Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 06/01/2023 There’s a new school librarian in town, and the students are not happy. They loved Ms. Stack and are devastated that she moved away, but vibrant, funny cartoon-style illustrations, created with watercolor, ink, and pencil, signal that the tone will not remain morose. The first image of Ms. Bangle entering a room makes an impressive statement. Filling the doorway with her green pants, red clogs, flowered socks, brown skin, hair piled high on her head, and an overflowing armful of books, she immediately dispels any idea of a “shushing librarian.” She looks fun; she looks energetic; she looks ready to read! The kids, however, are not convinced. They brush off all of Ms. Bangle’s attempts to engage them, but Ms. Bangle has a few tricks up her bright yellow sleeve. Sly humor, creative problem-solving, and a book series called Daisy (that really should exist) combine to help the children give Ms. Bangle a chance. An entertaining entry to add to “first day of school” collections. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

Booklist - 06/15/2023 There’s a new school librarian in town, and the students are not happy. They loved Ms. Stack and are devastated that she moved away, but vibrant, funny cartoon-style illustrations, created with watercolor, ink, and pencil, signal that the tone will not remain morose. The first image of Ms. Bangle entering a room makes an impressive statement. Filling the doorway with her green pants, red clogs, flowered socks, brown skin, hair piled high on her head, and an overflowing armful of books, she immediately dispels any idea of a “shushing librarian.” She looks fun; she looks energetic; she looks ready to read! The kids, however, are not convinced. They brush off all of Ms. Bangle’s attempts to engage them, but Ms. Bangle has a few tricks up her bright yellow sleeve. Sly humor, creative problem-solving, and a book series called Daisy (that really should exist) combine to help the children give Ms. Bangle a chance. An entertaining entry to add to “first day of school” collections. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2023 PreS-Gr 2—Ms. Bangle, who is Black, is the new librarian at Belford Elementary, and she knows how to pick books that students love. The very first picture of her—wearing plaid pants, red clogs, sunflower socks, a gigantic bun, and with a pile of books balanced on her shoulder with loose sheets of paper flying around—conveys her energy, her goofiness, and her charm. However, the diverse students don't want to give her a chance. Change can be hard, and they believe they should remain loyal to their former librarian, an elderly woman who was kind. When the students refuse to listen to her story, Ms. Bangle doesn't protest. Instead, she gives the students jobs in the library while she takes the afternoon off. Before long, the students realize that library work stinks and that hearing a story might not be so bad. In fact, after listening to the story with Ms. Bangle, they realize their new librarian is pretty great, and pretty sneaky about getting them to accept her. The bright, watercolor illustrations capture the upbeat mood of the story, and the large eyes on the children showcase their uncertainty and wonder equally well. VERDICT A story that celebrates librarians, reading, and how the right teacher can ease the fear of change.—Sally A. James - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.