Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 K-Gr 2—An early reader that offers lessons in reading skills and emotion management. Ziggy, a hippo, and Zak, a raccoon, are excitedly traveling through New York City to see "The Stomp City Show." Transportation issues delay the duo, resulting in a frustrated and angry Ziggy. The Statue of Liberty comes to the rescue with the gentle reminder to breathe and count to 10, and a calmer Ziggy enjoys music in the park with his friends. The target audience of emergent readers is acknowledged from the first page, which includes a list of all the words in the story children can practice before diving in. The story continues with rhyming text in short sentences throughout and ends with comprehension questions on the last page. Although the breathing and counting techniques offered to the characters are not unique, their delivery by a historical monument is amusing and anchors the setting and illustrations. The latter, however, is somewhat of a hindrance reading due to the chaos of some scenes, and a disconnect between the simple story and detailed illustrations, such as when multiple angry characters are shown chasing Ziggy and Zak for no apparent reason. The rhyming text has bumps, as in, "The train is late/ we cannot wait/ Here comes a bus/ It has no room for us." Ultimately, the flimsy plot gives way to a mediocre reading experience. VERDICT The book supports developing skills but lacks the quality story to fully engage emergent readers.—Casey O'Leary - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/01/2023 A hippopotamus named Ziggy and a racoon named Zak want to go to the Stomp City Show, but the train is late, the bus is full, the bike pops a tire, and when they finally arrive, the show is sold out! Ziggy is mad enough to stomp—until the Statue of Liberty gives him breathing instructions to find his Zen. Once calm, they follow a beat to Central Park, where they get to have a stomping party after all. This title is a terrific addition to Simon Spotlight’s Ready-to-Read collection. The rhyming text is incredibly simple with strong front matter that supports children figuring out the sight words and word families they will encounter; yet there is still a cohesive, interesting, emotion-filled adventure within the simplistic language. The animal characters and backdrops are wobbly and humorously rendered in calm pastels, and the illustrations are chock full of delightful New York details, from a Broadway marquis and Central Park amphitheater to the donkey busking on the subway and the rats playing poker down by the third rail. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.