Bound To Stay Bound

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School Library Journal - 08/01/2015 K-Gr 2—Yak and Gnu take off down the river, delighting in the fact that "no one else/but you and me/can float a boat/or sail the sea." However, they quickly discover that they aren't alone in their seafaring ways, as other animals, including a calf and a stingy (scorpion), in a variety of floating vehicles join the party. When Yak feels anxious about the crowd, Gnu reminds him that their individuality and friendship make them unique and that "there's nobody else…quite like you." Rhymes and tongue-twisters give this counting tale a Dr. Seuss vibe. Interesting word choices (catamaran, flotilla) enliven the fun, though inconsistent rhyme sometimes makes the text awkward. Brightly colored watercolor and ink illustrations match the whimsical tone and give readers plenty of silly, highly anthropomorphized animals to visually explore. The ending seems predictably sweet without much substance, and the addition of new animals on each page ultimately feels repetitive, rather than adding new dimension to the story. Still, those who enjoy word gymnastics will likely be satisfied. VERDICT Good for libraries in need of rhyming, tongue-twisting stories or books featuring animal antics.—Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, La Crosse Public Library, WI - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2015 In this jaunty rhyming story, Yak (in his kayak) and Gnu (in her canoe) take to the water, secure in the notion that “no one else/ but you and me/ can float a boat/ or sail the sea.” That notion is sunk when they meet a sailing goat (“A goat in a boat?/ That can’t be true”). And then a snail. And a calf. And a succession of other sailing animals, culminating in a flotilla of gorillas (each sharing boat space with a humpback whale) and “an ocean cruise/ full of yaks and gnus.” Fortunately, Gnu points out that friendship matters more than uniqueness, and the two paddle on, singing. While the scansion is a little variable, New Zealand author MacIver packs her short lines with charm. Audiences will delight in the chipper repetition, comic internal rhymes, and rueful cumulative tagline: “There’s nobody else/ like me and you! (Well, only Goat, Snail, Calf, Scorpion, Pig, and Rat.)” There’s a touch of William Steig in the line and watercolor illustrations; the animal cast is personable and buoyant (in both senses), and the art embraces the ridiculousness of the seagoing critters (the exultant giraffes in hovercrafts, cool in their shades and leather gloves, are particularly engaging). The waterway itself is peaceful and uncluttered but never dull (birds perch on stumps, windmills dot the banks, fish swim along), making it a solid supporting element. The Seussian silliness of the verse makes this a sure bet for kids looking for something gnu. DS - Copyright 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

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