Books About Honesty & Integrity for Children

Teaching our children about virtues is a daily event, through small acts to big talks. These children’s books about honesty and integrity will help you along the way.

Honesty and integrity are fundamental values that shape a your child’s character and guide their interactions with the world and childrens books are a great place to start.

In this curated collection, you’ll discover a treasure trove of stories that illuminate the importance of truthfulness, sincerity and doing what’s right.

You can find these books about honesty and integrity at your local library or through the links provided for your convenience.

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Children's Books about Honesty & Integrity | Mommy Evolution

These books take young readers on engaging journeys that explore the rewards of honesty and the consequences of dishonesty.

Through relatable characters and heartwarming tales, children will learn valuable life lessons about making ethical choices, standing up for what’s right and building strong moral foundations.

I’ve broken down these books by children’s picture books about honesty as well as chapter books for older readers, a perfect part of SEL ideas for kids.

Honesty for Kids

Honesty is a crucial and fundamental value to teach your child for various reasons. Here’s how to explain it to your child:

Honesty is like a superpower that helps you in many ways! Imagine if you had a magical truth-telling cape – that’s what honesty is like. Here’s why it’s so important:

Trust: When you’re honest, people trust you more. If you tell the truth, your friends, family and teachers will believe what you say. Trust is like a strong bridge that keeps your relationships solid and secure.

Feel Good: When you’re honest, you feel good about yourself. You can be proud of being truthful because you’re doing the right thing. It makes your heart feel happy and light.

Responsibility: Being honest also means taking responsibility for your actions. When you make a mistake, like spilling juice or breaking a toy, it’s better to admit it honestly. That way, you can learn from your mistakes and make things right.

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Respect: Honesty shows that you respect other people. It’s like treating them how you want to be treated. When you’re honest, you show that you care about their feelings and their trust in you.

father and daughter standing in field hugging and laughing

So, being honest is like having a superpower that helps you make friends, feel good about yourself, learn from your mistakes and show respect to others. It’s a fantastic quality to have!

Are Honesty and Integrity the Same Thing

Honesty and integrity are closely related but not exactly the same.

Honesty typically refers to telling the truth and being forthright in one’s communications and actions. It involves being transparent and sincere, particularly when dealing with facts or information.

Integrity, on the other hand, encompasses a broader set of values and principles. It involves a consistent adherence to moral and ethical standards, not just in terms of truthfulness but also in how one conducts themselves in all aspects of life.

Integrity goes beyond being honest — it involves maintaining a strong moral compass and demonstrating ethical behavior consistently, even when faced with difficult choices or temptations.

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While honesty is a crucial component of integrity, integrity encompasses a more comprehensive commitment to doing what is right and just, even when no one is watching.

black mother and daughter in a loving hug

Essentially, honesty is a facet of integrity, but integrity extends beyond mere truthfulness to encompass a broader sense of moral character.

How is Honesty Part of Social and Emotional Learning

Honesty is an integral component of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), which focuses on developing emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. Within the SEL framework, honesty plays several crucial roles.

It is deeply connected to self-awareness, as children learn to recognize and understand their feelings and actions truthfully.

Additionally, honesty promotes self-regulation by encouraging kids to manage their emotions and behaviors in line with ethical and moral standards.

Responsible decision-making, another SEL competency, is also enhanced by honest assessment of the consequences of one’s actions.

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For relationships, honesty is pivotal for open and effective communication.

two friends hugging and smiling for the camera

Ultimately, SEL fosters emotional intelligence and well-rounded individuals. For more SEL topics, visit Social Emotional Learning Books for Kids.

SEL for Kids Starts At Home

As a parent, teaching Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to young children is crucial for their overall development. It helps your child understand and manage their emotions, fostering mental well-being.

SEL cultivates empathy, which is the foundation for healthy relationships and effective communication. These skills are essential for both academic success and life beyond the classroom.

Rather than formally teaching social and emotional skills, these should be integrated into the day to day interactions and activities for your kids.

All Learning Is Social and Emotional: Helping Students Develop Essential Skills for the Classroom and BeyondAll Learning Is Social and Emotional: Helping Students Develop Essential Skills for the Classroom and BeyondTeaching with a Social, Emotional, and Cultural Lens: A Framework for Educators and Teacher EducatorsTeaching with a Social, Emotional, and Cultural Lens: A Framework for Educators and Teacher EducatorsThe SEL Toolbox: Social-Emotional Learning Activities to Teach Kids to Generalize Learned Skills to Real-Life SituationsThe SEL Toolbox: Social-Emotional Learning Activities to Teach Kids to Generalize Learned Skills to Real-Life SituationsThe Social-Emotional Learning Toolbox: Practical Strategies to Support All StudentsThe Social-Emotional Learning Toolbox: Practical Strategies to Support All Students

 

By teaching SEL at home, you as a parent can empower your children to navigate the complexities of human interactions, making them more resilient and socially competent individuals.

Our Favorite Books on Honesty and Integrity

And while we’re on the subject of honesty and integrity, I should be honest — I have two favorite children’s books on this list… The Empty Pot and Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears.

We accidentally stumbled across The Empty Pot at a used book sale. Little did I know that this book was so delightful, had a wonderful “moral of the story” ending and would quickly become one of our favorites.

This Virtues Unit Study is also a great resource for teaching virtues to your kids.

Children's Books About Honesty & Integrity

Join us on a literary adventure where the virtues of honesty and integrity are celebrated and cherished, offering young minds both inspiration and guidance as they navigate the world around them.

ELEMENTARY CHAPTER BOOKS ABOUT HONESTY & INTEGRITY

Be sure to check out our Virtues Unit Study resources!

children's books about honesty and integrity

4 Comments

  1. margaret peg m. says:

    Reading these books to your children (young) can only be a good thing!

  2. What a great list of book about honesty. I loved reading Sam, Bangs, and Moonshine. I’d forgotten all about that book. Thanks for sharing.

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