Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2003 PreS-James, an urban-dwelling preschooler, goes on various short outings with his parents. They take a bus to visit a family with twins, a taxi to Grandma's house, and a yellow car to the county fair. They walk next door to a red brick apartment building so he can play with his friend Angela. After each trip, readers are asked "And what do you think James liked best?" Four suggestions are given and listeners have the opportunity to make a personal choice (there are no "correct" answers). The realistic, brightly colored, gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations chronicle everyday events in the boy's life. Ample white space gives the book a sparkling clean, uncluttered look, and the pictures are large enough to be enjoyed by a group. A cheery, appealing addition that is perfectly in tune with a young child's sensibilities.-Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CT Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. - Copyright 2003 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Bulletin for the Center... - 03/01/2003 James is an adventurous soul, traveling to four different destinations four different ways: by bus to visit the twins, by taxi to see his grandmother and aunt, by car to the county fair, and by foot to a play date with his friend, Angela. The events of each brief excursion are precisely communicated, and at the end of each section Schwartz includes a simple question: “And what do you think James liked best?” The question is followed by suggested answers for readers and listeners to discuss—such as, in the first section, “Was it the robin? Or the toy fruit? Or the muffin? Or was it Angela?” James’ excursions are a preschool panoply of treats, from the green and white stripes on the express bus to the little fork with which James eats cheese, from the windshield wipers on his mother’s car to the muffin he eats at Angela’s house, and the book includes enough different modes of transportation to make would-be travelers wiggle with glee. Schwartz’s pristine illustrations are streamlined and clean; the lucid, transparent colors make her gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations (sans crosshatching and other details) seem almost weightless. This is a terrifically simple, successful way to get readers and listeners to interact with printed text. Whether you read it aloud to a group or use it one-on-one, make sure to leave time for discussion among budding debaters. - Copyright 2003 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Booklist - 03/01/2003 *Starred Review* Schwartz is known for capturing the moods and motivations of young ones, and in this delightful offering she also invites children to see if they can figure out what the characters are thinking about. The appealing, oversize book contains four stories about young James, who likes to go visiting. He takes a bus to the suburbs to see a family with twins, and a taxi to Grandma’s, where he plays cards with his aunt (the one with funny hair). A car transports James and his parents to the country fair; cotton candy and corn on the cob are attractions. But for a visit to his friend Angela’s, all James has to do is walk down the block. Both text and artwork are designed for interaction as Schwartz puts specific questions to her audience: “What do you think James liked best? Was it the corn on the cob? The green snake? Or the windshield wipers.” The dialogue is simplicity itself, and Schwartz knows just what children will find interesting. She also knows that parents will want to know their little ones’ opinions, feelings, and observations about the goings-on. Within James’ simple everyday travels is a path for parents to engage their children in dialogue and a way for kids to stretch their imaginations and learn how to make choices. Schwartz’s signature paintings are simple, bright, and touched with patterns, and they show up well against expanses of white background. The book’s underlying usefulness, one-on-one or in groups, is equaled by its fun. - Copyright 2003 Booklist.

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