Bound To Stay Bound Books, Inc.

Full Text Reviews:

School Library Journal - 07/01/2022 PreS-Gr 2—In this poignant wordless book, a young boy eager to prove his responsibility as a dog owner begins dragging an empty leash wherever he goes. When he finds a dog living in a box on the street, it is love at first sight. Once he successfully sways his parents by cleaning his unmanageably messy room, an adoption is made—and a family is complete. The delicate hatching of Cole's ink drawings (black and white, except for the bright red of the dog's leash and collar) engenders a subtle air of grayscale nostalgia, not old-fashioned as much as quietly comforting. The inclusion of the boy's parents, an interracial same-sex couple, provides a modern update to a classic narrative. VERDICT This sweet and touching story will prove a worthy addition to any collection.—Jonah Dragan - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 07/01/2022 A dog-obsessed boy and an abandoned pup take center stage in Cole's latest wordless offering. The boy presses his dads for a dog, but they are reluctant, given that the child's room is always a disaster. Undeterred, the boy goes about proving he's responsible; he cleans up his mess and uses an empty leash to walk his invisible pet every day, rain or shine, eventually discovering an abandoned pooch in a cardboard box. Back home again, the boy cheerfully assists with household chores (while dreaming of the dog), and eventually the dads agree the pup can join their forever home. Cole's black-and-white illustrations include numerous setting details (particularly the boy's bedroom, which is full of canine posters, stuffies, and books), and the use of red for the leash and dog collar helps focus the reader's attention. Set in a city neighborhood filled with brownstones and small businesses, the story plays out in a welcoming, dog-friendly community. Reminiscent of Dayal Kaur Khalsa's I Want in the very best way. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.