Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 02/15/2022 *Starred Review* Two brown-skinned children set out on a wonder walk. Along the way, they ponder questions about the world around them: Is the sun the world's light bulb? Is fog the river's blanket? Do mountains have bones? Many of their queries compare natural features to the human body: Are trees the sky's legs? Are rivers the earth's veins? Their inquiries consider forests, mountains, caves, rivers, and the ocean, concluding at home with, Is the moon the world's night-light? Archer's mixed-media illustrations feature a sunny palette of greens, yellows, and blues depicting their natural surroundings; the kids each wear an item of red clothing that helps to focus readers' attention and center them in the narrative. Most notable is the art itself, composed of collage spreads created with handmade papers that have been painted and stamped with patterns. The resulting layering adds a sense of three-dimensionality that enhances the presentations. Also striking is the spread depicting a cutaway view reaching into the soil; it includes pebbles and other items that visually resemble the layers of epidermis to which it is being compared. Likewise, the illustrations of wind (swirls of white) and rain (blue and white streaks) are also memorable. Both visually arresting and original in concept, this will give readers much to ponder. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.

Booklist - 02/15/2022 - Copyright 2022 Booklist.