Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2026 K-Gr 2—A top-notch title in the "I Like to Read" series, Geisel Honor winner Madan's latest beginning reader offers kids a glimpse into the natural community of a cactus while inspiring them to give everyone a chance. A cactus is a fun place to live for a variety of birds and mammals, but then a family of spiders moves in. The residents are unsure of their new neighbors until a huge storm causes damage to their beloved cactus. Then it's spiders to the rescue, fixing the cactus and paving the way for acceptance of other new creatures. Text is brief and simple with repetitive words throughout, perfect for building confidence in young readers who are working on reading sentences. It is the illustrations that carry the story, with a variety of animal characters doing fun, often humorous, humanlike activities in their cactus home. The art was created digitally but still has a hand-drawn quality that adds interest. Textured brushes create an impressionist effect that is simple yet realistic and fits well with thin line art. VERDICT A solid addition to any beginning reader collection. Also useful in SEL lessons.—Virginia Pine - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2026 Cactus Home is a thoughtfully crafted early reader that conveys an important message about community and inclusion through simple, accessible text. Set inside a bustling cactus inhabited by birds, bats, owls, and other small creatures, the story introduces a gentle conflict when spiders arrive as new neighbors. The established residents are wary, unsure of what these newcomers will bring to their shared home. When a powerful storm damages the cactus, the spiders offer their help. Through cooperation and shared effort, the community discovers the value of teamwork and the rewards of welcoming those who may at first seem different. With its limited, carefully chosen text, Cactus Home is ideal for emerging readers developing fluency and for interactive read-aloud sessions. The bright, detailed illustrations—featuring engaging mini-scenes within each spread—invite close observation and discussion. Young children will enjoy guessing what is happening in each scene. This visually rich, warmly told story provides young readers with an accessible introduction to empathy, collaboration, and hard work. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.