Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 09/15/2017 An eye-catching illustration of an orangutan and her baby will draw children to this collection of verse by science writer Davies. Five thematic sections with headings such as “Colors and Shapes” and “Animal Homes“ give the presentation a bit of structure. The book’s generous size and heavy, glossy pages provide an excellent showcase for the mixed-media artwork. The very large, colorful illustrations are impressive, and Horácek uses the space well, offering striking images of many species. Often written in rhyme (or slant rhyme) and usually steering clear of anthropomorphism, the poems vary in effectiveness. Some of the best, such as “Baby Gorilla,” capture instants in the wild, while others muse about animal behavior and dramatic moments, marrying interesting facts to poetically phrased information. Other selections, such as “Ways to Get to Water,” appear to be straight prose. Each section ends with a double-page spread of detailed drawings accompanied by prose captions. Kids intrigued by animals will enjoy the art while absorbing some information along the way. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 10/01/2017 K-Gr 3—At first glance, this oversize volume is extraordinarily eye-catching. It is drenched, page after page, in vibrant colors that realistically depict numerous creatures from around the world. A brief poem accompanies each of the featured animals. The verse—occasionally rhyming or free verse, and mostly rather forced—focuses on key characteristics of the beasts, although there are examples of the author using poetic license to anthropomorphize some of the critters. And therein lies the rub: the subtitle of the book implies it is for very young readers, yet the fonts used (much of the text is in script) and the interpretation of many of the poems will require an adult companion. For example, readers may not be familiar with terms such as canopy and pylon or ribbon, which, in this usage, really stands for a blade of grass. Each lyric may lead kids to seek out more information, and teachers could use the book with older students to demonstrate how poetry can convey information. VERDICT Large poetry collections with an interest in animal subjects may want to consider.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.