Bound To Stay Bound

Publishers Weekly - 02/16/2026 Dedicated to "caregivers who give what they never got," Robinson’s animal-centric ode to fathers moves with a realistically nuanced portrayal of parents as people. Narration unfolds through opposition: "Dad is here now" reads text accompanying a frog escorting tadpoles upon its back; "Dad had to go away" follows as two wide-eyed owlets gaze at an adult in flight. While a seahorse models a tender father-child moment ("Dad holds on tight"), a shark ("Dad needs lots of space") and other animals touch on the way a dad sometimes "lets you down,/ and makes mistakes." When concluding pages pivot to human relationships, the depth-filled and textured paint and collage artwork captures fatherhood with tenderness and honesty: one dad wipes away a child’s tears, and another "sheds a few of his own." Even amid the examples’ push-and-pull, an underlying message of steadying care reassures, "Dad is with you,/ even when he’s not." Human characters are depicted with varied abilities and skin tones. Ages 3-6. (May) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2026 PreS-Gr 1—Robinson's paint and collage illustrations capture scenes of fatherhood in the animal kingdom and among humans in this homage to dads. Short, simple sentences highlight a variety of ways the relationship between fathers and their little ones may look. Some of the examples have a playfulness sure to inspire laughs. "Dad listens," reads the text accompanying an illustration of an elephant turning his large ears toward the calf following him. A spread with a shark and his pups reads, "Dad needs lots of space." Other scenes may tug on the heart, such as when it mentions that "Dad wipes away tears, and sheds a few of his own." Human fathers and children are shown with several different skin tones; one father is shown using a wheelchair. Back matter gives a fact about the parenting style of each of the species depicted, along with its silhouette for easy identification. This would make a wonderful bedtime read-aloud. It could also start a classroom unit on animal parents and their young, or be a mentor text for an art lesson on collage techniques. VERDICT Sure to engage young readers and be a popular choice to offer new parents.—Suzanne Costner - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/01/2026 In this appealing tribute to dads, both human and animal, bright paint and collage images depict young animals interacting with their fathers. Many of the adjectives used are positive, such as being strong, sweet, and present. Some are simply descriptive, because dads may hold on tightly or need their space. A dad may disappoint you or make mistakes, but he can also listen, comfort you, and make you feel safe. Dads may have to go away, but in the illustration that accompanies that text, an owl appears to be getting food for the chicks, suggesting that sometimes fathers go elsewhere to help provide for the family. Another image shows a tearful child looking at a picture of a man, as the text reassures, “Dad is with you, even when he’s not.” A list of the animals and some animal-father facts at the end provides more context for the illustrations. Robinson’s art is fresh and fun and, paired with the straightforward text, conveys depth and emotion. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.