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Ridder Tim
Sir Tim Has a Secret
Real knights are always honest. But when Sir Tim accidentally rips his cape, he tries to blame his friend Max. And when Mom leaves a strawberry shortcake on the table, he sneaks a bite. Keeping all these secrets begins to give Sir Tim a bellyache...
A sweet and recognizable book about keeping secrets. For honest knights ages 4 and up.
A sweet and recognizable book about keeping secrets. For honest knights ages 4 and up.
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2020
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 8, 2020
This is an absolutely darling little book. I loved the illustrations and the clever mom who knows exactly what her son has been hiding. I loved the idea of secrets rumbling in his tummy. The interaction between the mom and little one are sweet, caring and believable. The lesson of honesty is clear and easy for a child to understand.
I would recommend this one for little ones under the age of 4.
I would recommend this one for little ones under the age of 4.
July 14, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Little Sir Tim is out playing at the park when he accidentally rips his cape. However, when he goes home and his mum asks him how his cape became ripped he makes up a story about his best friend causing his cape to rip rather than tell the truth.
His mum believes his lies and then shows Tim a cake she has gotten for after their dinner. When his mum leaves the kitchen, Tim can’t help himself and eats the whole cake blaming the cake eating on his dog. But will mum believe his lies this time too?
I’m a great believer in the fact that you need to teach kids discipline, manners, and honesty from a young age as it is so much easier than trying to instil these things as they get older. One of my biggest pet peeves is lying and I’ve explained to my children that telling the truth is always so much harder but also so much more rewarding than telling a lie because you do get a sense of relief afterward and that it is good to be seen as honest not someone who lies for no reason.
This book is a good example of the little lies that children tell. However, whilst I do think the meaning and the idea behind the book are very worthy, I’m not sure about some of the wording. Is it too PC these days to call a child a liar because that’s what a person who lies is? Also when Tim got a stomachache from eating all the strawberry shortcake the stomachache magically disappears when he has told the truth, this just wouldn’t happen. He has stomachache from eating too much cake not from being worried about lying.
Overall, I think it is a good start but I think parents/guardian’s need to make it clear to the child they are reading too that Tim did a bad thing and that he told lies and was naughty for doing so, as in my opinion as a mother of three, Tim’s mum is a little too soft on him.
Little Sir Tim is out playing at the park when he accidentally rips his cape. However, when he goes home and his mum asks him how his cape became ripped he makes up a story about his best friend causing his cape to rip rather than tell the truth.
His mum believes his lies and then shows Tim a cake she has gotten for after their dinner. When his mum leaves the kitchen, Tim can’t help himself and eats the whole cake blaming the cake eating on his dog. But will mum believe his lies this time too?
I’m a great believer in the fact that you need to teach kids discipline, manners, and honesty from a young age as it is so much easier than trying to instil these things as they get older. One of my biggest pet peeves is lying and I’ve explained to my children that telling the truth is always so much harder but also so much more rewarding than telling a lie because you do get a sense of relief afterward and that it is good to be seen as honest not someone who lies for no reason.
This book is a good example of the little lies that children tell. However, whilst I do think the meaning and the idea behind the book are very worthy, I’m not sure about some of the wording. Is it too PC these days to call a child a liar because that’s what a person who lies is? Also when Tim got a stomachache from eating all the strawberry shortcake the stomachache magically disappears when he has told the truth, this just wouldn’t happen. He has stomachache from eating too much cake not from being worried about lying.
Overall, I think it is a good start but I think parents/guardian’s need to make it clear to the child they are reading too that Tim did a bad thing and that he told lies and was naughty for doing so, as in my opinion as a mother of three, Tim’s mum is a little too soft on him.
August 3, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
4.5 stars.
This is a really cute story about a little boy (Tim) who loves to play at being a Knight. He tears his cape at the park and instead of telling the truth about how it happened he blames it on his best friend. Then another thing happens at home and he blames the dog Max for it.
I love the way Mum explains about keeping secrets and telling lies and how she subtly gets Tim to tell the truth.
This is an adorable story. I would rate it 5 stars but on one of the pages it says Mum takes Tim by the hand but she has her hand on his helmet on the illustration.
4.5 stars.
This is a really cute story about a little boy (Tim) who loves to play at being a Knight. He tears his cape at the park and instead of telling the truth about how it happened he blames it on his best friend. Then another thing happens at home and he blames the dog Max for it.
I love the way Mum explains about keeping secrets and telling lies and how she subtly gets Tim to tell the truth.
This is an adorable story. I would rate it 5 stars but on one of the pages it says Mum takes Tim by the hand but she has her hand on his helmet on the illustration.
November 10, 2020
3.5 stars: Sir Tim is a young boy who loves to take on the persona of a night. When he is not being honest with himself and others he gets a rumbling tummy. It is the secrets causing problems. His smart mom knows what is causing the problems and helps him make the right choice. I loved the illustrations and the easy to understand text. The relationship and actions between Tim and his mom are honest and realistic. I had one huge niggle with this story and it is the fact that Tim is not keeping secrets, but he is telling lies or untruths. When I read this story to my grandson, he immediately said that Sir Tim was lying. That is wrong, he needs to tell the truth. The lesson of honesty is clear and easy for a child to understand, but I want to use the word. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
July 20, 2020
A gentle little book, gently told, gently illustrated, about fibbing and the relief of honesty. I see that it could have its uses in child rearing. And there’s strawberry shortcake!
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I read an advance review digital copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley and this review is voluntary.
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I read an advance review digital copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley and this review is voluntary.
July 5, 2020
This is the second Sir Tim book I've read. I'm still not impressed.
The premise of this one is okay, but the writing is all over the place. You cannot nod your words! And having Sir Tim think things out loud is just silly. (Use the word "said" and be done with it.)
The kids' playground gave me the willies. (Sharp nails sticking out of the play structure to snag kids' clothing as they're going down the slide? Sounds like a recipe for a lawsuit.) The story is relatable, with Tim getting carried away with his lies--only to be given away by his dirty cheeks. But I think the text itself needs more work.
Overall, I don't think I'd recommend this. I prefer to see stronger writing in picture books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for providing a digital ARC.
The premise of this one is okay, but the writing is all over the place. You cannot nod your words! And having Sir Tim think things out loud is just silly. (Use the word "said" and be done with it.)
The kids' playground gave me the willies. (Sharp nails sticking out of the play structure to snag kids' clothing as they're going down the slide? Sounds like a recipe for a lawsuit.) The story is relatable, with Tim getting carried away with his lies--only to be given away by his dirty cheeks. But I think the text itself needs more work.
Overall, I don't think I'd recommend this. I prefer to see stronger writing in picture books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for providing a digital ARC.
July 9, 2020
Wonderful book! I like how the mom doesn't overreact and how she makes it safe to talk. I think that this book highlights how easy it is to let a lie run wild and how its hard but necessary to come clean. Kuddos to Koppens!!
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. The opinions stated are my own.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. The opinions stated are my own.
July 24, 2020
Honesty is the best policy and Sir Tim, the wanna be knight, has to learn that very valuable life lesson through experience.
Sir Tim has a red knight's cape that he adores and it is on him constantly. One day while playing with his friend Max at the playground he flies down the slide and accidentally snags his cape on a nail and it rips. When mom asks him what he did to his cape Sir Tim blames the tear on his friend Max. Oh my that is a dishonest answer.
Mom tries to cheer him up by offering him a beautiful slice of strawberry short cake that she has whipped up to share together later. Tim perks up significantly and can't wait to indulge in his favourite cake. Mom leaves for a few minutes to gather up the groceries from the market that she has left in the car.
Temptation overcomes Tim and he decides to eat just one little red strawberry. Yum! Tasty! Then he loses total control and scarfs down the whole cake! What will his mom say when she discovers the cake has totally disappeared? Will Tim make up another falsehood to cover up what really happened or will he be honest and tell her the truth?
I love stories with a moral. Moral messages shape and make people better as they journey through life. I like when mom hears Tim's truth. She handles it not as a punishing moment but as a teaching moment. Her reaction to her little boy in meltdown mode is sweet, caring and relatable. The author makes this important value clear and easy for kids to understand. I highly recommend this book.
Sir Tim has a red knight's cape that he adores and it is on him constantly. One day while playing with his friend Max at the playground he flies down the slide and accidentally snags his cape on a nail and it rips. When mom asks him what he did to his cape Sir Tim blames the tear on his friend Max. Oh my that is a dishonest answer.
Mom tries to cheer him up by offering him a beautiful slice of strawberry short cake that she has whipped up to share together later. Tim perks up significantly and can't wait to indulge in his favourite cake. Mom leaves for a few minutes to gather up the groceries from the market that she has left in the car.
Temptation overcomes Tim and he decides to eat just one little red strawberry. Yum! Tasty! Then he loses total control and scarfs down the whole cake! What will his mom say when she discovers the cake has totally disappeared? Will Tim make up another falsehood to cover up what really happened or will he be honest and tell her the truth?
I love stories with a moral. Moral messages shape and make people better as they journey through life. I like when mom hears Tim's truth. She handles it not as a punishing moment but as a teaching moment. Her reaction to her little boy in meltdown mode is sweet, caring and relatable. The author makes this important value clear and easy for kids to understand. I highly recommend this book.
July 13, 2020
'Sir Tim Has a Secret' by Judith Koppens with illustrations by Eline van Lindenhuizen is a picture book about a young boy who is trying to hide something.
Sir Tim loves his cape, but when he slides with it, and it tears, he knows he might be in trouble, so he blames his friend Max. When this seems to work, Sir Tim uses the blame idea to blame his dog. His mom knows something is up, and confronts Tim.
Telling the truth is important, and this book covers that, but it never calls what Tim does a lie. I had a problem with the softening of the message that way.
The illustrations are fun, although the dangers in that playground are kind of hilarious.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Clavis Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Sir Tim loves his cape, but when he slides with it, and it tears, he knows he might be in trouble, so he blames his friend Max. When this seems to work, Sir Tim uses the blame idea to blame his dog. His mom knows something is up, and confronts Tim.
Telling the truth is important, and this book covers that, but it never calls what Tim does a lie. I had a problem with the softening of the message that way.
The illustrations are fun, although the dangers in that playground are kind of hilarious.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Clavis Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
July 8, 2020
In what is at least the third book in this series, the un-chivalrous young knight grasses that his friend ripped his cape when they were playing, which wasn't true, then tries the same blag again when he – well, that would be telling. More successful than the other one I'd seen with this character, we get a simple tale of how a porky will be found out, and how you'll get tummy ache until you tell the truth anyway. It's a reasonable short tale, but like all tales that are half moral lesson and half entertainment, not something a young child will return to too often. But for showing the sentiment in a pretty reasonable way, this is three and a half stars from me.
July 10, 2020
Sir Tim has made a few mistakes today, and when he is asked about them he doesn’t tell the truth. A very sweet story that teaches us why we should tell the truth in a way that is relatable to younger children.
This book would be a perfect addition to a Kindergarten classroom. The illustrations are cute, and the story is sweet with the child learning a lesson about the importance of telling truths without scolding. I am looking forward to incorporating it into my unit lesson on manners with a four year old class of preschoolers.
I received this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book would be a perfect addition to a Kindergarten classroom. The illustrations are cute, and the story is sweet with the child learning a lesson about the importance of telling truths without scolding. I am looking forward to incorporating it into my unit lesson on manners with a four year old class of preschoolers.
I received this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2020
Sir Tim Has a Secret by Judith Koppens is a cute story about a little boy named Sir Tim who learns that lying and keeping secrets make him feel bad, and telling the truth makes him feel better. It's well written, and would probably be best read to kids ages 4-6. My daughter is 2.5, and although she enjoyed the beautiful illustrations and eagerly pointed out the dog every time he appeared, she didn't have the attention span to listen to the whole story.
My sister teachers kindergarten and grade one, and I'll definitely recommend that she pick up a copy of this one for the new school year!
My sister teachers kindergarten and grade one, and I'll definitely recommend that she pick up a copy of this one for the new school year!
July 8, 2020
Sir Tim Has a Secret by Judith Koppens is a sweet book that illustrates the value of honesty to young readers. When Sir Tim rips his knight cape on the playground, one lie quickly turns into another, but his mom catches on and turns it into a teaching moment. The fun and beautiful illustrations will keep little audiences engaged for the moral of the story.
Many thanks to Clavis Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Many thanks to Clavis Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.
July 27, 2020
This sweetly illustrated picture book is one in a series of stories about Sir Tim. In this one, Tim has told some lies. Gently, the story helps young listeners to understand that it is important to tell the truth and that it is okay to make mistakes. This book could help parents to open an important topic for discussion with their toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2020
Sir Tim has a cape that gets ripped at the playground. He tells his mom, his friend Max did it. She gives him a treat to share that he eats all up when she is not looking, and then says the dog did it. Yes, Tim’s secrets are his lies. They give him a tummy ache and he eventually confesses. There are lots of books on kids learning not to lie. This one will just go in the pile with all the others.
July 9, 2020
This book was LOVELY! I want to buy a copy for my niece. Sir Tim learned the importance of honesty and how lying can have mental and physical effects on you. After he comes clean, he feels so much better. The story was simple, but well done and I think any child would benefit from reading it. Not to mention the illustrations were ADORABLE.
July 19, 2020
Thank you for giving me a chance to read this book beforehand.
It's rare nowadays to find a polite kids. Now where did they go? This book is a good tool to help kids remember their manners, this one about lying. No good comes from not telling the truth and the adults know. And the knowledge should be passed on in a gentle manner, through this book, for example.
It's rare nowadays to find a polite kids. Now where did they go? This book is a good tool to help kids remember their manners, this one about lying. No good comes from not telling the truth and the adults know. And the knowledge should be passed on in a gentle manner, through this book, for example.
July 6, 2020
This is a fantastic little picture book on the importance of honesty. I love how the mom is written and how she handles the situation.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
July 18, 2020
This was such a sweet children’s book to read, Sir Tim had some things happen and he chose to lie about how the incidents came about. This was a great lesson for children to see how telling the truth and being honest is the best all around. A short but beautifully illustrated children's book.
July 28, 2020
I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from Judith Koppens and Clavis Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a good book explaining lies and why it is better to tell the truth to small children in a fun way. The illustrations were sweet.
This was a good book explaining lies and why it is better to tell the truth to small children in a fun way. The illustrations were sweet.
October 12, 2021
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sir Tim is a cute character. I'm sure children will relate to the story of Tim not wanting to tell the truth and get in trouble. The story flows well and the pictures are adorable.
Sir Tim is a cute character. I'm sure children will relate to the story of Tim not wanting to tell the truth and get in trouble. The story flows well and the pictures are adorable.
February 2, 2022
This is a cute story about a little boy knight, who tries to blame others for his mistakes. Saying these lies gives him a tummy ache.
The mom in this book is very kind and patient. I love that the mom can “hear” the secrets bubbling in Tim’s belly.
The mom in this book is very kind and patient. I love that the mom can “hear” the secrets bubbling in Tim’s belly.
February 17, 2023
The story is fun and the illustration is cute. I like the plot when Sir Tim got stomached and his mom said the reason he felt sick because there were secret that he kept in his stomach. I love the dialogue between him dan his mother to tell the truth and be honest.
Want to read
July 13, 2020Note: I received a digital review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 18, 2020
It's good, talking about honesty without being judgemental. Sometimes kids (or adults as well) already knew that it's wrong to lie.
August 15, 2020
Actual rating - 3.5.
October 12, 2020
Sir Tim has a secret, and it's a big one. His mom helps him learn to take responsibility for his actions. This is a quick read with a valuable lesson for children.
January 1, 2021
A cool and nice yet simple story to tell kids how lying is bad. How they should always be honest, that honesty is indeed the best policy. A must-read for kids so that importance of Honesty is established at an young age and they turn out to be honest adults.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews