Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2020 PreS-Gr 3—Jenkins and Page explain the duties of a zookeeper in a simple and intriguing way. Multiple zookeepers are shown in action but are only identified by their hands (varying skin colors are shown). Each page features a different animal accompanied by an informative paragraph. Readers will learn that a wild tapir rubs its body against a tree to remove ticks and that pandas eat almost nothing but bamboo. Zookeepers are also portrayed giving milk bottles to giraffes and manatees that may have been separated from their mothers by illness or natural disaster. Textured collage illustrations bring the animals to life and create a sense of authenticity. The back matter includes a historical time line, information on the world's top zoos, the pros and cons of zoos, and solid facts and statistics about each animal mentioned in the story. VERDICT Recommended for general purchase. Young readers will learn about an underrepresented profession in this title, which also encourages a love of animals.—Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/01/2020 Caldecott Honor Book collaborators Jenkins and Page describe some of the many tasks of zookeepers in this latest offering. They go beyond the obvious answer, feeding the animals, to detail some specific tasks: cuddling a joey, shining a tortoise's shell, brushing a hippo's teeth, and picking up panda poop. For each scenario, they offer a catchy verb phrase (tickle a tapir), provide a paragraph of explanation (wild tapirs scratch to remove ticks, but in captivity they enjoy having their fur raked), and include full-color artwork appropriate to the discussion. The varied illustrations, featuring this team's signature colored-paper collage, include close-ups (an elephant pedicure), spot art, and scenes that span beyond a page turn (five zookeepers stand on scales holding a python to determine its weight). The last four pages comprise a detailed appendix offering zoo pros and cons, a history of these facilities, a listing of top zoos, and further information about each cited species. Clever, engaging, and always informative, this will be welcomed by animal-lovers and fans of this duo. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.