I Promise

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About I Promise

Product Description "What's a promise?"When Baby Bear asks Mother Bear this important question, she promises her cub that she will feed him, play with him, and do everything she can to keep him safe. But Baby Bear has more questions: What happens if you break a promise? Can his mother promise that he will always be happy? In this sweetly poignant story from celebrated artist David McPhail, a loving parent has just the right words for explaining that some things in life simply can't be promised--but family love is forever. From School Library Journal PreS—A charming book that centers on a complex subject. Baby Bear asks his mother, "What's a promise?" and Mother Bear answers in a simple way so her young cub can understand. She explains what it means to make a promise and what it means when one is broken. When Baby Bear asks her if she promises that he will always be happy, Mother Bear lets him know that that is not possible. She does say that she will do what she can to help but his happiness ultimately depends upon him. His mother does promise to feed him, play with him, and keep him safe. She also promises to love him forever…no matter what. The conversation between Mother Bear and Baby Bear is worded in a childlike way. The illustrations, done in pen-and-ink and watercolor, are soft and appealing. As readers follow the two characters throughout the events during the day, it's interesting to be reminded that they are still animals as they exhibit typical bear behavior. They are depicted playing in the river, climbing a tree, and getting honey from a beehive. VERDICT This book does a good job getting its reassuring message across in a manner that young ones can understand. A perfect choice for one-on-one sharing.—Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA Review Praise for I Promise: * "McPhail's lush naturescapes provide an expansive backdrop for the bears' intimate discussions and tender moments, which will be instantly recognizable to parents and children alike."― Publishers Weekly "[An] endearing read. Thought-provoking text laces page after page of comforting and eye-catching bucolic scenes.... Great as a conversation starter, a parent-child bonding moment, or a cuddly bedtime read."― Booklist "Ideal for starting discussions about promises and expressing motherly love."― Kirkus Reviews "A charming book that centers on a complex subject.... soft and appealing.... A perfect choice for one-on-one sharing."― School Library Journal Praise for All the Awake Animals Are Almost Asleep: * "With meticulous inking and a palette of watercolors that glows with the soft colors of dusk and twilight, McPhail portrays an animal world where sleep is a welcome visitor and bedding down is an eloquent expression of personality."― Publishers Weekly, starred review "McPhail's watercolors are luxuriously colorful, like a warm, luminescent blanket at bedtime."― New York Times "McPhail's watercolor-and-ink illustrations are gorgeously serene, and the darkening evening light, depicted in washes of burgundy, gold, and teal, is beautiful."― Booklist "McPhail's watercolor-and-ink illustrations...are consistently lovely in evoking diverse, sleepy fauna and simplified landscapes from page to page.... A sweet depiction."― Kirkus Reviews About the Author David McPhail has been a passionate artist since the age of two. He studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and began illustrating books for children in 1971. Since then he has helped to create over one hundred books, including the first book starring Baby Bear, I Promise; the celebrated Mole Music, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year; and the bestselling If You Were My Bunny, Lost!, and Drawing Lessons from a Bear. David lives in New Hampshire.