Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 08/01/2025 K-Gr 3—A fun, imaginative story of two friends playing. "If we were dogs, I'd be a big dog! And you'd be a little one!" The bigger dog excitedly shares all the adventures they'll have. Then the little dog speaks up; "Being a dog is YOUR idea!/ Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!" Issue resolved, play resumes. The illustrations enhance and deepen the story. The enthusiastic Golden Retriever and a small black-and-white mutt show how dismayed they are to be dogs. When they drink from water bowls, the smaller dog happily splashes about in the bowl. The tale begins showing two children hiding under a table, one eagerly talking about dogs. The toys the children play with are incorporated into the drawings of their adventures. The colors are muted with some of the illustrations and text in panels. The text alternates between black or white font on the page or handwritten font in conversation bubbles. The front end papers show silhouettes of different dog breeds; the back end papers silhouette a variety of animals. With its cheerful drawings, this charming story of friendship, differences of opinion, and acceptance is great for both reading aloud and independently. VERDICT An excellent addition to any library.—Tamara Saarinen - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/01/2025 Following up If I Was a Horse (2023), two-time Caldecott medalist Blackall offers a gently funny romp through the classic push-and-pull of a kids’ game of “what if.” As a birthday party winds down, two pairs of patterned socks poke from under the tablecloth, and, in a hand-lettered speech balloon, an exuberant voice proposes that the pair should consider themselves as canines. This self-pronounced “big dog” goes on to enthusiastically describe a tail-wagging, stick-chasing, park-romping life for the pair, while scenes reveal the bemused, increasingly exasperated reactions by the other, “volun-told” to be the small one, to all this so-called fun. When the large, goofy golden finally pauses for breath, his compatriot pipes up with his own idea of what could be a ducky thing to pretend. With illustrations digitally rendered in gouache and pencil and layered over vintage papers, Blackall animates this expressive party-hatted pair with genuine charm. Through the sequence of familiar doggy escapades, this good-natured tale gives voice to the fun of elaborate imagining—and the reminder that every friend deserves a say in the story.High-Demand Backstory: A new book from beloved, acclaimed Blackall is always big news in the book world. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.