What happens when you can't see yourself clearly anymore?
Discover a magical journey that teaches children the power of honesty, courage, and truth.
In The Human Compass: The Mirror Lake, Ari and his wise companion Shaka Bird follow the golden compass to a lake so clear it shows everything — including the things we try to hide. When a mischievous reflection steps out of the water and whispers that lying makes life easier, Ari must make a choice: take the easy path, or be brave enough to tell the truth.
Because at the Mirror Lake, every lie makes the water go gray.
Perfect for children ages 4–9, this beautifully illustrated story blends gentle adventure with meaningful life lessons about honesty, integrity, and self-awareness.
- Helps children understand why honesty matters — even when it's hard
- Explores the feeling of guilt and the relief of telling the truth
- Encourages self-reflection and emotional courage
- deal for bedtime reading, classroom discussion, or conversations about honesty
Part of The Human Compass series — 10 adventures teaching love, courage, gratitude, patience, and wisdom for ages 4–10.
If your child has ever told a small lie to avoid trouble — and felt their stomach hurt afterward — this is the story they need to hear.
Rick W. Gardner is a storyteller, songwriter, and creator of The Human Compass - a children's book series designed to help young readers navigate life through values like love, truthfulness, courage, and compassion.Blending imaginative storytelling with meaningful life lessons, Rick creates stories that inspire emotional growth, self-awareness, and kindness in children ages 5-9. His work is centered around the idea that every child carries an inner compass - one that can guide them toward thoughtful choices and a deeper understanding of themselves and others.Rick is also the founder of Shaka Bird Studios, where he develops books, music, and multimedia experiences that bring The Human Compass to life across multiple platforms.Through his stories, Rick hopes to empower children and families to explore what it means to grow with heart, purpose, and awareness.