Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 11/01/2021 Violet, a quiet child, has a crush on Mira, a vivacious classmate, and fantasizes about impressing her with daring deeds. But whenever Mira speaks to her, Violet turns shy. That winter, she makes a glitter-sprinkled, heart-shaped card for Mira. On Valentine’s Day, Violet tucks the card into her hat, but at each opportunity to deliver it, she chickens out. Summoning her courage at recess, she calls out to Mira, only to have the special card blown away by the wind and trampled by stampeding classmates. Still, Violet manages to retrieve the crumpled valentine and hand it to Mira, who smiles and gives Violet a heart-shaped locket before they gallop off to share a make-believe adventure together. The sensitive third-person narrative details Violet’s thoughts and emotions throughout the story and reveals Mira’s in the happy ending. Capturing the girls’ distinct personalities, the illustrations glow with warm, delicate colors, which are set off most effectively in the snowy outdoor settings. An appealing picture book for reading aloud, particularly in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 01/01/2022 PreS-Gr 2—In this sensitive picture book about first friendship and first crushes, Violet, who has pale skin and red hair, daydreams about taking her friend Mira, who has light brown skin and curly hair, on heroic adventures. "As far as Violet was concerned, only one person in her class raced like the wind. Only one had a leaping laugh. Only one made Violet's heart skip." But every time Violet tries to tell Mira how she feels, she goes shy. As Valentine's Day approaches, Violet decides that a handmade card is the perfect way to show Mira just how special she is. A soothing color palette enhances the story's quiet and lighthearted tone, and transparent watercolor washes on textured paper add light and warmth to wintry scenes. Children will notice Mira's baffled expressions in the background as Violet frets, offering opportunities for conversation around social-emotional learning. Cheerful schoolmates are drawn with varying shades of skin and hair types. Mira's warm response when Violet finally delivers her valentine is touching, and sends a reassuring message about being true to one's feelings. While the girls' relationship is not explicitly romantic, Violet's daydreams (where, for example, she is wearing a knight's outfit and laying treasure at Mira's feet) and her skipping heart suggest that her feelings may grow into something more. VERDICT This book fills an important need for non-heteronormative representation in picture book collections and will sit alongside books like Thomas Scotto's Jerome by Heart. Recommended for holiday collections.—Amy Fellows - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.