I Am a Promise

by Gloria Gaither

By award-winning author and lyricist, Gloria Gaither The companion picture books My Father's Angels, Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift and I Am a Promise all come with a bonus CD, making a trio of great music, inspiring lyrics, and dazzling art. My Father's Angels---This story reminds young hearts that God's heavenly protectors are always at hand. The words to Gloria Gaither's wonderful, reassuring song and enchanting artwork weave a promising message that children can sing along to, with CD included. Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift---In this heartwarming story, celebrated author and award-winning lyricist Gloria Gaither makes use of her song 'Ordinary Baby' as the basis to share the timeless truth of Jesus' birth and life. Written in a way that is simple and easy to understand, children can read along with the CD. Ordinary Baby makes known the story of not just why Jesus came, but why he chose to come to earth as a baby. With its vibrant and engaging illustrations,Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift is certain to become one of your child's most treasured books, with CD included. I Am a Promise---Because every child is full of promise, potential, and possibility, kids can be assured that with God's help they can become anything he wants them to be. Beautiful full-color art will delight young readers as they sing along with the music on the bonus CD. GLORIA GAITHER is an award-winning lyricist, author, scriptwriter, former adjunct professor of songwriting at Anderson University, recording artist with the celebrated Gaither Trio for thirty years, mother, and grandmother. Gloria and her husband, Bill, live in Alexandria, IN.

Genres: Christian

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The edition I have comes (or, came) with a CD, but unfortunately I couldn't tell you what was on it. Goodreads doesn't seem to have this version listed (yet?).

This is a cute short "story" about empowerment, that Grandpa declares that all of the kids will grow up to be everything God wants them to be.

Except for these issues:

- I suppose this is Christian, given the quoted NIrV passages, but I thought the convention was to always capitalise "He/Him" when referring to God. This book doesn't.
- The Asian girl is ALWAYS squinting. Come on. Asian eyes can absolutely be drawn in a less racist way. (Props for inclusion, though, for all the kids being different ethnic backgrounds?)

The art and the message are nice, anyway.

[MaryAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh. This feels like a book written by adults talking AT children, without perspective on what children will actually understand. Not many 4 year-olds are going to understand "potentiality", nonetheless what that means in their lives. What exactly does being a promise mean? Unclear. Books like this also make me uncomfortable because what happens when things go wrong? When tragedy strikes? You can destroy someone's faith with the implication that God planned that.
I do like the attempt to be diverse but I agree with another reviewer that the Asian girls eyes are ... concerning.

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the song "I Am Promise" and Gloria Gaither has given us a beautiful way to enjoy this song with your children.

This colorful and cutely illustrated book weaves a short storyline together with the words of this song to make it clear to children that God has made them special. The message is that they can do anything that God wants them to do and be anything that God wants them to be.

A audio CD comes with the book so you can read and listen to the song. This makes a great bedtime combo for young kids. It is recommended for ages 4-8, but my younger children enjoy it a lot, too.