Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/01/2024 This high-interest title is sure to delight animal-loving kids with its descriptions of fascinating—and sometimes messy—jobs with animals. With adorable, often hilarious pastel illustrations, each page here depicts someone at work helping an animal, with many of the jobs very unexpected. The snake milker, for instance, “must safely get deadly venom . . . by firmly grasping the snake’s head and pressing it against the neck of a glass bottle.” Also discussed, all in pseudo job ads, are similarly unexpected jobs, such as dog-yoga instructor, a hot walker (who helps horses to cool down after a race), and a cat-cafe barista. Better-known careers are covered too, with niche aspects helpfully included; children interested in medical care of animals can read about careers in veterinary science such as animal dentist or psychologist. Fascination aside—and there’s plenty of that here—it will be valuable for libraries to have at hand a book that describes many jobs with animals that don’t require lengthy education and expense. Though there are no source notes or references, this is still lots of fun. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.