The Tail That Told the Truth follows a young fox who, if he tells a lie, has his tail change colors, causing him great embarrassment. What sparked the idea of a fox whose tail changes color when he lies?

The concept grew out of observing how children experience honesty long before they can fully explain it. In my own life, watching children navigate moments of truth, hesitation, and accountability–including my own–made it clear that these experiences are deeply emotional and often confusing. I wanted to translate that internal process into something concrete and visible. The fox, traditionally associated with cleverness, provided a familiar character, while the tail became a visual metaphor for how truth has a way of surfacing, even when we wish it wouldn’t.

The book frames honesty as something to practice, not something to fear. Why was that approach important to you?

Honesty is often taught through consequence rather than understanding. From both observation and experience, it’s clear that children don’t avoid honesty because they lack values, but because they fear disappointment or punishment. Framing honesty as a practice allows room for growth, reflection, and reassurance. It shifts the focus from being “caught” to learning how to do better, reinforcing honesty as a skill that strengthens with guidance and patience.

What conversations do you hope this story opens between children and adults?

I hope the story encourages adults to slow down and ask why instead of reacting immediately. Conversations about why a child felt compelled to lie-fear, uncertainty, or a desire to belong-are often far more meaningful than focusing solely on the behavior itself. The book is meant to create a safe entry point for discussions about accountability, trust, and empathy, helping adults model the kind of honesty they hope to see. The story was intentionally written to work both as a quiet read-aloud and as a starting point for gentle discussion, allowing children to engage with the idea of honesty at their own pace.

Will this book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?

Yes, this book is part of a broader emotional-growth series focused on helping children understand and navigate internal experiences such as honesty, self-trust, belonging, and emotional regulation. Each story stands on its own while contributing to a larger framework designed to support meaningful conversations at home and in educational settings. Additional titles in the series are currently in development.

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