I Promise

July 1, 2020
The NBA star offers a poem that encourages curiosity, integrity, compassion, courage, and self-forgiveness. James makes his debut as a children's author with a motivational poem touting life habits that children should strive for. In the first-person narration, he provides young readers with foundational self-esteem encouragement layered within basketball descriptions: "I promise to run full court and show up each time / to get right back up and let my magic shine." While the verse is nothing particularly artful, it is heartfelt, and in her illustrations, Mata offers attention-grabbing illustrations of a diverse and enthusiastic group of children. Scenes vary, including classrooms hung with student artwork, an asphalt playground where kids jump double Dutch, and a gym populated with pint-sized basketball players, all clearly part of one bustling neighborhood. Her artistry brings black and brown joy to the forefront of each page. These children evince equal joy in learning and in play. One particularly touching double-page spread depicts two vignettes of a pair of black children, possibly siblings; in one, they cuddle comfortably together, and in the other, the older gives the younger a playful noogie. Adults will appreciate the closing checklist of promises, which emphasize active engagement with school. A closing note very generally introduces principles that underlie the Lebron James Family Foundation's I Promise School (in Akron, Ohio). (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 15% of actual size.) Sincere and wholehearted. (Picture book. 4-8)

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September 1, 2020

Gr 1-4-I Promise School is a public elementary school in Akron that is supported by the LeBron James Family Foundation. In this debut picture book, readers learn of the vows of these young students to improve their lives and achieve their goals. With rhyming text, the narrative follows a group of students of varied races throughout their day: "I promise to be open and try new things and enjoy the happy that change can bring." In this school, children help one another when they fall down on the playground, support studying hard, and stand up for what is right. Of course, there are a few basketball idioms thrown in for good measure such as; "I promise to run full court," and "I promise to throw the alley-oop and uplift others on the spot." The conclusion of the book has a note from James and a set of promises for readers. Colorful, digital illustrations are cheerful and complement the text nicely. VERDICT An optional purchase, this is nevertheless an inspiring look at what one celebrity is doing to better the world.-Amy Nolan, St. Joseph P.L., MI

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 7, 2020
Dedicated to the families that James’s foundation, I Promise, serves in the NBA star’s Ohio hometown, this picture book delivers an uplifting message to children, emphasizing accountability and persistence. The text takes the form of a rhythmic first-person pledge: “I promise to ask questions/ and find answers,/ to believe in next time and second chances.” Disembarking from the school bus, the children attend class, have fun at recess, and partake in extracurricular activities. Lively digital art by Mata features expressive characters of color spending time at school, on basketball courts, and at the playground. The illustrations infuse the book with heart, reflecting a contemporary neighborhood that effectively represents the racial makeup of many U.S. cities. Back matter includes an author’s note about the I Promise school and a further distilled list of goals. Ages 4–8.