A Promise Is a Promise
Munsch For Kids Series
What’s inside...
When Allashua disobeys her parents and goes fishing on the sea ice, she has to use her wits to escape and to further trick the Qallupilluit when she promises to bring her brothers and sisters back to them. '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, Allashua, is a young Inuk girl.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think promises are important?
What would you do if you found yourself in a situation like Allashua's?
How do you think Allashua felt when the Qallupilluit were involved?
What can we learn from the way Allashua's parents reacted?
How can we apply the message of this story in our daily lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child to put themselves in Allashua's shoes and explore how they would feel in similar situations.
Highlight the importance of trust and promises by discussing personal experiences where keeping a promise was important.
Use a calm and open-ended approach when discussing the characters' decisions, fostering a non-judgmental atmosphere for conversation.
Connect the story to real-life ethics by discussing the consequences of breaking promises and the value of honesty.
Discuss the cultural aspects of the story, such as the Inuit traditions and beliefs, to broaden the child's understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of keeping promises
Explanation: The protagonist in 'A Promise Is a Promise' learns the hard way that breaking a promise can lead to unexpected consequences. This underscores the value of being trustworthy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the importance of keeping their word in friendships, family relationships, and daily commitments, fostering trust and reliability.
Example Lesson: Understanding and respecting cultural beliefs
Explanation: The story introduces children to unique cultural beliefs and practices, stressing the importance of respecting traditions different from their own.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate diversity and practice respect towards people from different cultural backgrounds they meet in school or their community.
Example Lesson: The power of courage and resourcefulness
Explanation: When faced with challenges, the protagonist uses courage and cleverness to solve problems, showcasing their resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and challenges head-on, using their ingenuity and courage to navigate difficult situations in school or in their personal lives.
Example Lesson: The value of forgiveness
Explanation: The characters in the book show that forgiving others, even when they have made mistakes, is a crucial step towards healing and maintaining relationships.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of forgiveness, encouraging them to mend relationships and build empathy with their peers.