Stories for Growing
Cover of Finn’s Little FibsAges 3 to 6
HonestyResponsibility

Finn’s Little Fibs

Tom Percival

Ages 3 to 6
About this age guidance

Kirkus: 3–6; Amazon reading age: 3–6; ReadingZone: 5+

The age tag follows Kirkus review. Other sources may suggest different ages. This is audience guidance, not an independent reading level.

Included in a library staff list of picture books about lying and honesty.

Finn breaks his grandmother’s clock by bouncing a ball inside, and tells her his sister did it. Every extra fib adds a blob that only he can see, and the blobs spoil the cuddles and the picnic. When Finn finally tells the whole truth, the blobs pop and Grandma reassures him.

Good forCaught in a lieTeaching honesty

Recommended by Johnson County Library staff lists

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What children see in the story

Finn’s lies grow heavier until he chooses to tell the whole truth, and the relief is shown on the page. He first pins the broken clock on Simone, then owns up to his own accident.

Why it’s on these shelves

Honesty
Finn breaks Grandma’s clock and tells her his sister Simone did it. Every new fib adds a blob only he can see, and the blobs pop once he tells Grandma the whole truth.
Responsibility
Finn first blames Simone for the clock he broke bouncing his ball indoors. After a weekend of fibs that spoil snuggling and a picnic lunch, he owns up, and Grandma is reassuring.

Why pick it up?

The blobs disappear once Finn tells the truth, and Grandma responds with reassurance.

A note for parents

Editorial caution: part of the Big Bright Feelings feelings series, with a visual metaphor (blobs) that Kirkus calls a very effective way to show how lying feels. It is lesson-shaped, but it has a plot, a choice and a character who acts. It is the closest to written-to-teach in this tranche; David may want to look. Edition: hardcover 9781547612932 has the Amazon listing used for ratings. A paperback (9781547617142) also exists. No Publishers Weekly review exists (PW page says not reviewed). Second and third pages are a UK teacher review and the publisher synopsis.

Where this recommendation comes from

Johnson County Library staff lists

Included in a library staff list of picture books about lying and honesty.

Read Johnson County Library’s recommendation
Sources and review status

We have checked source descriptions and drafted the value mapping. We have not personally reviewed the full book. The value labels, situation assignments, and parent notes remain provisional.

Publisher or literacy resource · Original recommendation

Our explanation of the value fit is separate from the original reviewer’s judgment. Their inclusion here does not imply an endorsement of Stories for Growing.

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