HabitSeeds

A story written for your child about telling the truth

Little fibs are a normal part of growing up. This story shows what happens when one grows, and how good it feels to set it right.

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Nora crouches at the start of a winding coral path, holding one end of a tangled ribbon covered in paper stars
Best for
Ages 5–7, Ages 7–10
Length
24, 28, 32 pages, based on reading age
Price
From $7.99, one-time
Written
New for your child

Why it’s so hard for them

Most kids start trying out small lies in the preschool years. It's partly a sign of growing thinking skills: they've figured out that you can't see inside their head. The hard part is learning that the truth is usually the better bet.

Children are more likely to tell the truth when it's met with thanks rather than trouble, so a story that ends on punishment can backfire. Ours end on what honesty earns.

How the story goes

Every book is written from what you tell us, so yours will be its own. Here’s the shape a story like this usually takes.

  1. A small fib

    The hero tells a lie to get out of trouble. It seems to work, at first.

  2. It grows

    One fib needs another to cover it, and the hero starts to feel tangled up. The story names that uneasy feeling and why it's there.

  3. Telling the truth

    The hero chooses to say what really happened, using simple words: "It was me. I'm sorry."

  4. Thanked, not punished

    The grown-up thanks them for being honest. The relief, and the trust that comes back, is the ending.

Questions to ask while you read

The conversation is where the lesson sticks. Pause on a page and try one of these, then let your child lead. Why we build books this way.

  • How did the hero feel after the first fib? And after the second?
  • What did they say when they told the truth?
  • Why do you think the grown-up said thank you?

Questions parents ask

Is it normal for my child to lie?

Yes. Small lies are a common part of development in young children. How honesty is met matters: kids tend to tell the truth more often when it's welcomed rather than punished.

Why doesn't the story end with the child getting in trouble?

A 2014 study found that young children told the truth more often after hearing a story where honesty was praised, while stories where lying was punished made no difference. You can read more on our approach page.

Can I base it on a lie my child actually told?

Yes. Describe the kind of fib you're seeing, and we'll write a story with an illustrated hero who tells one like it and finds their way back to the truth.

Do I pick from ready-made books?

No. Every book is written and illustrated new from what you tell us: what your child is facing, a hero you name, their reading age and the setting. This page is a starting point, not a finished book.

How much does a book cost?

Ages 2–4: 24 pages for $7.99; Ages 5–7: 28 pages for $9.99; Ages 7–10: 32 pages for $11.99. Length and price follow the reading age you select, paid once. No subscription. Sign in before checkout and your first book is 20% off.

Do you use a photo of my child?

No, never. The hero is an original illustrated character you name and describe, so the story is about what your child is going through, not their face.

How do I get the book?

Writing and illustrating takes a few minutes after checkout. You read it in our online reader, download it as a PDF to print at home, and we email you when it's ready.

Tell us what’s happening.

We’ve filled in a starting point. Change it to match your child, and we’ll write the rest.

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