Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 02/10/2025 As two dear friends enjoy themselves on a playground, discussing their constant companionship, brown bear George can’t understand why gray rabbit Lenny might want to try spending some time alone. Lenny considers: "What if being alone is just as much fun as being together?"; "Impossible!" George responds, gliding down a slide. But Lenny is resolute: "I am going to find out! I am going to find a quiet place and be alone." When George offers to go along, Lenny refuses, squaring their rabbit shoulders: "I can’t be alone if we are together." And as Lenny puts the plan to the test, George manages to give Lenny just enough space to experience solitude in which "I can draw! I can build! I can blow bubbles! Play music!" Bold black outlines and minimalist backgrounds from Agee (My Dad Is a Tree) highlight the characters’ crystal-clear expressions and gestures in this all-dialogue picture book. It’s an economical portrait of an essential relationship sweet spot: being able to get much-needed me-time that lasts just long enough in a place that’s not too far away. Ages 4-8. (May) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 05/01/2025 K-Gr 2—Moving across blank pages from one sparely drawn piece of playground equipment to another, little rabbit Lenny wonders what it would be like to be alone. His constant companion George, a big brown bear, thinks it would be lonely and sad—but after some discussion reluctantly trudges off, leaving his little buddy to crawl into a small, windowless cubby. Inside are enough books, blocks, and other items to keep Lenny happily occupied until the light outside begins to fade. Wondering then what became of George, he leans out to call and finds his friend lying on the cubby's roof, not more than a few inches away. "Wow, George," says Lenny, crawling out to join him, "this is the best spot to be alone!" George agrees heartily: "Because we're together!" Though the illustrations feel incomplete, Agee presents a scenario that will resonate with children who occasionally wish for some solitude, even if just for a while, and even if in a contained way. In a story-hour setting this would pair nicely with the "Alone" chapter from Arnold Lobel's Days with Frog and Toad, which adds both angst and nuance to a similar separation. VERDICT A sweet, if sketchy, affirmation that solitary play has its pleasures too.—John Peters - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.