Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2026 Gr 3–6—Reynolds and Brown return to the sinister world of Jasper Rabbit's "Creepy Tales!" with another entry that leans fully into its delightfully macabre premise. This time, the spotlight shifts to Winona Mole, a young crocheting prodigy whose love of yarn borders on obsession. After a visit to a museum of fiber arts, Winona comes into possession of a mysterious crochet hook that elevates her skills to uncanny heights. Her creations become so lifelike, they fool even those closest to her. As she prepares to compete on the reality show Yarn Is Everything!, ambition overtakes joy, and the story spirals toward an eerie, cautionary conclusion. Reynolds's ominous narrator guides readers through escalating absurdity with impeccable comic timing. The premise is as delightfully ridiculous as it is unsettling, and the text balances humor and creeping horror with a steady hand. Brown's illustrations, rendered in grayscale with pops of glowing aqua, heighten the unease, and Winona's tapered hook—which defies the mechanics of real-world crochet—reinforces the supernatural turn. The interplay between text and image is especially effective as ordinary objects subtly shift into something uncanny. Darkly funny with a sharp edge, this installment underscores the cost of perfectionism without losing its playful bite. VERDICT A creepy, clever cautionary tale; a strong addition for fans of lightly spooky, highly illustrated chapter books.—Rose Garrett - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.