Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/01/2025 *Starred Review* There were many things that made Septimus question his standing as a badger. The spots (rather than stripes) on his snout for one. His cozy cottage near the sea (instead of the forest) for another. And then there’s his fondness for opera and collecting seashells—not to mention his friendship with the seagull he calls Gully. He knows that, taken together, all these things make him bad at being a badger; but his deepest, most secret worry is that they might mean he’s not a badger at all. Happily, Gully accepts Septimus just as he is, but when the bird misses several of their regular tea breaks on Septimus’ porch, the concerned badger determines to search for his friend. The spirit of Frog and Toad is very much alive in this tender account of two friends who become committed companions and learn that caring for each other is more important than sharing all of the same interests. Small mishaps and simple pleasures fill the short chapters along with soft pencil drawings that capture the unconventional yet loving dynamic between Septimus and Gully. A delightful resolution to the mystery of Gully’s disappearance forces Septimus to bravely step outside of his comfort zone, gain confidence in himself (and his badgerness), and embrace the life he wants to live. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.