Children’s Books on Trust
Part of LDS.net’s Series:
Having trust in those around us is important, but having trust in God is crucial. And not only should we trust others, but we need to be reliable and trustworthy in return. Help your kids learn to have faith in others and become someone others can have faith in through these children’s books on trust.
Books on Trust for Ages 3-5
The Lion and The Mouse
The Lion and The Mouse by Gail Herman and Lisa McCue retells one of Aesop’s classic fables. A mouse wakes up a lion, who threatens to eat the mouse for disturbing his nap. But the mouse pleads for mercy, promising the lion that he will help him in his time of need. Later, when the lion gets caught in a trap, the mouse proves trustworthy and frees him.
Howard B. Wigglebottom On Yes or No: A Fable About Trust
Howard B. Wigglebottom On Yes or No: A Fable About Trust by Howard Binkow and Taillefer Long is about rabbit Howard B. Wigglebottom. In this tale, he helps his friend Buzz learn who he should trust and how trust is earned.
The Promise: The Island of Commitment
The Promise: The Island of Commitment by Suzy Liebermann is about Hugo the Happy Starfish and his journey above the ocean. On this island, Hugo learns that he should always do what he says he will because being committed and keeping promises are important in showing that you are trustworthy.
Chicken Chickens
Chicken Chickens by Valeri Gorbachev is about two little chickens and their first visit to the playground. There are so many new and exciting things: swings, see-saws, and the merry-go-round. But the two little chickens are afraid to try out these playground toys. Eventually, they are convinced to try the slide, but get stuck at the top. In the end, a friendly beaver will convince these chickens to trust him that they will be okay.
Books on Trust for Ages 6-8
Baby Lamb Trusts the Shepherd
Baby Lamb Trusts the Shepherd by Lisa Garrett is about a baby lamb who gets so frightened that he runs away from the flock and is soon lost. But the baby lamb remembers the shepherd who cares for him. The baby lamb follows the shepherd’s voice, trusting that he will get baby lamb back to safety.
Being Trustworthy: A Book About Trustworthiness
How do you trust others? How can you be trustworthy? Being Trustworthy: A Book About Trustworthiness by Mary Small and Stacey Previn answers these questions by explaining the many ways kids can show trust and become trustworthy.
Chattaboonga’s Chilling Choice: A Story About Trusting God
Chattaboonga’s Chilling Choice: A Story About Trusting God by Sheila Walsh is about a chimp named Chattaboonga and her life in the Gnoo Zoo. When the zoo key is stolen, the Great White Tiger sends Chattaboonga and her friends on a quest to retrieve it. But Chattaboonga does not trust the Great White Tiger. Because of this, she puts herself in danger. In the end, Chattaboonga learns that the Great White Tiger will always be with her, and she can always put her trust in him.
Emma the Bumble Bee
Emma the Bumble Bee by Monica Dumont helps kids learn how to trust in themselves. Emma is going out to gather pollen for the first time, a very important duty for all bees to do. But Emma starts to doubt herself. What if she does it wrong? By the end of the story, Emma learns to believe in and trust herself to accomplish her duties.
The Signmaker’s Assistant
The Signmaker’s Assistant by Tedd Arnold is about Norman, who works with the signmaker and dreams of owning a shop of his own. While the signmaker is sleeping, Norman makes mischief and creates some of his own signs, causing havoc around town. But when the people blame the signmaker, losing trust in him and his signs, Norman realizes that he needs to take the blame and remedy his mistakes.
Books on Trust Ages 9-12
My Life as a Broken Bungee Cord
My Life as a Broken Bungee Cord by Bill Myers is about Wally McDoogle, who is in trouble again. When he participates in a hot air ballon race, catastrophe inevitably strikes. While his life is on the line, Wally learns to put his trust in God.
The Value of Truth and Trust: The Story of Cochise
The Value of Truth and Trust: The Story of Cochise by Ann Donegan Johnson and Steve Pileggi is about the real life Apache chief, Cochise. Growing up, Cochise’s father always told him to be honest so people would trust him. When he becomes chief, Cochise uses his honesty to help his tribe and the white settlers learn to trust one another.
Twenty and Ten
Twenty and Ten by Claire Hutchet Bishop and Janet Holly is set in France during World War 2. Twenty courageous school children work together and hide ten Jewish children from the Nazis. The Jewish children must trust their protectors to not give them away to the Nazis and to successfully hide them.
Having belief in others will help us have belief in God. We are taught to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart” (Proverbs 3:5), and we can teach our children how to trust Him through the stories of these books.
This is the last article of LDS.net’s “Stories by Virtue” series. We hope that you and your children have enjoyed reading the books we’ve suggested and learned important lessons from them as well.