LeBron James’ first picture book is inspired by messages of “hope,” just like his “I Promise” school

HarperCollins Children’s Books The basketball star with a student from his I Promise School

LeBron James takes his message of positivity and hard work to a new level with his new children’s book. I promise.

Illustrated by Nina Mata, the picture book uses colorful visuals to tell the story of the promises children make every day at the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio.

“The I Promise School was inspired by the big dreams of children in my hometown and around the world,” the 35-year-old Los Angeles Lakers basketball player said in a promotional video. “At the beginning of each school year and every morning, all students repeat to themselves a series of promises just like the ones in this book. Setting goals, working hard and holding yourself accountable are the first steps to success.”

The book, released Tuesday, features a diverse cast of children laughing, playing and working together, pledging to be leaders, learn and give back to the community.

HarperCollins Children’s Books

James’ mother, Gloria James, is a huge supporter of the school and her son’s new picture book. She even read the audiobook version!

“I promise “conveys the message of hope, hard work and love that everyone needs more right now,” Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, said in a statement to PEOPLE. “These are promises we live by every day through our work in Akron, and they are words we hope can serve as inspiration to every child and every family.”

He added: “We want everyone who reads this book to truly believe that they can change the world.”

Through his LeBron James Family Foundation, James officially opened the I Promise School in 2018 as an addition to the Akron Public Schools in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

“These kids are doing incredible work, better than any of us expected,” James told the newspaper. “When we started, people knew I was going to open a school for kids. Now people will really understand how little education they had before coming to our school. People will finally understand what goes on behind our doors.”

The following year, his foundation made an announcement that drew outcry from students—and tears from their parents. In February, Melody Tankersley, acting senior vice president of Kent State University, told the children of I Promise’s first graduating class that they would be guaranteed four years of tuition and one year of free housing at the university.

The “I Promise School” was built for students with special needs, but according to ESPN, it also offers their parents the opportunity to finish high school and receive free tuition at the University of Akron after graduation.

In April 2019 New York Times reported that the school’s third- and fourth-graders performed surprisingly well in the first round of district testing.

“You are Mr. LeBron James’ first class. His first love,” Tankersley told students seated in an auditorium during a visit to Kent State, according to a video celebrating the announcement. “It all started because of you.”