Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/01/2023 The journey of a few ducks—from pond citizens to inspirations for picture books and back to the pond again as bronze sculptures—unfolds in this dual biography of illustrator Robert McCloskey and sculptor Nancy Schön. McCloskey and Schön each get their chance to develop as artists and characters on the page, but Kunkel takes special care on the way to the moment their paths overlap. Covering McCloskey’s early days writing alongside Nancy’s persistence with sculpture across many moves and family changes, the evocative text balances their artistic pursuits until they are brought together to bring the ducks to Boston Public Garden. Told in poetic prose with illustrations that feel transported through time, this is the sort of picture-book biography that may appeal more to adult readers who loved Make Way for Ducklings. Children familiar with McCloskey or Boston, or those who enjoy biographies of artists, will likely be the most excited by this. Despite the question of audience, the well-executed, full-page illustrations rendered in a vintage style are perfect for the period they depict. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2023 Gr 1–4—This is the true-life story of Robert McCloskey of Make Way For Ducklings and Nancy Schön's subsequent creation of bronze duck sculptures that honors both artists' path while explaining the fame of their webbed creations. Young McCloskey and Schön's stories are told alternately to show how each individual interacted with their worlds as children and found their way to their own artistry. As the tales unfold, both are faced with doubts and roadblocks that threaten their beliefs in their own talents. It is near the end of this story that Schön and McCloskey work together; the back matter of the book provides additional information that explains the popularity of the ducklings at the heart of the story. At times the switches between narratives aren't smooth, but the connections are aided by the illustrations and imagery. As a nod to the original picture book, Keane uses sepia tones contrasted with digitally rendered "crayon" with an emphasis on the expressive faces of every character and animal. The addition of more vibrant colors, such as bright blue, gives this retelling a very modern feel. Use this with the original book, perhaps with older audiences who will follow the dual narrative and the transitions. VERDICT A visually appealing and well-researched addition to biographical narratives, for use with the original Make Way for Ducklings or with the recent picture book biography Mr. McCloskey's Marvelous Mallards by Emma Bland Smith.—Danielle Schwessinger - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.