Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/01/2022 K-Gr 3—Fleeing from war-torn Spain at age 11, Luis had no chance to learn to read or write, but he tenderly imparts his nature literacy to his beloved six-year-old grandson. The garden is exuberant with sky-high beans, ripening cherries, and edible wildflowers. Lópiz shows in lush, dreamy illustrations in muted colors the magic of the world Luis shares with the boy. A wonder-filled landscape of flowers, birds, aromatic meals, and cranky cats, it is also a world far beyond what can be taught in a classroom. Showing love and admiration across generations, this sweet title can be a guide for the appreciation of the natural world and the quiet love of family. VERDICT This lovely purchase is a gentle yet effective work; its story and rich, complex illustrations highlight the joy of sharing the natural world that exists between a boy and his beloved grandfather.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/08/2023 *Starred Review* In this imaginative, insightful portrayal of a child coping with the loss of someone special, Sylvester writes a letter to G.G. (“Greatest Grandma”), letting her know she’s missed—and loved. In vibrant artwork and an expressive narrative, Sylvester describes how he could send it—by skydivers, who land on a train leading into a jungle, and more. Then Sylvester treks by bike to deliver the letter himself, eventually attaching it to his toy plane and sending it soaring into the night sky. Evocative blue-hued depictions of Sylvester’s silent, lonely return journey interweave with images of his memories of G.G., and are paired with the letter's sweet sentiments, ranging from lighthearted (how pickles remind him of G.G. because she's “the most pickle-loving person I know”) to affectionate (“I was thinking today that you are one of my favorite people of all time”). While younger readers may not totally grasp the reason for G.G.'s absence, Burgess and Cochran's playful, upbeat, and touching depiction of grief and mourning reassuringly portrays the ways Sylvester's connection with G.G. endures and her presence is still felt—particularly in the combination of the bold artwork (including a thrilling gatefold) and spare yet poignant text. Related in a compassionate, gentle tone, Sylvester’s experiences will reassure the reader that even with sadness, there can be joy, solace, and inspiration, too. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 01/19/2024 PreS-Gr 2—Sylvester needs to send a letter to his G.G. ("Greatest Grandma"), but it can't be sent the usual way. His plan to mail it involves skydivers, a speeding train, and a brilliant swarm of butterflies. As the narrative recounts Sylvester's wildly elaborate ideas and the subsequent text of the letter, readers will come to understand that his grandma has died. The prose is spare yet poignant, deftly crafting a picture of all the little ways G.G. was special to Sylvester, from her expertise at imitating a dove's cry to the particular way she would enjoy a slice of cake "a la mode." Vivid illustrations rendered in bold marker strokes capture the story's varied moods, including a brightly colored gatefold that opens to an exuberant, marvelously detailed depiction of Sylvester's grand ideas, followed by pages in somber shades after Sylvester realizes his plans won't work. This poignant journey through grief resolves on an uplifting note as Sylvester receives a sign that his message got through after all, and he decides to pursue a new skill to honor G.G.'s legacy. VERDICT Simultaneously comforting and heartbreaking, this is a beautiful ode to imagination, determination, and the uniquely precious relationship between a grandparent and grandchild.—Allison Tran - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.