Parents' Guide to

I Promise

By Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Inspiring pledges encourage kids to try hard, aim high.

Book LeBron James Picture Book 2020
I Promise Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

I PROMISE doesn't tell a story, though it shows kids going through typical situations during an elementary school day and going to and from school. Each two-page spread declares a promise and shows a group of cheerful, diverse kids embodying it. The scenes show kids interacting well with classmates, a teacher, and a crossing guard, and in the classroom, on the playground, on the court, and in the pool. The idea of students making promises reflects a practice at the I Promise School that author LeBron James started in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, in 2018, in partnership with Akron Public Schools and LeBron James Family Foundation to help lower-income kids and their families succeed in school and beyond. As he explains in a note at the back of the book, "At the start of every school year, and repeated each morning, all students make a set of promises to themselves just like the ones in this book. Setting goals, working hard, and holding yourself accountable are the first steps to success."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
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Kids say (1 ):

This enthusiastic list of promises encourages kids to strive to do well in school, play nicely, aim high, and be kind. The diverse kids on each spread of I Promise look like they're having a great time, trying their hardest, being respectful, responsible, inclusive, and curious. It's easy to get swept up in their positive energy, and Nina Matta's engaging, emotive illustrations help make the kids appealing and relatable. The many promises drive home the point that if you can commit to a goal, it can lead to success in school, sports, relationships, and life.

Some of LeBron James' rhymes are more approximate than precise, such as this one: "I promise to ask questions and find answers / to believe in next time and second chances." But that's a small quibble in the overall fun, kid-friendly reading experience.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the pledges kids make in I Promise. Do they sound like things you could do? What promises could you make for the school year or for each day?

  • Are you more willing to listen to LeBron James' ideas about how to be successful because he's a successful athlete? What other athletes and celebrities do you look up to and would you take advice from?

  • The book ends with a kid saying, "I promise to be me." What do you think that means? Why would that be an important promise to make?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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