Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 06/01/2019 This upbeat picture book follows an African American boy through his first day of school, from waking up in the morning to riding the school bus home. Taking hold of his mother’s words that he’ll be the “King of Kindergarten,” the royal metaphor gives him courage throughout the day as he meets new people and situations with bravery and excitement. Each page includes important milestones such as making friends, sharing, playing together, and going through the school day without any major issues, and Brantley-Newton adds clever imaginative details to these familiar scenes (an invisible crown, a chalk dragon, etc.). The illustrations’ bright colors reflect the book’s positive tone as it conveys the joys of growing up, starting school, and learning school routines. This will make an excellent addition to early childhood classrooms, or as a tool to help future kindergarteners understand what a typical school day can look like. Best of all, this story is free of disasters and jitters, making it an affirming choice for children in need of a confidence boost. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 08/01/2019 PreS-K—Joyful and empowering, this picture book celebrates the first day of kindergarten. A child wakes up on his first day of school with the knowledge that he is going to be the King of Kindergarten. On this special morning, everything takes on a royal shine, from brushing teeth to pulling on pants. Right after breakfast he's off for a ride on a "big yellow carriage" to school where he meets his fellow students with typical royal grace and charm. With the introduction of each part of this brand new day comes the assurance that nothing is too difficult for the King of Kindergarten. The vibrant and cheerful hand-drawn and digital illustrations feature a diverse classroom of children all helping one another. The text leads readers through a typical first day of school with lots of emphasis on being a kind and brave classmate and ruler. The young protagonist is backlit by a crown of a rising sun on several spreads; on others his imagined crown is seen reflected in windows or in chalk outlines on the ground. This marvelous story will give each reader an opportunity to see themselves as "the charming, the wonderful, and the kind King of Kindergarten." VERDICT Perfect for storytime or one-on-one readings, this book is an absolute first purchase.—Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library, RI - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.