Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2026 PreS-K—In the dark of night, two young people venture up a winding road into an old ghost town in the mountains. As they explore the space in the ever-increasing darkness, more and more spooky situations befall them. From ghosts to bats to skeletons, the children are surrounded by uncomfortable creatures, ultimately leading the youths to make an important decision that helps them find safety once more. Set to the tune of "She'll be Comin' 'Round the Mountain," this book begs to be sung with a group of enthusiastic participants. Playful font and a repetitive structure enhance the visual appeal, and the rhythm of the text is perfectly attuned to singing, including occasional made-up words to balance the rhymes and rhythm. The illustrations feature two fair-skinned humans surrounded by a plethora of supernatural creatures. A dark color palette and creepy visual details enhance the spooky design of the book. Classrooms and storytime audiences will delight in the blend of music and imagery that help make this book, and spooky season, a little more accessible to young children. At the end, an author's note goes into more detail about what ghost towns are as well as the history and musical notation of the tune upon which the story is based. VERDICT Fun for spooky read-aloud settings, this book is an entertaining choice for library collections for preschool-aged readers.—Mary Lanni - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Publishers Weekly - 06/08/2026 A ghost town is the setting of Becker and Garrigue’s shivery spin on "She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain." As grinning ghosts and grumpy anthropomorphic mountains keep watch across thin-lined illustrations, two children, one brown-skinned and one pale-skinned, and their dog take a winding path into a ghost town one dark night. In suspenseful, cumulative fashion, the kids light upon a new fright on each spread, recounted in rigidly rhythmic verse with onomatopoeic call-outs ("There’s a cabin off the main street, don’t go in!/ KNOCK-KNOCK!"). But it’s the discovery of a magic jawbone that unleashes a skeleton’s "clinking, clanking, and sashaying" denouement and sends the children skedaddling. Amid an ever-present parade of ghosts, inky pinks, purples, and teals give an aura-like energy to this appropriately goosebump-y ride. An author’s note and sheet music conclude. Ages 4-8. (June) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2026 Two children and their dog take a nighttime excursion to a deserted town by way of a narrow winding path into a foreboding mountain range. The dark-haired girl is fearless as she leads her reluctant red-haired companion through a haunted cabin filled with friendly looking ghosts. As the kids wander around, their dog quietly gathers bones he finds along the way, which eventually merge into a dancing skeleton that puts an abrupt end to the Ghost Town tour. The text can be sung to the tune of “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain,” featuring repetition and a cumulative refrain that will keep children’s attention. The rhymes are on point and contain creative words that add to the fun. Many elements of ghost stories are included in the dark-hued illustrations, such as bats, rats, spider webs, a casket, and a creaking cupboard, which enhance the slightly eerie story. Throughout, the ghosts appear to be having a fun-filled night observing their visitors and appear dismayed when the youngsters hightail it out of town. A fun tale, fit for musical story time and sure to encourage children’s participation. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.