A Promise Is a Promise
By Robert Munsch
The Story
A girl named Allashua sneaks onto the sea ice to fish against her parents' warning, and gets caught by the Qallupilluit, forcing her to outwit them with a dangerous promise.
Why It's Special
For the kid who tests the rule the moment your back is turned, this is a story that takes the risk seriously instead of just scolding it.
- Big idea: A promise made carelessly can trap you — and getting free again takes cleverness, not luck.
- Vibes: tense, icy, and quick-witted, with real danger under the folktale surface
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories with a clever escape
- are working on understanding why rules keep them safe
- like tales grounded in Inuit tradition and setting
- respond well to a little suspense before the resolution
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What did Allashua do that got her caught by the Qallupilluit?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Allashua felt when she realized she'd been caught?
- Real-life connection: Has a grown-up ever warned you about something and you did it anyway? What happened?
- Imagination: What would you do if you had to trick your way out of a tricky promise?
- Think it through: Why do you think Allashua's promise to the Qallupilluit was so risky to make?
