Lying Up a Storm: A Picture Book About Telling the Truth

Excellent book for all ages. Great Grandson loves reading 2nd grader.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher National Center for Youth Issues in exchange for an honest review on Amazon. I am a parent of three kids, ages six, five, and three. I also teach third grade at a high poverty school in Indiana. I have found several of Julia Cook’s books useful to teach with to both my class and my kids. Lying is a topic at some point, every educator and parent has to deal with. It may be my three year old telling me he didn’t do something (when he did), or he could be a group of children in class lying about an action they did or didn’t do. Small or big, one thing is for certain, every child will lie at some point. This book is for children that you may find him or her lying a lot of little lies. Lying up a Storm introduces the reader to Levi. Levi has a problem. You might have already guessed it…lying. Levi lies A LOT. He lies about washing his hands, cleaning his room, letting the dog out, etc...And the worst part he, at the start, he doesn’t believe it is wrong. After all, they are just tiny lies, what harm can they do….right? As you read through the story, you see exactly how lying effects Levi…and he doesn’t feel very great about it. Levi asks his mom if she ever lies. She shares an honest story about a recent time she lied…and how it made her feel. This is a great added element to the story because it makes it so much more relatable. Children can see that everyone could have struggles with lying, even adults BUT the feeling you get from lying is not ever worth anything you may get or avoid from the lie. The last section of the book Levi has to go and correct all the lies he told the previous day. I like this resolution because it holds Levi accountable to his actions. Even though it is hard to do, Levi feels much better telling the truth. This is the main point. If we lie we will experience guilt and sadness. Even though telling the truth may require more work, or have a consequence, it is always better than the alternative. As usual in Julia Cook’s books there is a section in the back expanding on further tips for parents and educators. I found this section in this book very insightful with easy, practical suggestions. This book would be appropriate for a wide variety of ages, probably a mature toddler age all the way up to upper elementary. It is a read book to read aloud and facilitate discussion with. I would highly recommend this book to parents and educators that feel they need help with teaching the topic of lying. It is an easily understood book that will keep a child’s attention.

Had a little lying incident with a 10 year-old. I wanted a good book with a lesson on lying as part of his punishment he needed to read it aloud and then write a book report with great detail and this is the book I chose and it was perfect. Cute story and just right for kids probably five to maybe 11 or so

This is a great little book for helping our kiddo to understand, in an age-appropriate manner, the personal impact of a lie.

I am a school social worker and I purchased this book for a classroom lesson on the consequences of our choices. I think it will work well for this lesson, however, after reading this story I would probably recommend this book for 2nd graders and up. The language and story is a bit advanced to capture the attention younger students. I like the lesson that this story teachers, however, I feel like the story isn't very well written. One page (or paragraph) will be written in a rhyming style, and the next won't. The story is also somewhat unrealistic with the boy going from lying about everything to not lying at all overnight.

Great for therapy

We absolutely love this book. My son (5) had been dabbling in lying so we figured a book might help him understand why it’s not good. He really seems impacted by this book and the way the author uses the idea of “your inside sun.” Some of the scenarios are for older kids but my little one understands it just as well. I definitely recommend this book for parents who have a little one lying because it really gets their attention.

Excellent book with an excellent message. Our 8 year old enjoys this book and reads it often....just because. These books have definitely captured our attention as great tools for helping children understand life lessons without having to wait until they mess up to teach them while you are upset with them and they are upset with themselves and the fact that they are in trouble. I believe it allows the messages to sink in a little better by removing the punishment phase and being proactive rather than reactive in a situation with their behavior. Many titles and so far we have loved each one we have purchaed.

I really enjoyed reading this with my son. It explained the consequences of lying beautifully that is appropriate for kids. He wanted to read it again and again.

Good book for children who need some help..

My preschooler son started telling little fibs so I got this book. After only a couple of times reading this book, my son leans his head down to show us he isn't telling lies because he doesn't have a storm cloud. It really helped us explain in his terms the consequences of telling lies.

This is an excellent book to explain the feelings and negative consequences of lying. My Grade 1 students really connected with the presentation of this topic. Julia Cook is a wonderful author that explains social issues in a way that younger kids can fully understand.

This has been really helpful with our 5yo in reshaping the conversation around her lying. It definitely speaks about the topic at her level and she’s referenced the story a couple of times - she’s clearly taken the message on board :)