Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Gilbert and Friends

by Diane deGroat

Book by de Groat, Diane

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Kids

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story but a little heavy-handed with the message.

[Jenna]

This is a good book because it teaches about telling the truth and responsibility, he has to learn to tell the truth and be honest to be the best person he can be also it teaches a little abotu how to be sucessful you should be honest and relates that lesson to how honest george washington was.

[Hannah Wright]

This book is about an opossum whose name is Gilbert. He is picked to play George Washington for his group's performance of George Washington and the Cherry Tree. Gilbert kept on practicing his part by saying "I cannot tell a lie". He also had a hat for his performance and was told to leave it at school. He took it home and forgot to bring it back. His mom ended up bringing it and he realized that what he did was wrong. He was still able to play the part of George Washington and did not mess up his lines. This is an enjoyable book that has a great lesson in it. This book would be great in the classroom it combines a moment in history with why it is wrong to lie.

[Sydnee Gann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gilbert, a shy student, is hesitant when he gets the lead role in his groups play on George Washington- the part his costars so desperately wanted. He becomes so immersed in his lines, "I cannot tell a lie...," he begins hurting others feelings with his blunt statements. Will Gilbert overcome his nerves and succeed in his production? Read to find out!

I liked this book quite a lot.

I would definitely have this book in my library and have students read it before they present something in front of the whole class.

[Christine.Newmanbetheluniversityedu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade: 1-3
This book has colorful pictures and animals as characters. This book is great to teach lessons on telling the truth. It has a lesson that lying can hurts other's feelings. There is also little bits of details about presidents in this book that can go along with some social studies lessons.

[Terri Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Gilbert the porcupine who is nervous about having a part in a play. He gets selected to play George Washington and learns the line, “I cannot tell a lie.” This line eventually gets him into trouble.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a good story to discuss lying, but this one was a bit convoluted. A lot of concepts are being discussed with not enough time given to any of them.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire starts out with Gilbert in school and finding out that he was going to be in a play. Gilbert is nervous about making a mistake, something any child, and many adults, can relate to.
Gilbert wants to be the cherry tree in the play about George Washington because then his input would be minimal. When some others start to argue about which role they want the teacher steps in with the old names in the hat routine. Poor Gilbert picks Washington himself.
Gilbert snuck the hat he was to wear for the play into his bookbag so he could practice at home - knowing the costumes were to stay at the school. Of course when Gilbert gets to school the next day he finds the hat isn't in his bookbag. He has no idea his younger sister swiped it and blames another student which starts a dominoe effect of drama.
In the end Gilbert's teacher has the hat because Gilbert's parent brought it in (note the look on the baby sisters face when they're at the door handing the hat back - loved it!) and Gilbert goes on to play Washington ---- with no mistakes.
I think some minor changes would have made a big difference here. The fire alarm rumor for instance could have been done away with, it didn't really show, IMO, what I think it was meant to. Other than that it's a cool book that kids can definitely relate to.

[Zach Faus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Realistic fiction
1st grade to 3rd grade
I enjoyed this book very much and thought it gave a great lesson on lying and teaching children why you shouldn't lie. I thought this book also gave a real situation that many children could relate to. This book is great for teachers to read during President's Day and get children excited about it.

[John Matsuura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book created a very good learning experience for children as it briefly told the story of several historical events in American history. It told the story about a class who was assigned to act out a play that depicted a time in history. The main character, Gilbert, was shy and believed he would nervous when talking in front of the other students, although to his disbelief, when the roles were randomly assigned he got the main part playing George Washington. After trying on the George Washington hat and practicing his lines during school he found that he enjoyed his part. He decided to sneak the hat home, breaking his teachers rules, to practice even more so he didn't forget his lines. The next day when he returned to school he forgot his hat. He immediately turned to one of his classmates and accused him for taking it even though he knew it was his own fault. Gilbert finally fessed up and told his teacher what had happened. Although she was disappointed in Gilbert, she forgave him for telling the truth, just as George Washington did when he was caught cutting down the apple tree.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 3 year old son told a lie this morning. He didn't want to finish his breakfast, so he told me that he needed to use the bathroom. I unbuckled him from his booster seat, but he had no desire to use the bathroom. He just said that so I would let him down. I tried to explain to him what lying means and that we shouldn't lie. I don't know if he totally understood me. We were at the library this afternoon and I just happened to see this book. I checked it out & read it to him. I still don't know if he completely understands what a lie is, but it was a nice introduction.

[Avel Rudenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

This kid, personified animal, get's in trouble for taking a George Washington hat home. He keeps telling himself, "I am George Washington, I cannot tell a lie" mmmkay! Okay, this book teaches self-righteousness very well, but I feel like it uses fear tactics too much, for goodness sake it's a hat for a play. He ends up saying the parts of his play without any mistakes, and that's the "Truth". Dull read, "knock yourself out".

[Codie Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilbert is portraying a President Washington in front of his class. He wanted to be the cherry tree, so he wouldn't have to say anything. but his teacher makes them draw parts out of a hat. Gilbert is really nervous that he will mess up and not remember his lines. When he takes home his hat, and loses it, he tells a lie. Soon he finds out that he needs to tell the truth, just like Washington does.

A great book about presidents as an introduction to the unit.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great book that incorporated history and a lesson to be learned. The book was about a student who just wanted to be in the background of everything and keep to himself and he ended up getting the lead in a play as George Washington. He took his hat home which was not allowed and his sister took it out of his bag. When he got to school the next day, he was caught in a lie about where the hat was.

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The animal friends at school learn a lesson about telling the truth and withholding information when Gilbert is assigned a report and play about George Washington. He also learns a lesson at home that sometimes not stating the truth is better if the truth hurts someone's feelings. Young readers will enjoy the story, the morals are gently presented.

[Whitney Zollman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute story about being polite and not lying. It also gives a great example about a little boy being nervous for his upcomming play, and when it came time for him to go he did a wonderful job. This would be a great book to share with students!

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoy Gilbert. His books have such unexpected messages. I love that there is always something to learn. In this book, Gilbert learns a very big lesson about truth and honesty. As usual, his family, friends and teacher are right there with him to drive the lesson home.

[CLM]

I love this author, and somehow missed this title because she has switched publishers.

[Cws]

JEAR3-deG

[Amanda]

Good way to introduce the concept of lying.

[Drew Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice children's book that students can learn that they always need to tell the truth. It would also be great introduction book to start a class play.

[Haim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book to introduce children to the idea of honesty. I read this book to my son on Washington's birthday and he quite liked it.

[Avaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uh-oh beware "what a tangled web we weave, when first we try to deceive". Learning lessons is a harsh reality, but no one is perfect as this book will explain to little ones.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is packed with great messages about working together, being honest, and persevering. Also good for making predictions.