Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/15/2022 Featuring the peppy bunny from No! Said Rabbit (2021), this highlights the process of prepping—and sometimes waiting—to go out. On a sunny day, Dad suggests a trip to the park, and Rabbit’s excited, anticipating all they could do. But first, there’s getting dressed, which Rabbit does—“READY!”—but Dad says, “NO! That’s your winter coat!” After Dad rejects many of the outfits Rabbit picks (a tutu, a sheep costume), a shorts-and-jacket ensemble gets a resounding “YES! . . . That’s just right!” Picking snacks goes smoother, but now Rabbit can't find Elephant. Looking for the chosen toy leads to distractions, like reading and painting. Eventually, Rabbit’s really ready—except now Dad isn’t, taking a call from Grandma and then searching for glasses and keys (Rabbit helps solve that). Delightful gouache, pencil, and ink illustrations extend and enliven the narrative, from the text formatting and animated montages with whimsical details to the sweet moment of the similarly attired Rabbit and Dad, hand in hand, finally departing. An entertaining read and read-aloud, this amusing story about a familiar experience offers a nice nod to young ones developing independence. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.