Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 05/15/2017 A wide range of readers have embraced Auggie’s story in Palacio’s novel, Wonder (2012), and this picture book version stands on its own to highlight the novel’s message for the youngestreaders. Addressing the audience, Auggie shares the things he likes to do, such as ride bikes and eat ice cream. He likes ordinary things; he just does not look ordinary. A multicultural group of children make fun of him, prompting Auggie and his dog, Daisy, to don astronaut helmets and take a fantasy trip across the galaxy, where the expansive view helps change his perspective. Returning to Earth, he’s met by a boy who wants to be friends. Palacio’s multimedia illustrations, inspired by the novel’s book jacket, are a pleasant, engaging visual combination. Auggie and Daisy are solid images, while the backgrounds have a stamped quality, with colors variously faded and darkened. With a warm message at its heart—“maybe people can change the way they see . . . and they’ll see that they’re wonders too”—this story should inspire plenty of empathy among little ones. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.