Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2014 PreS-Gr 1—Jane is an ordinary dog, which under normal circumstances shouldn't be cause for much angst. But as part of a circus troupe in which all of the other members of her family are extraordinarily graceful, strong, or brave, she feels the need to find her special talent. Unfortunately, she's afraid of heights, is not all that artistic, "and then there was that whole balancing ball disaster." Readers will notice that the ringmaster has a soft spot in his heart for Jane and understand how he could be perfectly content with her being "a really good dog." Harrison's detailed and expressive illustrations give the circus animals plenty of personality and lend an air of grandeur to their talents. The pages depicting Jane's disaster-prone circus tricks and the resulting emergency room visit are particularly funny. In a world full of competition for kids to be the fastest, smartest, and best at everything, this story's message is a worthy one. Jane is exceptionally good at being herself, and for that, she is loved.—Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/15/2014 In this darling picture-book debut, Jane, a little white dog, sits under a series of circus posters touting the amazing feats performed by animals including her own family members: mother, a graceful rider; father, the strong “man”; brothers, daring canine cannonballs; sisters, fearless on the high wire! Is Jane extraordinary, too? Minimal text provides the thought thread, but it’s the bold acrylic paintings bursting with primary colors set against white backgrounds that capture the action as well as the comical but pointed comparisons. Mother’s fur flies as she balances atop a horse; Jane’s fur flies when she scratches fleas. Father heaves an elephant overhead; poor Jane can hardly drag the bucket containing the elephant’s poop! Jane’s attempts to find her special talent, illustrated in a few dramatic, dizzying spreads, end in spectacular disaster. Youngsters will sympathize with Jane’s struggles, but they will also notice and be reassured by how fondly the ringmaster looks at Jane, who is, in fact, an excellent companion. Tots will sit, stay, listen, and beg, “Again!” - Copyright 2014 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 04/01/2014 . . . Jane” but that’s perfectly okay. The ending admittedly lacks some punch, but the Bichon Frisé-esque Jane, with her slightly pink tummy pooching out, is an adorable heroine. Harrison’s vibrant acrylic illustrations are dimensional and detailed, offering a a slightly less stylized version of Adam Rex’s circus animals in Gaiman’s Chu’s Day (BCCB 1/13). Thoughtful compositions and unusual perspectives emphasize the action and derring-do of circus performance, contrasting the action humorously with little Jane undertaking more cautious canine activities: while her tutu-clad sisters perch precariously on a tightrope in a close-up from above, a tiny Jane watches quietly from the opposite page’s corner, for example. This could make a fetching addition to circus- or dog-themed storytimes, and while the message is well-worn, it’s also reassuring to those kids who worry about whether or not they measure up to their peers. JH - Copyright 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

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