Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2026 K-Gr 3—Art lovers and art-lovers-to-be need to unite over this book, which offers a look at a journey to an art museum. The unnamed, ungendered protagonist—tan skin, black curly hair—is stubbornly against visiting the local art museum. Once at the museum, the child starts to slowly fall in love with the artwork that is everywhere. With vibrant illustrations that take inspiration from Pollock and Mondrian as well as Pixar and Disney, this title combines the whimsy of a child's initial distaste for art with a heartwarming story about celebrating modern art and museums. Readers see that what starts out as a chore turns into a day of discovery. VERDICT A worthwhile purchase, this is a creative tale suitable for classroom use or in read-alouds.—Sarah Nashak - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/01/2026 When a young boy’s mother informs him that today they will be visiting an art museum, he responds with reluctance, complaints, griping, and groveling. Once they’re in the museum, he’s surprised by some of the art on display and increasingly impressed by the originality of the artworks as well as the unusual materials, styles, and approaches used in creating them. Piece by piece, he begins to experience art in a different way, looking closely at each one, imagining how it was created, and appreciating artists’ imaginations and the work that goes into making an original piece of art. Leaving the museum, he shows his appreciation to his mother by remarking that he’d like to return. The boy narrates the story, making his emotions abundantly clear at the beginning and the end, and, while he’s observing art in the galleries, making perceptive comments about aspects of the paintings and sculptures. This amusing picture book would be a memorable read-aloud choice prior to a family outing or class trip to an art museum. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.