Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2019 PreS-Gr 2—This gently purposeful book is brought to life with luminous mixed-media illustrations that uplift and extend the writing. The text is less a story than a motivational piece about the courage to overcome obstacles. It talks about how "you" might feel, and ways to conquer fear and find "your" bravery. The illustrations, a mix of India ink, watercolors, colored pastel pencils, and acrylic paint, begin the story on the title page, as a family packs up their car to move. The story takes place over the course of the overnight drive to the new home. Wheeler captures the dichotomy of fear and hope through the contrast of dark, shadowy sections and glowing greenish-yellow light. The full-bleed images alternate between close-ups of the unnamed female protagonist as she sits in the car, and single pages and spreads from outside the car, showing the scenery as the family drives. The text has a motivational feel, suggesting readers mentally picture courage as a light, and the illustrations depict it as a flame that becomes imagined butterfly wings that appear in firefly-like lights. As morning arrives, the sun rises and the protagonist accepts her challenges and discovers her bravery. VERDICT The quiet text will likely find an audience in parents and teachers looking to introduce bravery, but the real impact here lies in the gorgeously detailed, textured, and glowing illustrations, which make it rise above average. Most libraries will appreciate this lovely addition.—Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Library, CT - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/01/2019 Moving away from everything familiar can be a frightening prospect, as the girl in this story experiences. She and her parents are packing up and leaving their neighborhood, their friends, and her school to move to a new town. The text, along with detailed, cool-toned richly saturated illustrations, reveals the girl reliving memories and gathering her courage during the nightlong car ride to their new home. During the drive, she looks through a photo album and revisits other moments in her life when she was afraid: jumping into a swimming pool, riding a school bus for the first time, standing alone on a stage. As she recalls the outcome of each of those scary moments, she realizes that she came through those situations braver than before. When the family arrives at their new house, the girl stands Wonder Woman–style, displaying strength and filled with optimism. This title helps show children they can learn to be in charge of their feelings and that a positive attitude will go far in allaying fear of the unknown. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.