Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2023 PreS-Gr 1—One quiet October night, Horton the elephant is out counting stars by the light of the moon when suddenly he hears a loud "Boo!" echoing from a nearby cave. The sound frightens Horton and his friends, especially the monkeys who swear to have seen an enormous shadow in the cave as well. Unwilling to spend the night in a tree, Horton bravely leads his companions into the unknown to discover the source of the sound in order to determine whether they really need to be afraid, after all. This charming story is just right for fans of Horton Hears a Who, especially in anticipation of the Halloween holiday. Dr. Seuss's iconic illustrative style adorns the pages of this book, and there are just enough nighttime hues to enhance the spookiness of the setting. Accompanying the illustrations are rhyming couplets of text in Seussian style. Though there are not as many unusual words in this book as others within the Seuss canon, the vocabulary is wide and varied, which enhances young readers' own understanding of language. The story keeps readers engaged as the characters investigate the source of the mysterious noise, and the ending teaches a lesson about bravery and open-mindedness in a way only a Dr. Seuss book can. VERDICT Nostalgic and enjoyable, this is a delightful addition to Halloween storybook collections for young readers.—Mary Lanni - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.