Bound To Stay Bound

Bulletin for the Center... - 04/01/2013 Twenty-six gentle poems explore the forest and its denizens in this poetic tribute to the natural world. Subtly following the progress of the seasons, verses examine aspects of the forest milieu such as footprints in the snow (“Forest News”), the growing vegetation (“April Waking”), the beauty of a summer evening (“Dusk”), and the critters preparing for oncoming winter again (“Squirrel”). There’s a pretty delicacy to the poems, and while they lack the verve of Joyce Sidman’s brilliant combination of information and evocative vividness (in Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature, BCCB 11/11, Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, 3/09), the simple personifications and kid-accessible imagery (“Lichens are graffiti artists”) make the verses especially appealing to younger poetry audiences. Gourley’s watercolor illustrations, which float on snowy backgrounds to offer a closeup look at a bird or branch or stretch more broadly across the page to feature a young girl and her dog exploring the woods, have a streamlined designery touch. Though the figures are occasionally a little awkward, the verdant botanicals and airy landscapes are attractive. The verses are approachable for readers and vivid for readaloud listeners, so this is a title with a broad spread of possible use. Even if there’s no nearby forest, just have kids close their eyes, listen to the poetry, and imagine that there is. DS - Copyright 2013 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Booklist - 04/15/2013 VanDerwater’s collection of 26 breezy, accessible poems explores in close-up detail the fascinating microcosm of the forest, from its lush sensory experiences throughout the seasons to its charmingly diverse cast of characters. Playful word choice, effortless rhyming schemes, and simple metaphors and imagery (Ferny frondy fiddleheads / unfurl curls from dirty beds) brighten the collection’s quiet, contemplative tone. Personification of many of the subjects, from a courting frog to maple leaves affecting fall color, bring the subjects even closer for young audiences, while still offering kernels of factual information. As with most themed collections of this size, some poems stand out and others less so, but the crisp, bright watercolor illustrations on white backgrounds, which depict a girl and her brother’s ventures into the woods throughout the year, add another layer of distinction to each poem and further express the meaning in the words. Dip into this appealing collection for an introduction to early nature studies or poetry writing, or for generating some well-deserved enthusiasm for a stroll in the great outdoors. - Copyright 2013 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2013 Gr 3–4—Creatures and plants and the sights and sounds of the forest are described from the perspective of a girl who appears occasionally in this collection of nature poems. Simple watercolor scenes, set on softly washed backgrounds or white space, run above, beneath, below, or alongside each selection, which generally focuses on a specific aspect of forest life. For example, "Moss" reads, "Barefoot on this emerald carpet/toe-by-toe I squish across./I softly sink in velvet green./Oh how I wish for socks of moss." The girl, other human companions, and her dog encounter chickadees, tree frogs, lady slippers, lichens, and fossils, and these forest experiences span the seasons. The poems are simple, well-shaped, and pleasant for read-aloud sharing. The book is an inviting tour for those who enjoy observing the natural world through poetry.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.