Kids Books about Trustworthiness

At the dawn of AI, it is easier and easier to invent “truth”. Many deepfakes are so convincing, it is very difficult to know what is truth and what is fake news these days. As I reflect on what is important to teach my children in the short years that I have them at home – one virtue seems to be of vital importance: trustworthiness. How to be trustworthy, how to discern who is trustworthy, what are reputable sources with journalistic integrity, and how to be a critical thinker.

What is Trustworthiness?

Trustworthiness means to be reliable and honest. When you are trustworthy, it means that people can count on you to do as you say you would do, and that what you say is true. When you are trustworthy, you are someone who has been consistently honest, so people can believe what you say. Being trustworthy is earned by consistency.

Here are some stories we’ve read featuring trustworthy (or untrustworthy) characters. They’ve opened up great conversations with my kids about unreliable narrators, whether we can believe something just because it is written in a book, and the idea that just because someone has a different perspective – it doesn’t mean they are untrustworthy or lying. What if what they are telling is true? How can you tell?

Kids Books featuring Trustworthy/Untrustworthy Characters

The Three Little Pigs by Paul Galdone

The classic story of a wolf trying to be friendly a lure the pigs from safety for his own appetite. Are the pigs trustworthy? Is the wolf?

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs as told to Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith

In this story, we hear the wolf’s perspective. He was framed! What do you think now? Are the pigs trustworthy? What about the wolf? How do you know who to believe?

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

This pigeon is not allowed the drive the bus, but oh man he’s trying to convince you to let him! Should we trust Pigeon?

Little Red Riding Hood by Paul Galdone

Another classic fairytale about a little girl who trusts a sneaky wolf and ends up in his belly. Is the wolf trustworthy in this story? What about Little Red Riding Hood? Can her mom trust her to bring things to grandma?

The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach

This is one of my favourite stories with an unreliable narrator. It is quite the tall tale – can we believe it? What about when we find out who the narrator is? Do you think he is telling the truth?

The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf in Aesop’s Fables illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

The classic story of the boy who cried wolf is the first story in this collection of Aesop’s Fables. It tells of the harm of not being trustworthy…”No one believes a liar.”

Hopefully these stories give your family a launchpad for conversations around trustworthiness in the media, social media, or in daily offline life. Can you believe what you’re told? How can you tell? Why is it important to be trustworthy? How can you be a person who is believed?

ps: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, from which I earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting my blog! It really means so much to me.

Warmly,

-Heather

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