Books Like I Promise
Families who loved I Promise by David McPhail often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved I Promise by David McPhail often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts asking those tough, circular questions about the future or expresses anxiety about things they cannot control. It is an essential tool for parents who want to explain the concept of integrity and the limits of human control without breaking a child's sense of security. The story follows a Mother Bear and her cub through a series of honest questions about what it means to make a promise, what happens when one is broken, and why some things simply cannot be guaranteed. Ideal for children aged 3 to 7, David McPhail's gentle prose and soft illustrations create a safe space for discussing honesty and unconditional love. While many books focus on the magic of promises, this one takes the unique and necessary step of being truthful: we cannot promise constant happiness or perfect outcomes, but we can promise our presence and our best efforts. It is a grounding read for families navigating transitions or for children who are particularly sensitive to the weight of their parents' words.
