Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/22/2022 K-Gr 2—In the latest entry to this burgeoning canon of exuberant bat books, Little Bat sets out to learn the answers to all the questions buzzing in his head about daytime. What animals are up and about? What happens to the stars? He is rescued from a circling hawk by Rusty the squirrel, with whom he proceeds to have a lively morning in a fountain, on a swing, a slide, and turning an abandoned birdhouse into a clubhouse. But Little Bat simply can't stay awake past noon. Is the friendship doomed? When Little Bat leaves a message on a leaf at the clubhouse and Rusty replies, they discover a way to keep the nocturnal/diurnal friendship alive. As with the previous books, the appeal here is in the bright acrylic, watercolor and colored pencil illustrations that are almost tactile. The joy of the cavorting animals springs off the page. Details like Little Bat's floaties, a hammer made from a twig and an acorn, and the shadow figures the friends create in the sunshine will bring a smile. VERDICT Sweet and visually appealing but short on dramatic tension, this is best for collections where Lies's other books are in high demand.—Jan Aldrich Solow - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 07/01/2022 Lies adds to his popular Little Bat series with this brand-new adventure. Little Bat wants to stay up all day to meet the animals that sleep all night. The first few daylight hours are difficult, as the bright sunshine and noisy bustle of activity make it hard for him to get his bearings. When a hawk soars overhead, Little Bat is saved by a squirrel named Rusty, who offers to help the little guy stay awake until sunset. Despite frequently falling asleep, Little Bat has fun with Rusty, playing shadow games, swimming in a fountain, and discovering an abandoned bird house, which they clean and decorate as a clubhouse. The new pals grow sad when they realize that it will be hard to stay friends since Rusty is diurnal and Little Bat is nocturnal. Will their friendship survive? It does! The pair discovers they can leave notes for one another in the clubhouse. Expressively illustrated in saturated acrylics, watercolors, and colored pencil, this simple friendship tale highlights the benefit of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.

Booklist - 07/01/2022 - Copyright 2022 Booklist.