Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 12/01/2019 Bernard is a bird with an unusual problem: he can’t fly. Despite his best efforts (including one ill-advised attempt involving a slingshot), Bernard’s floppy, extra-long wings won’t let him stay aloft. After watching all of his friends take to the sky, Bernard is left on the ground, alone. Just as he resigns himself to a flightless existence, he’s distracted by a weeping orangutan that seems even more despondent than he is. Without thinking, Bernard uses his long wings to wrap the ape in a hug, and soon all of the forest animals are coming to Bernard for an embrace. The splashy watercolor-and-pencil illustrations create a vibrant forest setting for Bernard to wander, and the story occasionally requires a 90-degree turn of the page to take in the full spread. It’s a humorous story with an important takeaway: our differences can be the very thing that make us dear to others, and embracing those differences can lead to the best things in life. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/01/2020 PreS-Gr 2—A tiny purple bird longs to fly with his feathered friends but is grounded by his extremely long wings. After many failed attempts at staying airborne, including being sprung from a slingshot, Bernard resigns himself to a solitary life on a lonely branch. Seasons pass and the woebegone birdie stays perched, with his droopy, scarf-like appendages trailing despondently down the tree trunk. When Bernard hears a sob coming from "someone even more dejected," he offers comfort. The little bird's compassionate nature, combined with a mammoth wingspan, makes him a top-notch hugger. Word soon spreads throughout the forest, and a long line of animals wait their turn for some loving attention. Adamson's warm and expressive watercolor and pencil illustrations show Bernard wrapped around a ticklish crocodile, snuggled up beside a blissed-out bunny, and patiently listening to a bat's troubles during an evening therapy session. This small bird discovers he can reach new heights by leaning on his peers. VERDICT Told with humor and heart, this sweet friendship tale soars.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont. - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Loading...