I PROMISE

LeBron James's mother, Gloria James, gives authenticity to this audiobook by the NBA champion and cultural icon. In a rich, clear voice, she narrates his upbeat, motivational "I Promise" pledge, which encourages kids to be resilient, respectful, imaginative, hardworking, persistent, and true to themselves. James uses Black vernacular pronunciations throughout (for example, "ax" instead of "ask"). While this brings a sense of warmth and realness to the narration, James's performance lacks dramatic power. The rhyming cadence can sound repetitive without pauses or vocal variation to signal emphasis. Nevertheless, even without the illustrations, the words will inspire kids to think about their own futures and strive for greatness. A closing note helps listeners develop their own promises to themselves and their communities. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]