About the Book

When Ruthie finds a tiny toy on the school playground, she can hardly believe her luck. Theres just one problem: it belongs to somebody else. Ruthie insists the toy is hers, but deep down, she knows better. Rankin touches on an important childhood issue with gentleness and humor. Full color.

Book Synopsis

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 problem: 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?

Review Quotes

"The sprightly artwork is cheery in all respects, except when it comes to Ruthie. With subtle brushstrokes, Rankin captures all the varied emotions Ruthie goes through: glee, defiance, worry, fear, and eventually relief." --Booklist

"Emotionally authentic in text and art, this story gets its message across without preaching....An excellent choice for bibliotherapy as well as for entertaining reading." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Laura Rankin is the creator of The Handmade Alphabet, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, and Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie. She is the illustrator of many other books for children, including A Balloon for Isabel, by Deborah Underwood. She lives in Easton, Maryland.