My Promise

Dr. Jillian Roberts is a renowned child psychologist who has devised the 7-Point Parental Compass for “help[ing] families face the complex issues that are part of raising children in our modern world”. In My Promise she brings this mission to our youngest readers in a softly-hued board book illustrated by Slavka Kolesar.

The short text of My Promise is written with the infant and toddler reader in mind, but it is really parents who will benefit from its message. While a child may feel reassured by the text that promises a parent will forgive, guide, or help, surely Dr. Roberts has envisioned that parents reading the book aloud will be reminded (hopefully, again) that this is the role of the parent; this is what they have promised. “If you wander too far, I will come find you” holds a two-fold message. To the child: you are allowed to wander, you are safe. To the parent: You must keep your child safe; watch out as they wander.

The illustrations that accompany the text are truly lovely. Kolesar has created a soft world peopled by one young child and two caregivers. The soft edges and organic shapes absolutely bring forth feelings of warmth and safety. A two-page spread of the family under a snowy night sky is stunning. I wish I had it in a frame.

Likely not every child will need My Promise because its message is one they are living. But for the child who needs a model, who needs a book that tells them somewhere parents are like this, then this book is a perfect fit.