Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/15/2023 When an adventuresome kitten sets out to explore, he meets Penny (the ship’s dog) and Captain Flinders. The amiable captain names him Trim and makes him the ship’s cat. After a brief introduction to life aboard a sailing ship, Trim learns to climb up to the crow’s nest and back down. Later, he spots a giant bird swooping toward Jack, the ship’s parrot, and leaps to scare the predator away. Saving Jack, Trim lands in the sea but climbs a rope back onto the ship. Basking in his captain’s praise, he sits on his shoulder as the sun sets, the tide rises, and they sail out of the bay. The historical setting provides a welcome shift from conventional beginning-reader fare, and many younger children will enjoy hearing the story read aloud. Inspired by an early nineteenth-century British captain’s account of his seafaring cat’s adventures, the simply written narrative has broad appeal, and the digital illustrations are lively and expressive. Trim Helps Out, published simultaneously, is the second volume in the promising Adventures of Trim series. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.