Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/01/2018 PreS-Gr 2—Canine duo Miles and Spike take a hike, grabbing all the provisions they can get their "paws" on along the way, while shouting out smart-alecky rhymes to their animal acquaintances. "Stay loose, Moose!" is followed by "Smell you soon, Raccoon!" and even the more taunting "Buh-bye, Butterfly!" When their load of collected items becomes too heavy for them to carry on their own, their responses reverse to apologetic rhymes for their rude behavior. "We acted dumb, chum," and "Let's try again, then" is followed by a friendly invitation for the others to be included in their picnic festivities with a final shout of "Join the fun, everyone!" Foster and Long's hilariously pithy rhymes are perfectly paired with cheerful comic illustrations, both good enough to make a popular TV cartoon sitcom. Several of the phrases, including the book's catchy title, are popular idiomatic expressions. This just adds to the overall creative fun of the story, demonstrating to children that playing with words makes language that much more enjoyable. At the same time, the message that resonates at the end is that it pays to get along with others. VERDICT An enticing picture book sure to win over any library storytime crowd with its rollicking rhymes and enduring message. Recommended for widespread purchase to enhance most library collections.—Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 07/01/2018 While preparing for a picnic, two dogs set bad, and then better, examples of behavior—at first rudely kissing off the woodland creatures beneath whose noses they’re gathering berries and other supplies, and then changing their tune to invite one and all to the festivities. The dialogue, enclosed in balloons, consists entirely of short, rhymed phrases that go from “Take care, GRIZZLY BEAR!” and “Smell you soon, RACCOON!” to (following the turn at “We acted dumb, chum”) “Want to go, BUFFALO?” “Let’s head out, RAINBOW TROUT!” and finally, “Join the fun, EVERYONE!” The actual plotline is almost entirely laid out in the big, bright cartoon illustrations, which feature a pair of spaniels in hiking boots and a gathering mob of animals whose angry frowns change to smiles midway through. Oddly, there is no alligator in the cast to prompt a “See you later, alligator!” Still, young audiences will have no trouble catching on to the pattern and chiming in with the appropriate rhymes. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.