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Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie
Laura Rankin touches on an important childhood issue of lying with gentleness and humor, offering a reassuring look at how standing up for the truth can help cut even the biggest mistake down to size.
Ruthie loves little things-the smaller the better. So when she finds a teeny tiny camera on the school playground one afternoon, she can hardly believe her luck. She wants to keep the camera in the worst way, but there's one little It isn't hers.
Ruthie swears to her teacher and to her classmate Martin that she got the camera for her birthday. But deep down, Ruthie knows better, and all day long that teeny tiny camera weighs on her conscience until she can hardly stand it. How could one little camera turn into such a great big problem?
Ruthie loves little things-the smaller the better. So when she finds a teeny tiny camera on the school playground one afternoon, she can hardly believe her luck. She wants to keep the camera in the worst way, but there's one little It isn't hers.
Ruthie swears to her teacher and to her classmate Martin that she got the camera for her birthday. But deep down, Ruthie knows better, and all day long that teeny tiny camera weighs on her conscience until she can hardly stand it. How could one little camera turn into such a great big problem?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
8 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
October 6, 2020
I am a volunteer reader to preschoolers, and I’d wondered if this book would hold the attention of 4-year-olds because (1) Covid-19 means I’m reading over an iPad, and (2) this book has more text than some others I’d been reading to this group. Well, the illustrations are clear and bright enough that even as I held pages up to my iPad’s camera, I could see the children’s eyes taking in every detail.
And even more importantly, the STORY and the EMOTIONS of this book translate very well to a virtual audience. I asked the kids if they’d ever told a lie, and I’d periodically ask them how they thought Ruthie was feeling inside as her lie festered inside her. The children’s eyes over their masked (for Covid) faces were growing wider and wider.
Of course, if you’re lucky enough to have children sitting in the same room with you, I think you will all enjoy this book together — and have a great discussion afterwards. I’d say ages 4 and up will love this book.
And even more importantly, the STORY and the EMOTIONS of this book translate very well to a virtual audience. I asked the kids if they’d ever told a lie, and I’d periodically ask them how they thought Ruthie was feeling inside as her lie festered inside her. The children’s eyes over their masked (for Covid) faces were growing wider and wider.
Of course, if you’re lucky enough to have children sitting in the same room with you, I think you will all enjoy this book together — and have a great discussion afterwards. I’d say ages 4 and up will love this book.
January 30, 2020
Expressively illustrated, good for dealing with feelings of frustration or disappointment when things don't go a child's way
June 5, 2019
This is the story of Ruthie the fox. Ruthie loved everything small. All of her toys were tiny. If she went anywhere, she always took tiny things in her pockets. One day at school, Ruthie finds a tiny camera on the playground. She fell in love with it! Until Martin comes up to her asking for his camera back. Ruthie wanted it so bad, so she told him that it was HER camera! Once they got inside, Martin told the teacher. Ruthie still said it was hers. The teacher took the camera and said they would discuss it tomorrow. When Ruthie got home, she knew she had done something wrong. She wouldn't eat and was on the verge of tears. She ended up telling her parents. They explained to her that she made a mistake and she needed to apologize and tell the teacher tomorrow. Ruthie was so afraid that she would get in trouble and Martin would never talk to her again.
This is a great book. I really like the story behind it and how it can relate so well to our students. Our situations do not always work out like this but this book is a great example for teaching the students.
This would be good to read at any time during the year, especially the beginning. It would be good to discuss why it is important not to take other people's things and the importance of telling the truth. In the end, things will always be better if you tell the truth.
This is a great book. I really like the story behind it and how it can relate so well to our students. Our situations do not always work out like this but this book is a great example for teaching the students.
This would be good to read at any time during the year, especially the beginning. It would be good to discuss why it is important not to take other people's things and the importance of telling the truth. In the end, things will always be better if you tell the truth.
January 26, 2024
Ruthie loves little things, and this leads her to love a little camera she finds on the playground one day. But, the camera is not hers. Ruthie tells a lie in the book, but eventually, she knows that what she did was wrong and learns her lesson through forgiveness and learning to be content.
This book is very well written and has a good moral lesson for children and all of us to learn. I enjoyed that Laura Rankin told a story of telling the truth and kindness in a fictional way, making it enjoyable to read.
I would read this book in circle time in my classroom. It is well written, and could help with basic math and literature, but also teaches a valuable lesson all children need to learn.
This book is very well written and has a good moral lesson for children and all of us to learn. I enjoyed that Laura Rankin told a story of telling the truth and kindness in a fictional way, making it enjoyable to read.
I would read this book in circle time in my classroom. It is well written, and could help with basic math and literature, but also teaches a valuable lesson all children need to learn.
October 20, 2016
This book is about a fox named Ruthie. She loves teeny tiny things but finds out that some things turn out to not be so teeny tiny. She is on the playground one day and finds a camera that is teeny tiny. She falls in love with this camera and starts taking pictures but her friend sees it and tells her that this is his camera. Ruthie lies about the camera being hers. The teacher takes it saying they would take about it tomorrow. Ruthie quickly realizes a teeny tiny lie can be a lot bigger than she thought. This book is a great one to teach children about telling lies. I would use this book in my class to teach my students that it is not good to tell lies even if we think they are tiny ones.
June 2, 2021
Ruby learns a hard lesson about telling the truth. She loves tiny things and readers see how many teeny things she collects. Then she finds a tiny camera on the playground and lies that it is hers. She realizes how much better she feels after she tells the truth to her parents and her teacher and friend the next day.
Terrific illustrations emphasize how small everything is until she tells this lie.
Terrific illustrations emphasize how small everything is until she tells this lie.
September 16, 2021
Ruthie loves all things tiny. So one day when she found a tiny camera on the playground she is filled with excitement. Her excitement however doesn't last too much longer when Martin approaches her demanding HIS camera back. Ruthie lies to the teacher saying it is HER camera and as the day goes on the guilt she feels about her lie becomes overwhelming. This book would be a great aloud book for younger kids to teach about the importance of telling the truth.
June 12, 2017
In Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie, Ruthie LOVES teeny tiny treasures. One day at recess, when Ruthie was twirling on the twirling bar, she spotted an minuscule camera. Ruthie adores it! But her classmate, Martin, claims it's his! Laura Rankin says it perfectly: "But Ruthie wanted that teeny tiny camera in the worst way." So she lies. A little one. Or is it?
May 6, 2019
Ruthie is a sweet little fox who LOVES tiny things, she finds a tiny toy on the playground and gets very excited about it and insists that it is hers, however, it is not hers and her teeny tiny lie happens to turn into quite the problem. This cute character shows students a valuable lesson.
F&P: C
AR: 0.7
6 Characteristics:
Voice, word choice
F&P: C
AR: 0.7
6 Characteristics:
Voice, word choice
June 15, 2021
Beautifully illustrated, this story will be relatable to so many kids! Ruthie finds something she loves on the playground and then lies about it, saying that it's hers. The lie begins to eat her up inside. While the ending felt a bit trite, the story is aimed at 3-7 year olds so it's appropriate. Definitely a good one to use in a story time about feelings, kindness, manners, or friendship.
December 17, 2021
I picked this up at the library because my mom was named Ruth and I want to read books like this in her memory. Ruthie finds a little camera on the playground but says it's hers, but it isn't. Ruthie finds out that telling a lie sometimes makes you feel bad. The illustrations are so cute and colorful and I think little ones will really like this book.
February 18, 2018
Little Ruthie loves the small little things in life, but a big lie brings everything to a screeching halt. Ruthie has to overcome her not so small lie in order to continue to appreciate the small things in life. Another great social story for kiddos that attacks a not so teeny tiny topic.
September 25, 2018
A sweet story with adorable illustrations. Ruthie loved teeny tiny things, and one day she found a wee little camera on the playground. When another child says it's his, that he'd lost it, Ruthie lies that it's hers. Things get worse and worse for Ruthie. Great ending.
May 15, 2019
Hienosti rakennettu tarina oikein ja väärin -tekemisestä. Roosa kertoo valheen, joka painaa häntä loppupäivän. Kuinka asian voisi ratkaista? Kirjassa on kuvailtu hienosti tunteita, joita väärin tekeminen aiheuttaa.
February 23, 2021
This post-modernism book is a great read and is a book I would like to read in my class one day. This is a type of book I have never seen before and addressing lying and how we shouldn't lie is something to be taught to every student. This was a cute book as well!
February 3, 2023
One of my favorite children’s books, beautifully illustrated with precious animal characters going through challenges every human will have to tackle. Love to give this a gift to my favorite littles. Plus, a local author!
April 23, 2024
This book is great for teaching kids the importance of telling the truth. Ruthie made a mistake and told a lie about her camera, but she felt bad about it and later decided to confess. I would have this in my classroom.
August 20, 2017
Oh, this was really cute. Perfect for reading aloud to PreK-1st grade.
October 19, 2017
Great story about making the right choice and telling the truth after finding a great treasure. Wonderful drawings and is good for sharing feelings with kids.
September 3, 2018
A fun play on an everyday. My kids and I loved it.
November 3, 2018
Great for teaching honesty
December 22, 2018
This is a simple story of a girl who tells a lie. I like how the story describes the only feeling that comes with being dishonest. This is one my son (4yo) requests over and over.
January 9, 2019
Strong book about lying and have the strength to tell the truth!
October 4, 2020
I read it last night to my friends' daughter Klara. We really enjoyed it. It teaches children moral and honesty in a lovely way.
January 28, 2021
I like a good book about making amends for wrong-doings.
July 15, 2022
A good easy picture book about the harm lies can have on others and ourselves.
December 6, 2022
Bold illustrations and a relatable storyline for all children. The dilemma and conclusion came across as very plausible. This is a great book about truth and courage.
February 5, 2023
A must read for all elementary kids. I have things taken this week out of the library... a timely read for sure.
August 2, 2023
Ruthie loves collecting all things smalls, but when she finds a small camera on the playground at school and claims it as her own, Ruthie is faced a big problem.
June 21, 2024
As someone who truly thinks on of the worst things one can do to another is lie, this book teaches a great lesson. We'll be coming back to this one over and over and over.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews