The Honest-to-Goodness Truth explained

The Honest-to-Goodness Truth
Author:Patricia McKissack,
Illustrator:Giselle Potter
Country:USA
Language:English
Genre:Children's literature, children's picture book
Published:2000 (Atheneum Books)
Media Type:Print (hardback, paperback)
Pages:40
Isbn:9780689826689
Oclc:40135279

The Honest-to-Goodness Truth is a 2000 picture book written by Patricia McKissack and illustrated by Giselle Potter. It is about a girl, Libby Louise, who decides to only tell the truth, the problems this causes, and her eventual understanding about the need for empathy and kindness in some situations.

Reception

Booklist, in its review of The Honest-to-Goodness Truth, wrote "The story is very much a lesson, but it's a subtle one, and Potter's colorful, naive-style illustrations capture the innocence and eagerness of the "good girl" who learns that telling tales is not the way to be nice, that some things are private." and School Library Journal called it "A welcome offering about honesty and consideration."[1]

Book Links has included it in a list of picture books that can be used to teach ethics to younger children and wrote "McKissack's book helps to convey the subtleties of being truthful to younger children who might not yet understand the difference between dishonesty and discretion.".[2]

The Honest-to-Goodness Truth has also been reviewed by The Horn Book Magazine,[3] Kirkus Reviews,[4] Library Media Connection,[5] and Publishers Weekly.[6]

It appears on the 2002 NCTE Adventuring with Books for Pre-Kā€”Grade 6 booklist.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The honest-to-goodness truth . Buffalo and Erie County Public Library . March 15, 2017.
  2. February 2001 . What Should You Do? Approaching Ethics through Literature . Book Links . American Library Association . 10 . 4 . March 15, 2017.
  3. Web site: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth: Reviews . The pastel watercolor and ink illustrations capture the story's Southern milieu, warmth, and humor. . catalog.wccls.org . March 15, 2017.
  4. Web site: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth: Reviews . This is a tale in which the literal-minded may be too close to the situation to see the humor, but the heroine's heart is in the right place, and she works through her confusion in recognizable, easily followed stages. . catalog.wccls.org . March 15, 2017.
  5. Web site: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth: Reviews . This is a very special book that deals with a difficult concept for young children in terms they can understand. . catalog.wccls.org . March 15, 2017.
  6. Web site: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth . The intimate settings so integral to Potter's folk-art style provide a fitting complement to the author's cozy community. . December 16, 2002 . Publishers Weekly . PWxyz LLC. March 15, 2017.
  7. Book: Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6: School Life - Feeling Good in and out of School . 117 . Marjorie R. Hancock . Amy A. Mclure . Janice V. Kristo . 2002 . NCTE . March 18, 2017.