Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/28/2025 PreS-Gr 2—Jackson was once so full of joy that everywhere he went, he would leave behind his unique, colorful mark. Over time, as he encounters sad or confusing situations, his color starts fading. However, when his pet hamster dies and his best friend moves away in the same week, his world turns completely gray. Concerned, his parents take him to the school counselor, who encourages him to search for one color each day. Even though he is skeptical, Jackson gradually finds himself noticing small bits of color, whether in the blue of the ocean or the orange of the evening sky, leading to tiny sparks of joy. While the message-driven narrative feels heavy-handed at times, the visual storytelling is a powerful tool in supporting children navigating grief or sadness. As the puffs of color that initially follow Jackson lessen and eventually turn gray, readers see a visible representation of how grief takes hold. Although the lack of narrative and character development may not lend itself to a whole group read, the concept of reclaiming joy through small, mindful moments is a valuable one and may prove useful for individuals experiencing loss. VERDICT A supplemental purchase, this book may serve as a helpful tool for teachers, counselors, and therapists supporting children in the throes of grief or sadness—Louie Lauer - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Other - 05/26/2025 Color becomes both metaphor and therapeutic tool in this supportive account of a child struggling to emerge from a depressive rut. Once "chock-full of joy and vibrant colors," pale-skinned Jackson’s joy dims in the face of everyday sorrows, and when his best friend moves and his hamster dies, he’s left "gray and empty inside," hues echoed in the illustrations. Enter a school counselor who provides actionable advice: "Each day, look for one color you see outside, and think about how it makes you feel.... If you can’t find the colors inside your heart right now, maybe you can find them somewhere else." Emotionally aware prose describes the powerful effects of Jackson’s ensuing efforts: the ocean’s blue offers feelings of "cool and calm and confident," and an orange sunset brings "warmth and comfort," leading to his experiencing a "healing rainbow kaleidoscope of wonder." Jones’s realistic paintings adroitly use a range of hues to echo the text’s theme, and a starry splatter effect amplifies the story’s instruction around mindfully connecting with the world that surrounds. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note and therapist afterword conclude. Ages 4-8. (May) - Copyright 2025