A Promise Is a Promise

by Knister, Eve Tharlet

Bruno the marmot hibernates all winter, and upon waking in the spring, he discovers the most beautiful dandelion outside his burrow. The two quickly become friends, playing together every day. But when summer comes, the dandelion asks Bruno to trust her, so he obliges her request to blow her seeds away into the wind. Devastated that his friend is no longer with him, Bruno is lonely until next winter's hibernation. When he wakes again, he discovers that an amazing surprise sprouted while he slept. Here is an adorable book about the meaning of giving that will warm the hearts of young and old alike.

“This sweet, deceptively simple story effectively portrays the cycle of life to young children, . . . imparting a sense of hope and wonder.” —Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Pseudonym für Ludger Jochmann. Jochmann wuchs im Ruhrgebiet auf. Er studierte Sozialpädagogik an der Universität Essen und Rhythmik an der Folkwangschule in Essen. Nach dem Erwerb seines Diploms arbeitete er als Sonderpädagoge. Seit 1978 ist er als freier Autor und Komponist tätig. Zunächst arbeitete er für Kindertheater im Ruhrgebiet, dann auch für Funk und Fernsehen. 1980 erfolgte die erste Buchveröffentlichung, gefolgt von Tonträgern, Fernsehserien, Computerspielen und Produktionen für das Kino. Sein erstes Buch für Erwachsene veröffentlichte er 2000 unter seinem bürgerlichen Namen.
Sein Pseudonym wählte Knister aus seiner Rockmusikbegeisterung. Er nutzt Musik als Ausdrucksform bei seinen Vorstellungen für Kinder und stellte fest, dass danach eine „knisternde“ Spannung für leisere Geschichten entstand.
Mit seiner Figur Hexe Lilli schreibt er für verschiedene Lesestufen und zum Fremdspracherwerb. Außerdem schreibt er Bilderbücher und bedient andere Medien, um Kinder an das Buch heranzuführen.
Jochmann lebt in Wesel. Er ist verheiratet und hat drei erwachsene Kinder. Er ist passionierter Segler auf einem Plattbodenschiff und Hobbymusiker.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a young marmot who awakens from hibernation and finds a beautiful yellow dandelion flower with whom he shares a deep friendship all through the beautiful spring and early summer. One day, the now fluffy-topped dandelion asks the marmot, "Do you trust me?" The young marmot replies that he does. The dandelion then asks the marmot to blow on her, and promises him that everything will be alright. At first, the marmot is devastated as he sees his friend scatter in the wind. But, he remembers the dandelion's promise and, best of all, remembers her friendship--through both happy days and lonely ones--and, when he awakens next spring, he is met with a beautiful surprise.

When I finished this, I thought perhaps four stars since a few elements seemed a bit incomplete, but it really touched me (I read this story this morning and it has stayed with me ever since) and I think that deserves five stars. I love the different ways this story can be interpreted. It's a tale of friendship and trust, of faith (in those we love, though it could also be interpreted in a more religious way if a family wanted to bring that element to the story) and of the beautiful moments to celebrate in life. The illustrations are adorable, touching and very special. The author and illustrator are both European and I'm very glad this story is available in the US now. (Also, how many times do we have a marmot as a protagonist! Super cute and a fun change from the standard critters in US children's literature.)

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in German as Das verspreche ich dir (literally, "that, I promise you"), this sweet picture-book follows the story of Bruno, a young marmot who awakens from his hibernation one spring, and becomes fast friends with a sunny dandelion. After a season of joyful play, Dandelion asks Bruno if he trusts her, and upon hearing his affirmative reply, instructs him to blow as hard as he can upon her, assuring him that everything will be fine. When Bruno discovers that he has destroyed his friend (or so he believes), he is distraught, and wonders whether anything will ever be "fine" again. But a promise is a promise, and Bruno discovers that a wonderful surprise is waiting for him, the next spring...

Like the friend who recommended this one to me (thanks, Kathryn!), I was charmed by the fact that Bruno is a marmot, as I don't think I've ever encountered this particular animal as a picture-book protagonist. I liked the story, with its message of trusting in our friends, even when things seem bleak, and I thought the artwork by Eve Tharlet was very appealing. That said, I'm not sure that Bruno really looks like a marmot to me (OK, he doesn't look anything like a marmot to me), which is rather disappointing. Still, he wouldn't be the first anthropomorphized picture-book animal to bear little resemblance to his supposed species (Marc Brown's Arthur , anyone?), so leaving that issue aside, the charming illustrations in A Promise Is a Promise can still be enjoyed for their own sake, as can the endearing tale of friendship and faithfulness found in the text.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is a very sweet story about friendship, trust, faith, promises, optimism, and nature. It’s about a marmot (I love that a marmot is the main character!) and a dandelion flower, and about hibernation and the change of seasons. I actually wasn’t wild about the marmot’s facial expressions and appearance at first, but the pictures grew on me because his personality is so appealing, and the rest of the illustrations were lovely. I can’t say I love the story but I did enjoy it very much.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book about a friendship between a marmot and dandelion. The dandelion asks Bruno to trust it and take a deep breath and blow, promising that everything will be alright. Bruno, the marmot, feels that something horrible has happened when the seeds blow away, but trusts the dandelion's promise. He learns to enjoy each season and comes to understand the dandelion's promise.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see the appeal, but it seems a little too overdone to me. I think I prefer Sophie's Squash. Maybe because I'm a mother, but I've never been a friend, so I can't manage to empathize with friendship stories. I do recommend this if you're interested.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little slow, but the ending was redemptive.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique friendship story that teaches about seeds and the circle of life.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exceptional, but still a cute little book - very solid 3 stars. A little marmot learns to trust in the promise made with a friend, even when that friend is no longer there. Some seasonal concepts covered, as well as promises, trust, moves and separation, and friendship. Artwork is a little dated for a modern crowd, but still very cute. Slow moving plot, but repetition is good for a younger audience.

Military family you say? The dandelion is the flower of the military child. Bright, cheerful, and blooms wherever the wind blows it.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about friendship and loss.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you're reading books about the lifecycles of butterflies and frogs, try this one about a flower that turns into a dandelion, is scattered and comes back as a field of flowers.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 4 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: روزی که همه‌چیز خوب می‌شود

[Zahra tavakoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی روزی که همه چیز خوب می‌شود

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is for primary students to introduce them to hibernation and the changing of seasons. It also teaches them to trust others, have faith and to enjoy nature and their life experiences.

[Elizabeth Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

KINSTER. A Promise Is a Promise. Illus. Eve Tharlet. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group, 2006. Print. In A Promise is a Promise a critter named Bruno wakes up from hibernation and meets and befriends a dandelion. He takes care and loves his new friend but then one day the dandelion makes a promise to him that everything will be okay and then she is blown away. Bruno is sad but trusts his friend. In the spring after waking up he walks out and sees a whole field of dandelions. I really appreciated the author’s use of description in this book. The theme is keeping a promise and trust but children could also learn about what a dandelion is and about hibernation. I think this would be a good book for young children who are coming to school for the first time and are learning how to really interact with lots of people their age. Sometimes feelings will get hurt or people will break promises but with this book they can learn about trusting each other and doing what they say.

[Darlene Ivy]

The faith of a mustard seed? How about the faith of a dandelion seed? A simple story of an unlikely friendship between a marmot and a dandelion and the strength of a friend's promise. Wonderful art. Brilliant last spread!

[KLB Barsotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet. Sets the right tone from start to finish.

[CM · Rating 5 out of 5]

One I'm going to read to my kids ALL THE TIME. It is such a sweet story. The art is lovely and the entire thing is just beautiful.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute picture book about dandelions.