Bound To Stay Bound

Publishers Weekly - 03/02/2026 Two siblings make sense of a fragile world in an insightful picture book debut from Palazzola that’s set around a clutch of frogspawn. When Kit’s little brother Peedie pokes at a bunch of frog eggs, Kit (who "knew about science" and "about little brothers") explains that they take the form of a blob to "keep them safe from kids with sticks." To soothe Peedie, who subsequently worries about the eggs, Kit invents the eponymous amphibian-a huge, sky-dwelling, deity who "looks after the little ones" and rides a magnificent steed called Tarnation. Over four chapter-like sections-each with inset drawings chronicling the eggs’ development-the Great Frog’s mythology deepens, as does Peedie’s understanding of collective care: "There should be a looker-after for everything little," he says. And when Kit finally admits there the Great Frog "was a story," Peedie responds with unexpected profundity, noting "Lots of true things are stories." Mixed-media artwork imbues the Great Frog’s domain with rich texture and romanticism, while the children’s world remains simplified in thin-lined cartoons. Via smart vignettes, the children’s frank discussion captures something essential about protecting vulnerability that’s worth dwelling on. Characters are portrayed with pale skin and dark hair. "Kit’s Science Notes" and an author’s note conclude. Ages 4-8. Agent: Liz Nealon, Great Dog Literary. (May) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.

School Library Journal - 05/15/2026 PreS-Gr 3—This quiet, reflective picture book focuses on imagination, belief, and the bond between siblings. When a brother and sister discover a mysterious blob in a lake, young Peedie pokes it with his stick. His older sister, Kit, intervenes by inventing a comforting tale about a watchful Great Frog who protects the blob. As the eggs transform, so does the story, until the truth is gently revealed: there is no Great Frog, only storytelling with a dash of imagination. Still, Peedie chooses to believe, suggesting that wonder has its own kind of truth. Palazzola's tender narrative is simple, allowing big ideas to surface through small moments. The tone carries a light touch of whimsy reminiscent of the imaginative curiosity found in Dipper and Mabel in Gravity Falls, where everyday discoveries can feel magical. The narrative thoughtfully explores how stories help children understand the world and how their "looker-afters" can learn from a child's willingness to believe. Illustrations are bold, clean, and expressive, using vibrant color and uncluttered compositions to keep focus on the emotional core of the story. The book is striking and memorable, rendered with a presence that invites readers to wonder whether it might exist after all. VERDICT A gentle, contemplative selection for one-on-one sharing or small story times, capturing the shared language of storytelling.—Cassie Veselovsky - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/01/2026 Kit and Peedie are camped out in their favorite secret spot when Peedie spots a patch of frog eggs in the pond. He’d like to stand guard, but his older sister assures him that the Great Frog will look after them, conjuring an image of an enormous benevolent frog floating on a cloud in a starry sky. Their next visit reveals a throng of tadpoles, and Kit expands the Great Frog mythology, adding an equine companion and a moon-castle home. Every subsequent visit/life stage comes with more elaborate Great Frog facts, until Kit finally feels duty bound to reveal that it was a fabrication. “Lots of true things are stories,” Peedie sagely responds, and the siblings agree to be the “looker-afters” themselves. The weird and wonderful story infuses whimsy into a lesson about a frog’s life cycle, combining the amusing mythology with a bit of science and a beautifully drawn familial relationship. The illustrations are inviting, whether capturing a cavorting sky-frog or sibling shenanigans. An unusual and affectionate reminder to look after the little things—and each other. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.