Introducing an inspiring picture book about promising to be and do our best for ourselves and our community~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: 

“I Promise” by LeBron James, Illustrated by Nina Mata

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “I Promise” to start on your own reading adventure! (This is an affiliate link~ 5% of your purchase will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles)

Book Synopsis and Review

Success in life starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community everyday~ promises to excel, always try our best, be kind and helpful, keep our bodies healthy, and to listen and learn. Follow a group of school children as they navigate through their day, promising to try new things and be open to change, to stand up for what’s right, and to ask for help when needed.. Even a few basketball metaphors are thrown in for fun! * I promise to run full court. I promise to throw the alley-ooo and uplift others.”

Written by NBA champion and superstar LeBron James, this uplifting and encouraging book is a perfect *back-to-school* read~ sure to inspire any little to be their best, to support others, and build community along the way. Colorful and whimsical illustrations pair with rhyming, upbeat text to create a joyful read aloud! 

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Vocabulary

• humble (p.10) someone who doesn’t brag
• alley-oop (p. 18) to pass the basketball to help someone else score
• uplift (p. 18) to help someone feel better or happier
• courageous (p. 25) brave
• strive (p. 25) to try hard to do something

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Themes/ Main Ideas

• Confidence and Motivation: Success starts with promising to take care of yourself, to take care of your body, to ask for help when you need it, and to always try your best
• Community: Success is found by uplifting others, not putting each other down. Your family and community are important parts of your life journey. Keep them close and cherish them.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “I Promise” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

Subscribe: MaiStoryBook Youtube Channel for additional read aloud videos!

*My Promises* Craftivity

The LeBron James Family Foundation founded the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio~ a school inspired by the big dreams of the kids in LeBron’s hometown and around the world. The school is a place committed to helping children and their families reach their full potential by setting goals, working hard, and holding yourself accountable. Each morning students start the day with a set of promises they make to themselves to love and persevere. This featured book-inspired craft encourages littles to make their own set of promises to start each day. Fill in the template with your own promises, and take turns sharing the promises you want to fulfill each day~ the promises that will help you strive for greatness!

Materials

• *My Promises* Craft Downloadable Template
• Scissors
• Colors
• Pen/Pencil
• Glue/ Tape

Directions

• Choose a ”Promise” template. There are colored and black and white versions. Each one has different headings: “I Promise,” “_______’s Promise” , “My Promises,” 
• If you chose the black and white version, color it in.
• Cut the *Promise* Template in half on the dotted line so that you have two pieces. The “Writing Template” will go in between the two pieces and attach them together. 
• Next, choose an “Writing Template”. There are colored versions, or black and white versions. 
• There are also different fill in template versions:a fill-in version with sentence prompts, all lines, lines and a picture space, blank, different headings
• Fill in the template by writing down your promises.
• Then cut out the template. KEEP THE WHITE TABS ON.
• To connect the“Writing Template” to the Promise Template, fold the top tab back, and tape the top tab to the back of the bottom of the top half of the “Promise Template”
• Fold the bottom tab back. Then tape/glue the tab to the back of the top of the bottom half of the “Promise Template”
• Then fold the Writing Template onto itself. Fold the top-half down over the writing template until halfway, then fold the bottom-half up over the writing template until it meets in the middle.
• The “Writing Template” should fold together to join the top half and the bottom half of the “Promise Template,” and then unfold to reveal and share your promises
• Choose a ”Promise” template. There are colored and black and white versions. Each one has different headings: “I Promise,” “_______’s Promise” , “My Promises,” 
• If you chose the black and white version, color it in.
• Cut the *Promise* Template in half on the dotted line so that you have two pieces. The “Writing Template” will go in between the two pieces and attach them together. 
• Next, choose an “Writing Template”. There are colored versions, or black and white versions. 
• There are also different fill in template versions:a fill-in version with sentence prompts, all lines, lines and a picture space, blank, different headings
• Fill in the template by writing down your promises.
• Then cut out the template. KEEP THE WHITE TABS ON.
• To connect the“Writing Template” to the Promise Template, fold the top tab back, and tape the top tab to the back of the bottom of the top half of the “Promise Template”
• Fold the bottom tab back. Then tape/glue the tab to the back of the top of the bottom half of the “Promise Template”
• Then fold the Writing Template onto itself. Fold the top-half down over the writing template until halfway, then fold the bottom-half up over the writing template until it meets in the middle.
• The “Writing Template” should fold together to join the top half and the bottom half of the “Promise Template,” and then unfold to reveal and share your promises

Enjoy Your *My Promises* Craft

• Share your craft with friends and family to share your promises that will help you strive for greatness
• Share your craft with family and friends and encourage them to create their own set of promises, or to share with you what promises they want to make that will help them be their best
• Read aloud your promises every morning to remind you to strive for greatness.
• Display the crafts to remind you of the promises you made to care for yourself and your community!

*~ Happy Back-to-School and I hope you are enjoying plenty of reading adventures! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email to share your own *My Promises* Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you and learn more about how you are striving for greatness!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*