Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/15/2016 *Starred Review* What does saw mean anyway? If you’re Wenzel, the word is an invitation to explore, to think, and to “see” in new ways. Here, a repeating refrain with more than a hint of nursery rhyme pads through the book, right along with the central character: a cat. “The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws. Yes, they all saw a cat.” Each page turn reveals how a series of creatures sees the cat. To the child, it is big-eyed and adorably fluffy; to the fish in the bowl, it’s two huge, blurry eyes; and to the bee, it is a series of faceted dots. To create these varied visions, Wenzel uses the spacious width of double-page spreads and a wide range of materials, including oil, pastels, watercolor, and pencils. He plays with perspective in other ways, too. A yellow bird looks down at the cat below, and a flea peers through a forest of fur. The result is fascinating, thought-provoking, and completely absorbing. Rich in discussion possibilities and curriculum applications, this is a treasure for classrooms, story hours, and just plain enjoyment. - Copyright 2016 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 12/01/2016 PreS-Gr 3—Readers see the world through a different set of eyes thanks to Wenzel's whimsical and eye-catching artwork as a child, a fox, a worm, and others look on as a tabby saunters through a variety of environments. Each distinctive and imaginative spread features a shape-shifting perspective—such as a bee's pointillistic view of the feline—set to a stripped-down, rhythmic text. - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.