Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2017 Gr 3–6—The proverbial fox may be a menace to the henhouse—but not the hero of this work. The titular character lacks gumption, guile, or cunning, and the chickens send him running each time he ventures into the farmyard. Taking pity on the fox, the wolf proposes playing the long game: stealing eggs and eventually eating the hatched chickens. The fox successfully makes off with the eggs, but things get complicated when the chicks emerge and (surprise, surprise!) assume that the fox is their mother. Though this work is similar in look and tone to typical comic strips (bulging-eyed, caricaturelike characters with exaggerated expressions; occasional slapstick violence; motion lines), there's a sophistication to the art that recalls the author/illustrator's roots as a celebrated filmmaker and cartoonist. Renner sets the individual scenes against a white backdrop, free of borders, resulting in a clean design, and the use of color, texture, and shading is top-notch. While much of the humor derives from somewhat predictable setups, such as the fox's botched attempts at proving that he can be just as intimidating as the wolf, it's sure to tickle young funny bones, and the author injects the narrative with a sly, edgy sensibility that sets this title apart from more typical fare. This one has heart, too, depicting the fox's burgeoning feelings of affection toward his unlikely ward. VERDICT Bound to keep adults and kids alike laughing, this is a winning selection for comic book fans, reluctant readers, and those who enjoy subversive comedy.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2017 After constantly failing to catch any chickens and be taken seriously as a predator, Fox turns to the big, bad wolf for help. After some mentoring, Fox decides it’s much easier to just raise baby chicks and eat them when they’ve grown. But the chicks soon become attached to their new mother, and Fox feels conflicted by their affection, especially since they don’t find him scary at all. Renner’s style of storytelling, consisting of brief scenes on pages usually containing six borderless panels each, makes for quick and fun reading, and while there’s little in the way of character development or plot, that’s easily made up for by uproarious humor throughout. With ample slapstick and comic misunderstandings, this has the hilarious style of classic Looney Tunes cartoons. Renner’s character design also has a nostalgic feel; bug-eyed, irritable fox looks like he stepped out of a Tex Avery cartoon, while the design of the wolf lovingly mimics Wile E. Coyote. Crowd-pleasing antics for a wide range of ages. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

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