Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 01/01/2015 K-Gr 2—Heos and Ang offer another amusing adventure for Billy, the baby born with a mustache. The intrepid toddler meets his match in a playmate who sports an impressive beard. During an action-packed visit, the boys show off their various talents, trying to prove which of them is the true hero and who should be the sidekick. To Billy's chagrin, Javier continually bests him in every activity, from a magic show to a pretend presidential debate, and then a neck-and-neck race on their trikes. As the boys become more frustrated with each other, Billy's mustache curls into a bad-guy mustache and Javier ends up with a pointy bad-guy beard. In a final competition, they face each other in the wrestling ring. Billy's mother breaks up the match, sending the now-bitter rivals to sulk in separate corners, but she then helps her son realize that sometimes it is better to be the first to apologize. In the end, Mustache Baby and Javier become "pardners." The animated digital illustrations capture the spirit of competition between the children and add much humor. During the debate, Billy bears a striking resemblance to Theodore Roosevelt, while Javier looks like Abraham Lincoln, and from the sidelines, Billy's bemused cat and dog silently observe the youngsters' antics. Children will also appreciate the playful tone of the narrative, which is replete with allusions to the Old West. Pair this title with Yuyi Morales's Niño Wrestles the World (Roaring Brook, 2013), another story about a determined little boy with a big imagination.—Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MA - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/01/2015 This tongue-in-cheek romp follows the (sort of) manly rampages of Mustache Baby and the new kid in town, Beard Baby, as they try to outdo each other. A potential friendship is derailed as the toddlers vie over just about everything: teddy-bear rassling, hobby-horse riding, magic, math, aviation, art, running for president, dueling, and even pro wrestling. Mustache Baby is continually upstaged by the interloper, resulting in frustration, anger, and finally parental intervention and a time-out. At this point Mustache Baby realizes there is one thing he can be first at: saying he is sorry. Peace is restored, and the rivals become friends and true partners. The witty cartoonish illustrations provide additional humor, and the toddlers’ constantly morphing facial hair helps emphasize their passionate, over-the-top reactions. Younger readers will enjoy the silly story, and older readers will appreciate the amusing details threaded through the artwork. Consider this a good companion to Beth Ferry’s Stick and Stone (2015) in terms of whimsy and the effortless message about the importance of friendship. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.