Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 08/30/2024 PreS—A positive introduction to food's role and function in human lives, this celebration features a wide assortment of delectable eats. Although light on facts, Ehlert describes how tummies rumbling are "your body saying, 'feed me'" and that food provides energy and purpose. Liem's brightly colored illustrations depict intergenerational characters with different body sizes, moving from vignettes to full-bleed spreads. In one vignette, a girl has potato chips as she creates art; tacos, salad, pizza, sushi, dumplings, cake, and more cover tables at a celebration in a full-bleed spread. A smorgasbord of food is beautifully rendered, validating "all food is delicious" as tastes like sweet, sour, spicy, and salty are briefly explored. The role of fats, protein, and sugars are effectively explained in a double-page layout that reveals the simplified X-ray of a boy kicking a soccer ball. The source of food, "from the ground" or the store, and its ability to "connect you to the world" and family are vibrantly depicted. Back matter includes an FAQ about food neutrality and Intuitive Eating for parents, which is the basis for the concept "all food is good food," but the lack of any bibliography or source notes is a drawback. VERDICT A refreshing and fun perspective about food that encourages children to see food neutrally. Recommended.—Rachel Zuffa - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.