The Promise Basket - Hardcover

Richardson, Bill

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1773060899 ISBN 13: 9781773060897

Publisher: Groundwood Books, 2019

Synopsis

A stone when it’s thrown can damage, can break, but nothing can shatter the promise I make.

So begins the poem a mother writes on a scrap of paper. She wraps the paper around a stone and places it in a basket to give to her daughter on her first birthday. They are poor, but the mother is determined that gifts will be given when gifts need giving. She keeps her promise, and the Promise Basket, too.

Every time there is a need for gifts, the mother finds a pretty stone to tie up with paper and ribbon, and gives it to her daughter in the basket. She continues the tradition over the years until her daughter has a baby of her own...

The love between a mother and her daughter is celebrated in this lyrical story from Bill Richardson, featuring colorful illustrations by Slavka Kolesar.

About this title

About the Author

Bill Richardson, winner of Canada’s Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, and former radio host, has written several highly acclaimed books for children. They include The Aunts Come Marching, illustrated by Cynthia Nugent, winner of the Time to Read Award; the children’s novel After Hamelin, winner of the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award; and The Alphabet Thief and The Bunny Band, both illustrated by Roxanna Bikadoroff. Bill lives in Vancouver.

Slavka Kolesar has a BFA in visual studies and art history from the University of Toronto and training as an early childhood educator. She has illustrated Ulysse by Suzanne de Serres, Le Nom de l’arbre by Stéphanie Bénéteau and La Légende de Carcajou by Renée Robitaille, which was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award. She was the 2017 TD Summer Reading Club illustrator. Slavka lives in Fernie, BC.

Review

Praise for The Promise Basket:“[W]ith rhythm and repetition, the narrative mixes messages of unending maternal devotion with subtle allusions to life’s challenges. . . . Whether brought to a baby shower or given to a graduate, this story of steadfast parent-child bonds may become a perennial gift favorite.” ― Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Alphabet Thief by Bill Richardson, illustrated by Roxanna Bikadoroff:

New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids
NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts

“A smart pick for language lovers of any age.” Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A fun romp that lends itself to both quiety amused solo reading and boisterous read-aloud sessions.” Quill & Quire, starred review

“Sure to delight wordsmiths of all ages. A fun read-aloud that lends itself to curricular application.” School Library Journal

“A small and hilarious picture book ... Pictures and verses seem to tumble over one another ...” Wall Street Journal

Praise for The Bunny Band by Bill Richardson, illustrated by Roxanna Bikadoroff:

“[A] rhyming story of theft, mercy and enchantment illustrated with quirky good humor by Roxanna Bikadoroff.” Wall Street Journal

“This fun rhyming text is a great, read-aloud choice ...” School Library Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Groundwood Books
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1773060899
• ISBN 13: 9781773060897
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Kolesar Slavka