Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2024 PreS-Gr 1—Written from a child's first-person point of view, this book introduces a town where everything is made of ice cream, from streets and schools to stores and pools. "Let's all live in Ice Cream Town! Everywhere you look around—ice cream up and ice cream down. Let's all live in Ice Cream Town!" Appealing to an early childhood readership, the illustrations and text work in tandem to pull young readers into the narrative. Varying warm and cool palettes, the pictures balance larger spreads with smaller layouts to accompany the target text. The illustrations also portray a town that reflects cultural diversity, where young readers are likely to see themselves represented in the story. Although some of the summative repetition seems unnecessary at times, the text balances musicality, rhyming, and repetition to engage children with words in an authentic and engaging context. VERDICT This early reader showcasing a tasty treat offers children the opportunity to hear rhyming words, associate sounds and text, and practice early literacy skills.—Jennifer Strattman - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.