I PROMISE YOU

All children deserve a lifetime of loving, empowering assurances from their parents.

A series of parents muse on all the things they have promised their little ones right from the start. There are, of course, love, concern, and nurturing of body and mind, but also vows to teach their children moral principles; to impart a sense of belonging in the world; to devote time and attention; to impose limits; to offer guidance, choices, and help; to show acceptance; and many other life-altering, -affirming, and -strengthening gifts children need from parents so they will grow into happy, productive adults. One of the most generous, loving promises of all is truth—that the children have “infinite worth, / built-in and boundless” and that life isn’t always “easy or perfect or fair”—but when their offspring feel down, the parents promise to listen. Of course, parental reassurances don’t end with childhood and children’s leaving “the nest.” The certainty of home awaits. Each promise in the book’s hushed, softly worded verse is set apart in display type. Muted watercolor and delicate ink-line illustrations done in Richmond’s trademark childlike fashion suit the gentle parental promises. Skin tones and hairstyles and colors of parents and children are diverse throughout, and there is gender diversity among the parents depicted.

Sweet and comforting; a nice gift for new parents-to-be.