Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 09/15/2021 This Christmas will be an especially happy holiday for children who have been waiting for representation in a picture book about Santa. The story opens with a festive double-page spread that shows a Black family preparing for Christmas by wrapping presents, doing holiday crafts, and making a gingerbread house. As the oldest child narrates, he describes his love for Santa and an intense curiosity about what the man in red looks like. He investigates all the different Santa figurines and pictures (happily, all have brown skin) in his home and asks the members of his family for their opinions, to no avail. Then, he comes up with the brilliant idea of hiding with a camera to record Santa bringing gifts. Unsurprisingly, sleep finds the boy first, but when Santa finally arrives, the bleary-eyed boy catches a glimpse and realizes, “He looks just like me!” Not only does this welcome book show a Black Santa, it lovingly depicts the family engaging in holiday traditions and routines like braiding hair before bed. A warm tale for Kringle-curious kids. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 11/01/2021 K-Gr 2—A Black child wonders what the real Santa will look like. He's seen Black Santas featured all over his family's home, and even on Grandma's car, but he is determined to stay up and meet Santa for himself on Christmas. When he asks other family members if they've ever met the real Santa, Grandpa replies, "Your mama wanted to take his picture once, when she was your age, but she couldn't stay awake." When mama surprises the little boy with a brand new camera as an early Christmas present, the little boy is now more determined than ever to get Santa's photo. After being tucked in on Christmas Eve, the young boy tiptoes downstairs to try and stay awake for Santa's arrival. Only after he drifts off to sleep does Santa arrive and carry the boy back to bed. Barely awake, the boy dreamily sees that Santa does indeed look just like him. Illustrations are done in the traditional red and green Christmas colors that portray a happy family celebrating the joys of the holiday season. VERDICT A satisfying Christmas tale that is overdue, and wonderful addition to the shelves.—Tracy Cronce, Stevens Point P.S.D., WI - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.