Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2019 K-Gr 2—A young boy finds a homeless dog and patiently works to gain its trust. Walking home from school one day, an unnamed child sees a dog hiding in the bushes near his suburban home. Thin, trembling, covered in dirt and scars, and absolutely terrified, the dog shrinks from contact with anyone. Slowly and carefully the boy and his mother begin to feed and take care of the animal. This is a quiet story about cultivating empathy for anyone or anything that needs help. The boy is kind and considerate, constantly thinking of the dog, and what he can do to improve its condition. The slow and delicate pace of the text gives weight to this process and to the heartwarming conclusion. The illustrations keep returning to the same image of the dog in the bushes, showing how he emerges from hiding more and more as he begins to trust the family. VERDICT A sweet and tender story with a positive and happy resolution. Purchase where endearing pet stories are in high demand.—Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library, RI - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/01/2019 In the bushes between the sidewalk and his yard, a boy sees a dog and tries to befriend him. The first time, the skinny mutt runs off. So the boy repeatedly places food and water beside the hedge. Shivering from fear, the dog eats and drinks what the boy leaves, but remains reluctant to venture out of the bushes. The boy notices the dog's scars and keeps his distance, but often sits nearby and talks to him. When the boy asks Mom why someone would hurt a dog, she “says fiercely, “Some people are not as good as dogs.’” One morning, the dog finally licks the boy’s fist, and hears him say, “Let’s go home.” With many expressive picture books to her credit, Johnston writes simply and convincingly from the boy’s point of view, clearly communicating the dog’s fear and the boy’s patience and compassion in overcoming it. Created with strong black lines and muted colors, Nelson’s illustrations contrast the hopeful boy with the anxious dog, while kids will feel the longing on both sides. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.