Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 06/01/2018 *Starred Review* Lies, creator of the best-selling Bat Book series, brings his whimsical storytelling and strong ability to portray natural settings to this tale of friendship. The backdrop throughout is an intensifying blizzard, depicted so well that readers can see the strength of the wind on the blown-back fur of the animal characters’ faces. The action kicks off with Izzy, a chipmunk, getting a letter from her friend Bear, urging her to “Please come at once!” Outfitted with a striped scarf and tiny lantern, petite Izzy sets out, trudging through the deepening snow. Just as Izzy can walk no farther, she encounters a friend, a sweatshirt-wearing squirrel, who carries Izzy on his back through the treetops until the branches become too slippery to grasp. Next, a duck in a Peruvian hat appears, taking the squirrel and chipmunk on a hazardous flight, which brings them to a sweater-clad raccoon, who gives all three a ride to Bear’s door. Lies’ arresting illustrations of the animals’ journey through the wintry woods include dramatic double-page spreads and paneled scenes that convey the storm’s mounting ferocity. The surprise resolution upon reaching Bear’s cozy den is highly satisfying, as is the book’s depiction of a blizzard that is no match for resourcefulness and camaraderie. This bracing story weaves warmth and excitement into a memorable celebration of friendship. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 10/01/2018 PreS-Gr 2—When Izzy, a chipmunk, receives a letter from Bear asking her to come quickly, she knows it must be serious because "Bear never asked for anything." The tiny critter sets out to help her friend, even though snowflakes are beginning to fall. When the snow becomes too deep for Izzy to walk through, a squirrel comes along to help, and carries the smaller animal through the treetops. As the sky darkens and the snow deepens, a duck, and then a raccoon soon show up to help their friends find the way to Bear's house. After the foursome finally arrives at the cozy den, Izzy is in for a big surprise. Bold acrylic illustrations in deep red, blue, green, and brown are rich with details: the expressions on the animals' faces, the crash into a cupola, the texture of Bear's Irish knit sweater, the duck's ear-flap hat, and the glow from Izzy's lantern and Bear's fireplace. The cover art of the four animals is reminiscent of the classic tale of "The Bremen Town Musicians" and is only the beginning of a humorous, heartwarming work. VERDICT An appealing seasonal read-aloud or one-on-one choice.—Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.