Bound To Stay Bound

Publishers Weekly - 03/09/2026 Previous collaborators Elliott and Denmon (A Place Inside of Me) deliver a reflective picture book on Juneteenth’s origins that’s positioned, per an author’s note, as a message from ancestors who "knew from experience that freedom is a journey and not a destination." Beginning with a Black child’s birth and moving into their maturation, incantatory lines describe the hands and arms of those who offered baths and baptisms, "oiled your/ tender head," and "cradled you till/ the fever broke." Digitally finished multimedia portraiture incorporates glimpses of the earth and sky, and lyrical lines acknowledge that while the child "as intended... grew/ to be Black/ and proud," abiding love and care can’t shield them from harm. Sun-tinged scenes of the child, younger, with caretakers next shift to lush images of the youth, now older, in community. And as text introduces concepts of undertaking the unfinished work of liberation, final spreads visualize activists, athletes, musicians, and more taking part. Modeling community care, it’s a fervent work of collaboration and inheritance that urges moving forward while remembering the "hope/ that birthed/ you" and that "you are/ deeply loved." An author’s note concludes. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 6-8. Author’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (May) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.

Booklist - 04/01/2026 This picture book delivers a lyrical poem of Black experience that celebrates identity while thoughtfully introducing the concept of freedom as an evolving journey. The text reads aloud well and is both emotional and empowering while maintaining a gentle tone, making it especially effective for shared reading and reflective discussion. With the reality of racism as a strong undertone, the book offers a thoughtful introduction to difficult topics and serves as a conversation starter by centering love, hope, and resilience. The accompanying illustrations have a soft finish that supports the tender tone of the text and invites lingering attention. Children and adults alike will appreciate the illustrated poem, though it will resonate most strongly with older children who are developmentally ready to engage with its deeper themes and layered meaning. Although the title and author’s note connect the poem to Juneteenth, the text itself doesn’t explicitly reference the holiday, allowing the message to reverberate beyond one specific occasion. This emotionally resonant picture book that lyrically affirms and encourages Black children would serve well in a classroom, family, or community reading setting. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.