The Honest-to-Goodness Truth [Paperback]

Patricia C. McKissack (Author), Giselle Potter (Illustrator)

Book Description

If telling the truth is the right thing to do, why is the whole world mad at Libby?

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Libby is caught in her first lie to her mama, she makes a decision: "From now on, only the truth." Soon she's spreading the truth all over town--about the hole in her friend Ruthie May's sock, and the fact that Thomas didn't have lunch money and needed to borrow some from the teacher, and how old Miz Tusselbury's yard looks like a jungle. By now, no one is talking to Libby. Perplexed and glum, she turns to her mama for another lesson on telling the truth. But it isn't until Libby gets a small spoonful of her own medicine that she really grasps the difference between the right way and the wrong way to tell the truth.

Children know just how difficult it is to find that balance between a lie and the honest-to-goodness truth. Award-winning author Patricia McKissack teams up with acclaimed illustrator Giselle Potter (Gabriella's Song, When Agnes Caws) to create a witty, touching story that will sound quite familiar to anyone who has ever struggled with just this quandary. Potter's unique, naive style is terrifically appealing, with her big-faced, highly expressive characters and gorgeous gouache and gesso colors. (Ages 5 to 10) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

"Speak the truth and shame the devil," says Libby Louise Sullivan's mother after Libby Louise tells her a fib. Her own shame far outweighs the punishment dealt out by her mother, and Libby Louise vows, "From now on, only the truth." But the girl's strict enforcement of her own rule soon lands her in deep water. She alienates a host of people: her best friend by publicly pointing out a hole in her sock; a classmate by tattling on him; and a neighbor by critiquing her garden. McKissack (Let My People Go) thoroughly examines a common childhood problem--discerning when the truth helps and when it hurts--with homespun language and accessible situations. The intimate settings so integral to Potter's (Three Cheers for Catherine the Great!) folk-art style provide a fitting complement to the author's cozy community. Her depictions of an alternately astonished and contrite Libby Louise, who winds up feeling the sting of truth herself, will likely cause readers to recall their own chagrin in similar circumstances. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689853955
• ISBN-13: 978-0689853951
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Manners

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest-to-Goodness Truth, May 23, 2001

By 

Tena L..Yancey (New Palestine, In United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth (Hardcover)

My second graders absolutely loved this book. I read it aloud to the class and then they wrote a response. They were asked to tell the lesson of this story, and to relate how they had been like either Libby Louise or a victim. The children were very honest in their responses. I think this book is a must for any classroom discussion. Though it is recommended for 4-8 year olds, the message would be good for all ages.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Honest-to-Goodness Truth, November 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth (Hardcover)

Libby's lie to her mother came out so easily, "like it was greased with warm butter". After spending the day on the porch for lying, Libby decides to tell nothing but the truth. Her truth-telling goes overboard, causing loss of cherished friendships both young and old. Telling everyone that Thomas got his lunch money from the teacher, for example, isn't exactly what her mother had in mind. It is only when Libby is confronted with the hurtful truth of another that she comes around to understanding that the honest-to-goodness truth told for the right reasons is never wrong.

The simple illustrations lend themselves to understanding the story line. Giselle Potter used pencil, ink, gouache, gesso and watercolor to create the pictures that my young daughter and her older brother love to look at over and over again.

This is a great theme with a fun story line done in a multi-cultural setting.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Honest-To-Goodness Truth, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth (Hardcover)

Terrific book and a great read-aloud! I read this book to my elementary class. The children loved it! It provided a wonderful "spring board" for a rich classroom discussion on truthfulness.