Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2017 PreS-Gr 2—This sweet and simple story (only 38 words) conveys an important and powerful message. A man and woman come upon a plot of land for sale. They make plans to build a magnificent home, bring in their supplies, and eagerly set to work. However, when the couple begin to cut down a tree that is right in the middle of their plot, they find out it is already home to birds, squirrels, an owl, and rabbits. When they realize that they would deprive other living things of a home in order to make one of their own, they are contrite. Their solution is original and charming and could provide discussion fodder among readers of a variety of ages on a wide range of topics, such as respect for nature and the concept of ownership. The pen-and-ink illustrations work seamlessly with the text in this straightforward but important story. The wordless spread depicting the couple's anguish over the devastation they have wrought is surprisingly moving given the cartoonlike nature of the illustrations. Suitable for independent reading, this title is also ideal for group sharing and a perfect choice for Earth Day presentations. VERDICT Large and small collections should make room on their shelves for this lovely offering.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/15/2017 “Land for Sale” reads a sign beside a tall, spindly-looking fir tree standing in the countryside. A bird family and a squirrel family nest in its branches. Owls shelter in a hollowed-out section of the trunk, while beneath the ground lies a rabbit family’s burrow. A cheerful couple arrives with plans for a grand house, but when they start sawing the tree, the nests tumble to the ground. Stricken, they reconsider and then begin repairing and improving their new neighbors’ abodes. For themselves, they build a modest tree house, “a happy home.” This story of compassion is told with brevity and illustrated with finesse. Deftly drawn in pen and brightened with watercolor washes, the illustrations zoom in for close-ups of the animals’ homes and then pull out to show a broader view of the setting. With just a few words in large type on each double-page spread, the spare text leaves plenty of room for kids to observe, imagine, and talk about what’s happening in each scene. This appealing picture book is just right for reading aloud. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.