Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 12/23/2022 PreS-Gr 2—With endpapers featuring cupcakes, pink pigs, friendly cows, and sprinkled cookies, this book will have children on the path to sweet dreams before they have turned a single page. A young child with tan skin and a black bob with the pronouns of "they" and "their" is ready for bed—pajamas on, teeth brushed, book read—but is reluctant to go to sleep due to a concern about having bad dreams. Momma's soothing response: "If you need to, you can always call on the Good Dream Dragon." After making the usual and not-so-usual attempts at falling asleep, including counting sheep, ducks, cows, and pigs, the youngster summons the dragon. The periwinkle-and-purple creature soon appears in the bedroom with a flourish and proclaims she will take the child to the dreams, since the dreams are not arriving on their own. Traveling by dragon entails flying among the stars and comets and ending up in Dreamland, with its quilted countryside, flowers, and butterflies. Stopping in a town made entirely of books, the child relaxes in a comfy chair and reads bedtime stories, including one that reflects the story they are in, until the dragon delivers the sleepy child safely back home. When the youngster begs the dragon to stay, they are reassured there is nothing to fear; their bravery is obvious as courage was revealed by willingness to accompany the flying dragon to distant Dreamland. The full-color digital illustrations extend from margin to margin with some vignettes, and reveal all the actions of the text. It's all as soothing as can be, and will send any child off to peaceful dreams. VERDICT Here is a satisfying tale sure to enlist the imaginations of young listeners for a pleasant bedtime.—Maryann H. Owen - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.