Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/01/2016 In this first Andy and Sandy book, geared toward emerging independent readers, Andy arrives at the playground thinking, “Today I have the place to myself!” Meanwhile, someone new appears—Sandy, who’s thinking, “I’ve never been to this playground before.” Initially, they each play separately (Andy thinks, “I bet she has lots of friends,” while Sandy wonders, “He probably wants to play by himself”). But, gradually, they both realize that certain activities, like kicking the ball and swinging, might be more fun together. It’s when they spy the seesaw, however, that those thoughts become spoken words, and Sandy asks Andy if he’d like to play. He does, and after enjoying their seesaw ride, they announce simultaneously, “We are friends!” Spare, uncomplicated text makes this easy to read for little ones starting out on their own, and dePaola’s ever-appealing multimedia illustrations subtly reinforce the concept through Andy’s and Sandy’s varying, sometimes overlapping perspectives. The scenario and supportive, insightful approach will likely resonate with many kids, especially shyer ones, highlighting how reaching out can bring rewards like fun and friendship. - Copyright 2016 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 01/01/2016 PreS-Gr 2—In a brand-new, not-to-be-missed series for young children, dePaola and Lewis introduce readers to Andy and Sandy. When Andy Met Sandy opens with a boy excited to see an empty playground, but within moments, a girl arrives. The two play independently, confident that the other will not want to be bothered, but after spying the seesaw, they realize playing together could have its advantages, and they become fast friends. In the second installment of the series, Andy and Sandy are playing dress-up on a rainy day. Once again dePaola and Lewis highlight the children making independent costume choices before realizing that teamwork allows them to dress up as a dragon. The authors carefully craft their story to avoid gender stereotypes when assigning each character's costume. The design layout in these early readers is flawless. Wordless spreads show sequencing and slow readers down as they digest the stories. Watercolor illustrations that help readers decode text are expressive and appealing. The repetition of sight words and simple sentence structures surrounded by plenty of white space are ideal for young readers and encourage independent reading. The depth of the stories also make them perfect for shared readings and discussions. VERDICT Andy and Sandy belong in every beginning reader collection.—Beth Parmer, New Albany Elementary Library, OH - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.