Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2015 K-Gr 2—Rambunctious Princess Pinecone is the smallest warrior in her kingdom, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in enthusiasm. Tired of receiving novelty sweaters for her birthday, Pinecone asks her parents for a big, strong battle horse—and receives a chubby little pony with a vacant expression, and incurable flatulence, instead. Though he doesn't fit the standard requirements of the typical trusty steed—"It's too small! It's too round! And I think its eyes are looking in different directions…(This was true, but only sometimes.)"—the little pony proves to be a surprising asset on the day of her great battle. Chunky, colorful digital illustrations provide plenty of detail to keep readers entertained; older children will enjoy exploring all of the different posters marking Pinecone's walls, or some of the sillier warriors in the battle fray, including one sneakily eating a hot dog. The text contains a healthy dose of alliteration and buzzwords that will boost vocabulary ("Pinecone was flabbergasted, flummoxed, floored!") while making for a fun read-aloud. VERDICT A highly recommended, charmingly illustrated tale of teamwork and tenderness.—Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/01/2015 *Starred Review* Princess Pinecone may be the smallest warrior, but that doesn’t stop her from wanting to be a champion! Her birthday is approaching, and this year she wants a horse perfect for riding into the upcoming battle. What she gets instead of a stately steed, however, is a short, fat, cross-eyed pony that farts too much. Pinecone tries to train the daffy little thing in time for the great battle, but it doesn’t go well—check out the fat pony cheerily on his back while a majestic knight fist-bumps his stallion in the background. But Pinecone perseveres, and despite her pony’s shortcomings, they join in the great battle anyway. When they leap (or, rather, toddle) into the fray, Pinecone gets ready to be a fearsome fighter only to discover that her dopey ride melts even the fiercest warriors’ hearts. Beaton’s offbeat, colorful cartoon style makes great use of expressive brows, exaggerated figures, and huge eyeballs for maximum cuteness, and she stuffs each spread with hilarious details. Little ones will surely empathize with Pinecone’s aspirations to be big and powerful, but it’s Beaton’s expert comedic timing that will rein them in for the long haul. The perfect combination of heartwarming and hilarious. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2015 “Most warriors get fantastic birthday presents. . . . Princess Pinecone got a lot of cozy sweaters. Warriors do not need cozy sweaters.” This birthday, Pinecone has made it clear she wants a glorious warhorse, but what she gets is a weirdly shaped little pony (which “ate things it shouldn’t have, and farted too much”). When a great battle occurs, Pinecone hovers at the sidelines in hope that she and her pony will at least get a chance to participate. Instead, the warriors melt at her pony’s cuteness (“That is not how a battle usually goes,” Pinecone accurately notes), and when one sadly remarks that they “don’t often get to show our cuddly sides,” Pinecone shrewdly unloads her cozy sweaters on the group. This is the first foray into picture books for Beaton, author of the popular Hark! A Vagrant webcomic, and her signature wit is on display here. Once past the setup, the plot doesn’t always make a ton of sense, but the absurdity and gleefully irreverent tone compensate. The goofiness is matched by the art, wide-eyed digital cartoons that give Princess (biracial daughter of two warrior-looking parents) the vigor of mid-century animation. The life-transforming pony has a round face, bulging eyes, and dangling tongue that recall internet-famous cat Lil Bub, offering a comic contrast to the graceful wavy-maned steeds of Pinecone’s imagination. This is a princess book that could break gender boundaries, appealing to fans of Scieszka and other irreverent authors, and it will provide a stepping stone to early graphic novels, particularly Simpson’s Phoebe and Her Unicorn (BCCB 10/14). DS - Copyright 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

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