What a lovely and emotional story. Hassan and Jacob are the best of friends and they spend every day together in the Moroccan village of Al-Azan. In the afternoons Hassan and Jacob spend time in Jacob’s family’s garden, a beautiful garden with a blue fountain and so many beautiful plants and trees. But one day, when news of the troubles faced by the Jews during the Second World War comes, Jacob’s family decide to flee the village before anything happens. Hassan is heart-broken to say goodbye to his friend, as is Jacob, but when Jacob asks, Hassan makes an important promise to him to look after Jacob’s family garden until he returns.

This is such a lovely tale and is based on a true story which is explained about at the back of the book. At first we see the two boys and how they spend their days, together, with both boys first spending time helping their family with their work and later washing and studying before finally spending time together in the afternoons. The two boys are the best of friends and I love how this book shows how close a friendship these two boys have despite coming from different religious backgrounds. Hassan and Jacob spend more and more time in Jacob’s family garden, first playing but later also taking care of it. After Jacob’s family leave though, Hassan continues to take care of the garden alone and I like what happens as the story progresses from this point to the ending which was so beautiful.

The illustrations really bring to life the beauty and magic of the story. I love how detailed the illustrations are, showing well how everyone looks, their expressions at various points in the story and especially how beautiful the garden looks with the plants and the wonderful vivid blue colour of the fountain and pool. The illustrations really make this story so much more emotional too, especially toward the end when certain characters look older. The ending is such a beautiful one and made me and my family smile so much after reading it. It is such a heart-warming and lovely ending and made even more special when you read the historical notes and find out that this is based on a true story and friendship. I also like how the historical notes explain what happened in Spain in the 1400s as I wasn’t aware of this.

Overall this is such a lovely book and made so much more special by knowing it is based on real events, albeit slightly changed. The story, showing the deep friendship between these two boys of different religious backgrounds is so wonderful to see, and I like how we see more of that background too, with mentions of some of the food and some words and phrases used too. It’s a lovely book about friendship and promises, and a lovely book to look at again and again.

In the small town of Al-Azar, Morocco there is a garden with a beautiful fountain, brilliant blue benches, and roses and bougainvillea that grow higher each year. In the garden there are two young boys, one Jewish, one Muslim, who spend their days playing and caring for the garden. In the garden, their families picnic together, laughing and sharing stories with one another. Together, they openly celebrate their cultures and religions, and share their pains and woes. Their small town has known love and friendship, but evil beyond Morocco’s borders threaten their Jewish neighbors, and for them to survive they must flee. Hassan makes Jacob a promise in the wake of this devastating news – he will care for his best friend’s garden in his absence.

I am always so delighted when I read an ARC book I can share with such enthusiasm; The Promise is one of those books. Each time I read it I was deeply touched by how each family loved each other so well. The mothers would dote on the boys, the fathers would bless them, and together they would share what they had. It’s a remarkably beautiful depiction inspired by a real friendship from a small village in Morocco. Hodder and Gilani-Williams do an excellent job portraying this moving, heart-wrenching story of faith, friendship, and devotion. I especially appreciated the historic note at the end which added an extra layer of depth and appreciation for older readers.

The Promise details a friendship not limited by differences, but rather all the more beautiful for them. Thank you to Netgalley and Kar-Ben Publishing for the chance to review this wonderful book. The Promise is set for release September 5, and it’s one you definitely won’t want to miss.

“A garden is a promise, and a promise must be kept.”
A young Jewish boy, Jacob, and a Muslim boy, Hassan, are the best of friends. Living in their Moroccan village, Al-Azan, the two spend as much time with each other as possible. Their favorite place is Jacob’s garden, which is filled with beautiful flowers and trees. The two view the garden as a promise that must be kept and tended to. When the village gets word of the horrendous things happening to the Jewish people in Europe — soon known as the Holocaust — Jacob’s family must flee. Hassan then promises Jacob that he will take care of the garden until Jacob comes back or for the rest of Hassan’s life. As long as the garden thrives, Hassan’s and Jacob’s friendship lives on.

Based on a true story, The Promise navigates the strength and purity that comes from a friendship built on shared love and respect. Religion can be a divider amongst people, but Jacob and Hassan show it is possible to maintain their faith while also connecting with others from different religions. Not only is the story uplifting, but the art that accompanies the narrative truly brings it to life. I loved the bright colors used on every page, especially in the garden scenes. Every paint stroke was visible, giving an almost mural-like feel to the book. I liked how Cinzia Battistel took the time to expand the scenes beyond the text, showing aspects of the children’s lives that no words could capture perfectly. I also appreciated the inclusion of a historical context page that talked about the history of Judaism in Morocco as well as the story that inspired this picture book. The Promise is the perfect picture book to give to children to teach them not only the importance of a promise but also what a strong, empowering interfaith friendship looks like.

This is such a thoughtful historical fiction picture book. I love the illustration of two different peoples of two different religions living together in one space in both harmony and respect. It's not something you see very often in society. I think this book is going to be an important read on tolerance and friendship.

This book was so adorable, I loved everything about it, the illustrations were so well done, they suited the book perfectly, the story was amazing as well, even thought is very short I could really connect with the characters and feel theirs struggles.
I’m sure the kids are going to be just as enthralled with this amazing book as I was.
I will definitely recommend!

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

What a sweet story! Knowing this was a true story made it even better. We read this twice back to back!
The water color illustrations are beautiful and really fit with the story well.
I asked my daughter her favorite part was the family in the garden and the beautiful garden photos.

Thank you for this ARC netgalley. We really enjoyed it.

This is a moving narrative based loosely on a true story about a Muslim boy and a Jewish boy in Morocco. The story is inspiring, especially in a world where religion often divides people. This is a story of friendship and promises that last a lifetime, despite religious differences. I really enjoyed the illustrations in the book. Heartwarming and sweet!

[Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review on the book!]

i received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Heart warming story of two friends - one Muslim; one Jewish - who live near each other in a village in Morocco. They played together and took care of Jacob's garden. Their families were close and interacted weekly. Sadly, a threat to the Jewish people came to Morocco in the 1940's when the Nazis hatred spread that far. Jacob's family had to flee and Hassan promised to care for their garden until they returned. Readers see time pass as Hassan continues to protect this space until he is an older man. One day, he looks in the pool and sees a second man looking back. Both look like their grandfathers. The reunion happens; a promise is kept, and two men rejoice in their friendship. Powerful message of hope based on a true situation. Be sure to read the information shared at the end.

The Promise
by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani Williams

The Promise is story of two friends, set during the time when there was a peaceful coexistence of Jewish and Muslims in Morocco. The story revolves around Hassan a Muslim boy and Jacob his Jewish friend in Al-Azan in Morocco.
Hassan and Jacob were best friends. They enjoyed playing together in Jacob’s family garden after school and petting each other’s pets.
They would visit each other’s home and would relish the delicious snacks and food prepared by their mothers.
Jacob’s garden was a favorite hanging spot, where even their families would enjoy refreshments in the evening. As their friendship grew day by day, Hassan and Jacob both vowed to keep the promise of taking care of the garden.
However, due to the growing violence against Jews in Europe, circumstances forced Jacob and his family to leave Morocco.
But the tender friendship that had grown over the years still nurtured in their hearts.
The Promise is a heartwarming story of the emotional ties between the two friends. A friendship that knows no boundaries, no religion or that is undeterred by any hate or war.
This book gives an account of the peaceful ties that once existed in the past between the two friends which led to the harmonious existence of both.

Published: 09/05/23

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group, Kar-Ben Publishing for accepting my request to read and review The Promise.

Touching and tugged at my heart.

The illustrations are quite pretty. They compliment the story nicely.

The story itself in just a few short pages spans friendship from small boys to the grandfathers they become. The differences in their religious beliefs separated them through war, but their promise to each other remained true.

I liked the book and felt it was realistically fair. I would gift this.

The power of true friendship lasts through time and distance.
Two boys who are forever friends of differing cultures and living in a small rural area of Morocco are forced apart by world events. Even after two generations they remain committed friend awaiting reunion. Very moving and reassuring that good remains in the world.
The illustrations by Cinzia Battistel are delightful, clear, imaginative, striking, and brilliantly colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and is great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Lerner Publishing Group/Kar-Ben Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

Oh my goodness- what a sweet story, and knowing that it was based off a true story made it even better! I loved the history, the colors, Hassan and Jacob, the friendship - all of it! Friendships last through time, religions, and ethnicities!

This sweet story about an inter-faith friendship is inspired by a true story. The fictional version departs quite a bit from true events described in the author's note, but the story captures the enduring bond that a young Muslim boy and Jewish boy had with each other. The story will appeal to people who are looking for this kind of religious representation and inspiring message, and the illustrations visualize the setting in Morocco beautifully.

"A garden is a prayer and a promise. And a promise must be kept."

This is such a heartwarming story of friendship, love, and loyalty -- mixed with a good dash of history education, based on true events of the Jewish exodus from Spain and later from parts of Morocco. With beautiful illustrations and lovely writing, this book is so powerful in so few pages. I loved it.

This sweet story of friendship between two young boys revolves around cultivating a beautiful garden. The message is that there are are no differences where there is love. This heartwarming tale is one I'd be happy to read to my little ones.

This book warmed my crusty soul.

When I read the description of this book, I was expecting a sweet story about how different religions can still meld and get along. I wasn’t expecting how touching this friendship was. The enchanting artwork really helped me immerse myself into Jacob and Hassan’s world. I was touched by the message: while the garden lives, our friendship will never die.
A great book.

Thank you to Lerner Publishing Group and netgalley for the chance to read The Promise by Fawzia Gilani-Williams and Bridget Hodder in exchange for an honest review.

The Promise is such a sweet story with absolutely beautiful illustrations.

An overall uplifting story about friendship, family, and a promise that lasts a lifetime.

Based on a true story, this children's book tells the story of two boys in Morocco - one Muslim and one Jewish. They are best friends and tend a garden together. One day though, the happenings of WWII force the boys apart. However, they reunite many years later over their garden. A cute story!