Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 01/01/2017 K-Gr 2—Georgie and her dad visit Grandpa, but she is not certain that he will remember her. Together, they look through old photos, and Grandpa recounts memories, but he still cannot remember Georgie. A love of making paper hats keeps the man and his granddaughter connected, despite his struggles with memory. In this title, an award-winning Australian author tackles the confusion and sadness of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia from a child's perspective. There is no mention of the actual conditions, but by sticking to concepts that young children are beginning to understand, Cummings creates a very accessible story. Swan's soft watercolor and pencil illustrations help emphasize the theme of memory, from Grandpa's photos to the very detailed newspapers throughout the tale. At the end of the story, Grandpa loses his paper hat to a gust of wind. Although Georgie tries her best to retrieve it, she cannot—just like her grandpa's memories. Despite the lost hat, Georgie has hope that they can make a new one together. The last section highlights Cummings's sensitive take on a difficult subject, especially for children. VERDICT This is a must-buy picture book that any family with young children and a relative with Alzheimer's or dementia would appreciate reading. Due to the subject matter, this would be best shared one-on-one.—Meaghan Nichols, Archaeological Research Associates, Ont. - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/01/2017 When Georgie and her father visit her grandfather in a nursing home, Georgie is anxious for Grandpa to remember her. Looking at pictures together, Grandpa can tell Georgie about his childhood, his brother and mother, and his wartime experiences. He is kind to Georgie but cannot connect her to the red-headed younger girl in one of his photographs. What he does remember, however, is the pleasure of making newspaper hats. Georgie, her dad, and Grandpa make several hats to give to friends in the facility, allowing them all to have an enjoyable shared experience. The watercolor-and-pencil illustrations effectively expand the narrative. Georgie’s brightly colored hair makes her stand out in contrast to the soft pastel tones used for Grandpa. The pictures are placed initially on a plain white background. As the family distributes the hats, increasing amounts of yellow give the pages a brighter feeling. A two-page spread demonstrates how to fold the hats. This realistic story would help children better understand a loved one with memory loss. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.