Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2020 K-Gr 3—This picture book sparkles with a mix of basic and surprising information about oceans. Beginning with the request "Would you do me a favor? Check to see if there's any salt water beneath you," the text grabs readers' curiosity with its friendly, inviting style and then provides the necessary information. The illustrations are a perfect match—amusing and informative, with some unexpected details. Fishman explains how oceans affect us—the role of the water cycle in providing fresh water, food, and oxygen; the impact of the ocean on everyday life; and the need to confront problems like climate change and pollution. While emphasizing the wondrous aspects of the ocean, Fishman also encourages readers to help keep the oceans healthy. VERDICT A perfect combination of text and illustration invites young readers to learn more about our oceans. A fabulous find for science and social studies teachers, and young readers exploring nonfiction books.—Myra Zarnowski, City University of New York - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2020 - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2020 The most difficult part of writing this book was not being able to include every ocean fact, says Fishman’s author’s note, but there is still a wealth of information here. The book builds upon basic treatments of the water cycle to expand readers’ idea of the ocean’s role in that system. The bulk of the accessible, chatty text covers unexpected ways in which the ocean affects our everyday life—about three billion of Earth’s inhabitants rely on seafood to survive, for example, and oxygen generated by marine plants is part of “almost seven out of every ten gulps of air you take.” Toward the end of the book, the author discusses how we owe the ocean better treatment than we currently give it, and urges readers to do their part. A closing spread delves deeper into some topics touched upon previously—phytoplankton, the water cycle, aquifers, and climate change. Greenberg’s whimsical jewel-toned cartoons underlie each page of text, enlivening the material and making it suitable as a read-aloud option for classes covering the water cycle. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.