A Promise Is A Promise is the popular children's picture book by well-known children's author Robert Munsch and Inuit storyteller Michael Kusugak. In this story Michael Kusugak and Robert Munsch collaborate by taking the mythical characters that live in the sea ice, the Qallupilluit, and create an adventure story about a young Inuit girl. Allashua does not listen to her mother's warnings about Qallupilluit. She convinces herself that these creatures, which are similar to trolls, are just stories her mother uses as a warning to keep away from the dangerous sea ice. The girl begins to challenge the Qallupilluit and calls them by name. To her surprise the creatures appear and take her beneath the sea. Allashua is a quick-thinking girl and convinces the creatures to let her go home when she promises to bring her brothers and sisters to the creatures. Allashua's mother has a plan that will trick the creatures and save the children. The parents invite the Qallupilluit into the house, giving the creatures food and candy. While the creatures are distracted, the children go to the sea ice and call the Qallupilluit. But the creatures are not there. And so the children say they have kept their promise and return home. The creatures return to the sea knowing the people have outwitted them. This charming story set in the Canadian Arctic is illustrated with colour drawings that capture the magical nature of the northern creatures called Qallupilluit. The authors explain the nature of these sea ice creatures and their role in keeping children safe. Young children will enjoy the repetition and songs that are incorporated into the story. A hardcover edition is also available. Guided Reading Level: L; Lexile Measure: 600; ATOS Reading Level: 4; Reading Level: 2.5.
