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A Promise Is a Promise
"A Promise Is a Promise" is about the Qallupilluq (plural, Qallupilluit), an imaginary creature like a troll, that lives in the Hudson’s Bay or resides in icebergs. The Qallupilluit wear women’s parkas of loon feathers, are grotesque-looking, and grab children who come too near the shore or stand too close to cracks in sea ice. The main character in the story is Allashua, a young Inuk girl.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
22 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Robert Munsch
290 books1,710 followersRobert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in anthropology.
He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)
Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.
He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)
Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 17, 2019
I think I may have read this book before at some point, because it seems familiar. In any case, picking it up again now was kind of serendipitous. I recently read an article about Inuit child-rearing, and it mentioned this exact type of story. Being out on the sea ice can be dangerous, especially for children, so stories like this one were made up to scare little ones away from potentially dangerous situations. (Apparently, Qallupilluit only snatch children when they're by themselves, not with their parents. It's easy to see why and how this type of story came to be.)
Allashua is a little girl who wants to go fishing on the sea ice. Her mother tells her it's too dangerous, but when nobody's looking, Allashua steals away and goes fishing in the ocean. There, she encounters the Qallupilluit, who drag her under the ice. In a panic, she promises her siblings to the creatures, and they let her go, but with the warning, "A promise is a promise." They will be back to collect.
But Allashua's mother is smart, and she comes up with a plan to outwit the Qallupilluit with the help of her children.
I enjoyed this one quite a bit, even though it's not standard Robert Munsch fare (the way the mother and kids outwitted the Qallupilluit reminded me a bit of how Elizabeth outwitted the dragon in The Paper Bag Princess, though). I've not read a lot of Inuit stories, though I have enjoyed the ones I have read. (Readers who want more books in this vein might want to check out Fish-Boy by Vanita Oeschlager and Magic Words by Edward Field.)
Overall, this is a strong picture-book offering from Robert Munsch, even if it's not quite what one would expect from this author. I definitely recommend giving it a try.
Quotable moment:
Allashua is a little girl who wants to go fishing on the sea ice. Her mother tells her it's too dangerous, but when nobody's looking, Allashua steals away and goes fishing in the ocean. There, she encounters the Qallupilluit, who drag her under the ice. In a panic, she promises her siblings to the creatures, and they let her go, but with the warning, "A promise is a promise." They will be back to collect.
But Allashua's mother is smart, and she comes up with a plan to outwit the Qallupilluit with the help of her children.
I enjoyed this one quite a bit, even though it's not standard Robert Munsch fare (the way the mother and kids outwitted the Qallupilluit reminded me a bit of how Elizabeth outwitted the dragon in The Paper Bag Princess, though). I've not read a lot of Inuit stories, though I have enjoyed the ones I have read. (Readers who want more books in this vein might want to check out Fish-Boy by Vanita Oeschlager and Magic Words by Edward Field.)
Overall, this is a strong picture-book offering from Robert Munsch, even if it's not quite what one would expect from this author. I definitely recommend giving it a try.
Quotable moment:
The sea water stung Allashua's face like fire. Allashua held her breath and the Qallupilluit gathered around her and sang, with voices that sounded like snow blowing over the ice:
Human child, human child
Ours to have, ours to hold.
Forget your mother, forget your father;
Ours to hold under the ice.
July 14, 2010
Ages: 8-11
"A Promise is a Promise" is a folktale about the Inuit equivalent of boogeymen, called Qallupilluit. A young girl named Allashua ignores her mother's warnings about the Qallupilluit and ventures onto the frozen ocean alone to fish. She is captured by the Qallupilluit, but they let her go when she promises to bring back all of her brothers and sisters. She is released, but her family is in a bit of a predicament. Luckily, Allashua's parents are able to outsmart the Qallupilluit and no one is captured.
The illustrations could be better, and the text is average, but the story is a classic and this version seems culturally authentic.
Although the story is aimed at younger audiences, the pictures might scare younger children. The narrative, however, has a good, age-old moral: listen to your parents. It's interesting to read a common childhood story with an Inuit twist. This would be a good read-aloud book, possibly even around Halloween. A reader with good inflection and timing would be able to scare students just enough to convince them to heed their parents' advice.
This story might be presented along with other similar stories from different cultures or from students' own families. Then, different versions could be compared and contrasted.
"A Promise is a Promise" is a folktale about the Inuit equivalent of boogeymen, called Qallupilluit. A young girl named Allashua ignores her mother's warnings about the Qallupilluit and ventures onto the frozen ocean alone to fish. She is captured by the Qallupilluit, but they let her go when she promises to bring back all of her brothers and sisters. She is released, but her family is in a bit of a predicament. Luckily, Allashua's parents are able to outsmart the Qallupilluit and no one is captured.
The illustrations could be better, and the text is average, but the story is a classic and this version seems culturally authentic.
Although the story is aimed at younger audiences, the pictures might scare younger children. The narrative, however, has a good, age-old moral: listen to your parents. It's interesting to read a common childhood story with an Inuit twist. This would be a good read-aloud book, possibly even around Halloween. A reader with good inflection and timing would be able to scare students just enough to convince them to heed their parents' advice.
This story might be presented along with other similar stories from different cultures or from students' own families. Then, different versions could be compared and contrasted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2019
Did feel better about this after reading that Michael Kusugak who was involved with this, grew up in northern Canada. It was an interesting story but didn't hold the charm of some of the other stories of Munsch imho.
June 9, 2015
Near another country to our south and stretching north to Nunavut; I have always appreciated other cultures but could only glimpse the Inuit at a distance. Any painting or soapstone I ever saw entailed hunting; something that goes against the soul of someone who considers animals my equals. I am excited to discover Michael Kusugak & Vladyana Krykorka, who have created books where that topic dips no further than fishing. At last I was free to explore a personal introduction! I poured over “A Promise Is A Promise”, 1988 and “Hide And Sneak”, 1992 enthusiastically! I hung on every word and image, illustrated in the most magical style I have ever seen, that is all at once serene.
How Vladyana depicted numerous mythical creatures in motion, inside a small room, is befuddling. Never have I seen ice and sky hold so much colour. Snow scenes are familiar to me but these special vistas are very much this family’s milieu. Eldest daughter of five, Allashua is warned to visit a lake instead of the sea, because Qallupilluit lurk in its crevasses. How wonderful that they live at walking distance from both. I enjoyed the modern house, loving parents, and gorgeous Mother who couldn’t be more than forty-five years old. The Qallupilluit do strike and Mother addresses them from that nearby sea. My favourite illustration is of her so elegantly dancing, in modern dress, among feared creatures.
What most impressed upon me is the parents’ calmness. Allashua told them precisely what transpired. Unlike most tales, no secret was kept to avoid being scolded. Her parents were allies. They never shouted about a mistake or predicament. They lovingly brainstormed how they could solve it. They dried her after she fell through ice and coordinated an intelligent plan, to ward off dangerous mythical entities.
How Vladyana depicted numerous mythical creatures in motion, inside a small room, is befuddling. Never have I seen ice and sky hold so much colour. Snow scenes are familiar to me but these special vistas are very much this family’s milieu. Eldest daughter of five, Allashua is warned to visit a lake instead of the sea, because Qallupilluit lurk in its crevasses. How wonderful that they live at walking distance from both. I enjoyed the modern house, loving parents, and gorgeous Mother who couldn’t be more than forty-five years old. The Qallupilluit do strike and Mother addresses them from that nearby sea. My favourite illustration is of her so elegantly dancing, in modern dress, among feared creatures.
What most impressed upon me is the parents’ calmness. Allashua told them precisely what transpired. Unlike most tales, no secret was kept to avoid being scolded. Her parents were allies. They never shouted about a mistake or predicament. They lovingly brainstormed how they could solve it. They dried her after she fell through ice and coordinated an intelligent plan, to ward off dangerous mythical entities.
July 4, 2013
I liked this book as a kid, but thinking back now it’s preeeetty dark. In the book, a young girl breaks her promise, is pulled into icy water by monsters and has to promise to give her siblings up to get free. The moral of the story is to keep your promises (since the whole story starts by her breaking one to her mother) but it may be a little scary for young kids, so think about the age group you plan to share this with. It is good that it shows another culture and it’s well written so there are positives . I’d just be wary about the group you choose to share it with.
January 3, 2020
My girlfriend couldn't remember the title of this book and called her cousin to find out the title. She knew it was a Robert Munsch book, and remembered "witches under the ice that pull little kids under". And she was terrified of it.
We quickly were able to find it on the New Brunswick Public Library System's online electronic collection (Overdrive).
This edition is read by Munsch himself. I remember reading this and being creeped out as a kid.
Great book for kids and beautiful illustrations of another place that few Canadians will ever see or even probably read about. The blend of story telling and folklore is this book's strength.
Keep your promises.
We quickly were able to find it on the New Brunswick Public Library System's online electronic collection (Overdrive).
This edition is read by Munsch himself. I remember reading this and being creeped out as a kid.
Great book for kids and beautiful illustrations of another place that few Canadians will ever see or even probably read about. The blend of story telling and folklore is this book's strength.
Keep your promises.
March 2, 2024
actually scary
May 11, 2024
I really liked this story! It's so fun to see other cultures' folklore and the stories that emerge from their inspiration.
December 31, 2024
Terrified me as a kid, and still terrifies me today 🤣
November 22, 2022
My kindergarteners love this book, and I love bringing Indigenous stories and teachings into the learning centre. This book had them on the edge of their seats, and at the end we talked about the Qallupallit
December 2, 2016
A Robert Munsch book, A Promise is a Promise is an Inuit tale of a child tempting fate by speaking ill of the Qallupilluit, a troll like creature that lives in Hudson Bay. The girl, Allashua, Wanted to see if the Qalluilluit were real so she said bad things about them. When they appeared and tried to kill her, Allashus saved herself by promising to bring her siblings for the Qallupilluit to take.
As with all of the Munsch books, this story is a bit didactic but not overly preachy. The main theme is good manners, respect, and keeping a promise. Illustrations are realistic, keeping in fashion with Munsch books. The Qallupilluit are excellently depicted as creatures of malicious intent, long bony fingers, heartless facial expressions, and clothing such as a skull attached to their coat. The illustrations add to the text by giving a graphic representation of these creatures as well as the actions of Allashus and her family. I liked this book due to its illustrations and its tie to Native American cultural stories.
As with all of the Munsch books, this story is a bit didactic but not overly preachy. The main theme is good manners, respect, and keeping a promise. Illustrations are realistic, keeping in fashion with Munsch books. The Qallupilluit are excellently depicted as creatures of malicious intent, long bony fingers, heartless facial expressions, and clothing such as a skull attached to their coat. The illustrations add to the text by giving a graphic representation of these creatures as well as the actions of Allashus and her family. I liked this book due to its illustrations and its tie to Native American cultural stories.
September 12, 2009
It was the first day of spring and an Inuit girl, Allashua, living in the Arctic decided to go fishing. Her mother said, "don't go fishing on the sea ice. Under the sea ice live Qallupilluit. They grab children who aren't with their parents." Allashua agreed, saying: "a promise is a promise."
Allashua did go fishing on the sea ice and she taunted the Qallupilluit. She caught many fish and then, all of a sudden she heard a voice. There, "between her and the shore" were the Qallupilluit. They grabbed her and dragged her under the sea ice
Read the rest of my review here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/06...
Allashua did go fishing on the sea ice and she taunted the Qallupilluit. She caught many fish and then, all of a sudden she heard a voice. There, "between her and the shore" were the Qallupilluit. They grabbed her and dragged her under the sea ice
Read the rest of my review here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/06...
January 6, 2014
I really like Quallupiluit stories in general, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed reading this. It has a good moral and lesson for children about heeding the warnings of their parents (but also in how to outwit would-be child abductors). I know that some people find the story a bit dark, but since it's based in traditional folklore directed at children, it bothered me less.
My primary complaint about the book is that it's pretty wordy. It's a good story overall, but it takes forever to read it aloud. I feel like it could have been edited down a bit to hold the attention of children better.
My primary complaint about the book is that it's pretty wordy. It's a good story overall, but it takes forever to read it aloud. I feel like it could have been edited down a bit to hold the attention of children better.
January 7, 2018
Her Mom warns young Allashua not to ice fish in the ocean. She tells her that it is a dangerous place because of the Qallupilluit who will take young children who are there without their parents. It will take a lot of cunning to save herself and her brothers and sisters after breaking the promise she made to stay away from the ocean.
I love Robert Munsch's books. This one is beautifully done and it is a great family read book. This story is fun and has just a little bit of suspense for young readers. While The Paper Bag Princess is still my favorite of his books, this one is very close.
I love Robert Munsch's books. This one is beautifully done and it is a great family read book. This story is fun and has just a little bit of suspense for young readers. While The Paper Bag Princess is still my favorite of his books, this one is very close.
March 31, 2023
Please go hit 'like' on this review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Tom says exactly what I would say, only better.
Reread March 2023 in The Munschworks Grand Treasury, in which it is last story in the book. Very interesting to compare this collaboration to Munsch's other works.
Reread March 2023 in The Munschworks Grand Treasury, in which it is last story in the book. Very interesting to compare this collaboration to Munsch's other works.
May 1, 2010
A suspenseful book that teaches children to listen to their parents and to follow through on promises. A little girl goes fishing in the sea ice, when a monster takes her captive. He agrees to let her go only if she promises to bring her brother and sister to him so he can eat them. The mother finds out and very creatively saves the day. This book uses vivid language, and may frighten children. Read with caution.
April 20, 2013
This is one of my favorite Munsch books. Firstly, it is a great tale with a great message for kids. Secondly, the story is delivered without an overkill of onomatopoeia. This is a fun book to read, full of suspense and enough "spooky" lines to entrance the reader. Love it!
Good for multiethnic classes, such as social studies, when looking at beliefs and tradition.
A book that would be enjoyed by all ages.
Good for multiethnic classes, such as social studies, when looking at beliefs and tradition.
A book that would be enjoyed by all ages.
February 14, 2014
A Promise is a Promise focuses on a young Inuit girl named Allashua who lives in the Arctic. One day she disobeys her mothers warnings and decides to go fishing on the sea ice. Under the sea ice lives Quallupilluit who take children who are alone and not guarded by their parents. Traditional Indigenous storytelling is a favourite of mine and this book definitely lives up to the standards. The sort is full of suspense and will engage children.
February 22, 2015
A young Inuit girl disobeys her parents’ warning and goes fishing on the sea ice on Hudson Bay alone. The troll-like Qallupilluq drag her under the ice and Allashua and her family must trick the Qallupilluq in order to survive. Krykorka’s haunting watercolors with pencil set a spooky tone for the Qallupilluq. The gentle horizontal lines of the horizon are softened by color in the sky and the land on the horizon line, the sky mirroring the underlying land and vice versa.
November 19, 2016
Old story from Inuit Indians about the monsters in the ice cracks who will steal children if they dare come out and fish near the oceans. Book dates back from 1988, story about oldest daughter disobeying parents and going fishing in the ice cracks and then promising Qalllupilluit to bring them her brothers and sisters in exchange for her escape. The importance of the promise and how they trick these imaginary creatures into not harming the children.
February 17, 2013
We LOVE Robert Munsch books, but this one was much different from the silly, crazy stories we are used to.
It was kind of creepy, and my son was a little scared by it.
As an adult, I understand the lesson, about not going near the cracked ice. But this was a bit of a scary tactic that seems extreme.
It was kind of creepy, and my son was a little scared by it.
As an adult, I understand the lesson, about not going near the cracked ice. But this was a bit of a scary tactic that seems extreme.
March 7, 2013
Received a copy from NetGalley.
It was different than his usual picture books and not as upbeat and funny. The illustrations, as usual, were well done and added to the story. The story is unique and I like the fact that it ties to a cultural few books have been printed about.
It is pretty lengthy for young children and is geared towards older children such as Kindergarten and older.
It was different than his usual picture books and not as upbeat and funny. The illustrations, as usual, were well done and added to the story. The story is unique and I like the fact that it ties to a cultural few books have been printed about.
It is pretty lengthy for young children and is geared towards older children such as Kindergarten and older.
April 25, 2011
This book is sort of dark, but it teaches kids a good lesson. The little girl didn't listen to her mom, and she had to pay a consequence when she went to the ice. The lesson to be learned is that there are consequences for your actions, but any number of others can be pulled from this book.
January 20, 2013
We love all of Munsch's books, but this one is a little creepy. It kind of scared my kids. I recommend all his books for great read aloud fun, just be aware this one is about a creepy ocean creature that wants to kidnap a child.
November 25, 2015
This folk tale takes place in the arctic and it warns of potential dangers in this climate. Folk tales are great for all ages because it is good lesson for children and it also gives a window into other cultures. I would mainly use it to show the cultural diversity aspect.
August 7, 2016
Obviously a tale designed to keep children safe. However, I think it is also one that would certainly have given me nightmares as a child and I lived nowhere near an ocean. Heck, I think it will likely give me nightmares now...
June 25, 2007
I remember this book was kinda of sad but awww at the same time because of the family. The drawings are breathtaking, so beautiful.
March 23, 2009
Oce LOVES this book! This is her favorite by far. We call it the "Scary Book."
January 24, 2011
Defiantly my favorite Robert Munsch book. A good moral tale.
February 2, 2011
A beautiful book, one that tells children that their parents might not always be so dumb....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews