The Promise

A young girl-thief, who lives in an ugly city full of miserable people, tries to snatch an old woman’s bag. Surprisingly, the old woman lets her have the bag in exchange for a promise – to ‘plant them all’. When the young thief finds that the bag is full of acorns, she sets out on a journey that changes not only her own life, but that of the residents of the soulless city.

The girl keeps her promise to plant the acorns and slowly but surely, people are transformed as colour, life and vitality flow back into the city. Lives are transformed by hope and smiling faces return to the streets. The message is reflected in the watercolour, pastel and crayon images as grey urban despair gradually gives way to vibrant, lavish colour.

The theme is simple – that we need to live in harmony with nature. The way the message is communicated through this book is poignant and powerful. We can share kindness and be transformed by hope, or we can live in drab loneliness – the choice is ours to make.