A Promise is a Promise (Classic Munsch) (Paperback)

by Robert N. Munsch (Author), Michael Kusugak (Author), Vladyana Krykorka (Illustrator) "On the very first nice day of spring Allashua said, I'm going to go fishing..." (more)
Key Phrases: sea ice

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
". . . warmth and humor of Munsch at his best."--Globe & Mail. Full-color illustrations.

About the Author

Robert Munsch is the author of more than 25 books for children including The Paper Bag Princes and Stephanie's Ponytail. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and studied to be a Jesuit priest before deciding to work with children instead. He taught in a variety of nursery schools and daycare centers while he earned an MA in Early Childhood Education. In 1975, Munsch and his wife, Ann, moved to Guelph, Ontario. The Munschs have three children: Julie, Andrew, and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!).

Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Annick Press (February 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550370081
• ISBN-13: 978-1550370089
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,756 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( K ) > Krykorka, Vladyana
  #2 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( K ) > Kusugak, Michael
  #4 in	Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > United States > Native American

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Teaches culture and morals., January 7, 1999

By A Customer

Colorful pictures of a cultural heritage tell a scary story that teaches the reader that "a promise is a promise." Allashua lives in the North West Territories where she goes ice fishing on lakes and at the ocean. Her parents warn her of the Qallupilluit, imaginary troll-like creatures that seize children who are out on the ocean ice without their parents. Allashua is caught and promises to return with her brothers and sisters. She must keep her promise but her parents must also protect them from the Qallupilluit. The story might scare some young children, but the ending is a happy one. The sentence "a promise is a promise," is repeated throughout the book. With the threat of the Qallupilluit, children learn not to disobey their parents, always to keep a promise, and where applicable, to not go onto the ice alone. It is a good story that gives insight into one small part of Inuit culture. A good book for multicultural themes.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A happy-ending kids book with a haunting twist and meaning., September 24, 1997

By A Customer

In this vividly illustrated children's book, an Inuit girl disobeys her parents and goes out on the dangerous sea ice. She is stolen by the dangerous Kallipilluit people who live under the ice. As they drag her under they tell her she will never see her parents or brothers or sisters again. To escape, she makes a rash promise to deliver her brothers and sisters to them. When she tells her parents about her promise after they warm her up from near-death, they figure out a way to honor their daughter's promise but still save their children from the Kallipilluit. And they succeed at rescuing their children without compromising their values. This story is a fable which teaches about Inuit culture while illustrating important psychological issues of trust, parental responsiblilty, and truth-telling. A savvy parent or therapist might well use this story as a starting point for a discussion of these issues. Or one can equally well just enjoy the story and pictures.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a promise is a promise, May 13, 2002

A Kid's Review

This book is a good book because it relates to real life and even
mine.Its like if you really want to to do something so badly so you lie but just like guilt tthe quallapillious will catch you and youll have to live with guilt forever until you admit it and the guilt will leave you.I think kids trying to clean up their lives should read this.I give this book a rating of 4 and a half