The Honest-to-Goodness Truth

Narrated by the author, this iconographic-animated program is based on the 2000 picture book by Patricia C. McKissack and illustrator Giselle Potter. Young protagonist Libby Louise Sullivan makes a big mistake lying to her Mama about feeding and watering her pet horse Old Boss, but her mother's lecture on honesty is grossly misinterpreted by the curlicue-pigtailed girl, who embarks on a vigorous truth campaign. From pointing out the hole in her best friend's sock, to narcing out a classmate with unfinished homework, Libby's “honest-to-goodness” observations (including talking about a fellow student who has to borrow lunch money from the teacher, and telling an elderly neighbor that her yard resembles a jungle) ultimately make her persona non grata. Confused at the angry responses she receives for simply telling it like it is, Libby eventually learns an important lesson about courteous consideration. Featuring gouache and gesso illustrations, The Honest-to-Goodness Truth, with its true-to-life characters and expressive African-American regional speech is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)