’s a moment that can be frustrating, but it’s also a powerful opportunity.
For young children, a lie often comes not from a place of malice, but from a place of fear—fear of getting in trouble, of disappointing us, or of facing a consequence. Our job as parents isn’t just to punish the lie, but to create a safe space where the truth can thrive. One of the best ways to do this is to explore the concept of honesty together, and for that, we turn to the power of stories.
Stories allow our children to see the journey of honesty play out in a safe, relatable way. They can see a character tell a lie, feel the uncomfortable feelings that follow, and then experience the relief and resolution that comes from finally telling the truth. By building an "Honesty Bookshelf," we give our kids a library of examples that show why honesty is always the heroic path.
Spotlight: A Hero Named Justice
Here at Good Little Souls, we believe so strongly in this idea that we created a character whose very purpose is to champion the truth. In our story,
"Justice in the Hall," we meet a brave and observant young girl named Justice. As her school's hall monitor, her keen eyes miss nothing, and she upholds what's right with a strong spirit.
Justice dreams of being a detective, and she knows that a hero's purpose is to "seek out the truth, in all that she'd do." She shows us that honesty isn't just about not telling a lie; it's an active, courageous pursuit of what is right, using her courage as a shield and honesty as her light.
Exciting News: Justice is Coming to the Screen!
Because we believe so much in this character and her powerful message, we are thrilled to officially announce that we are developing "Justice in the Hall" into a new animated series, planned for release in 2026 on YouTube!
This series will follow Justice as she solves small mysteries at her school, using her sharp observational skills, her kind heart, and her unwavering commitment to the truth. We can't wait to bring her adventures to life and share them with all of you.
More Books for Your Honesty Bookshelf
To round out your collection, here are a few other wonderful books that explore this important theme:
"The Empty Pot" by Demi: This beautiful folktale tells the story of Ping, a boy who tries to grow a flower for the Emperor but fails. While other children present beautiful blooms they grew dishonestly, Ping bravely presents his empty pot. It’s a powerful story about how courage and honesty are greater achievements than a perfect result.
"The Honest-to-Goodness Truth" by Patricia McKissack: Libby Louise promises to only tell the honest-to-goodness truth, but she soon learns that the truth can sometimes hurt people's feelings. This thoughtful story explores the important nuance between honesty and kindness, teaching that truth should be told with compassion.
By sharing these stories, we can help our children understand that while telling the truth can sometimes feel hard, it is always the path to feeling strong, proud, and free.
