Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2018 PreS-K—Monkey Jim Panzee (the different-species name isn't explained) is feeling a bit off, and the other animals can tell. He says he's not grumpy, but they insist that he is, and everyone has an opinion on how to feel better, advice that will teach readers about animal characteristics along the way. "You should sing with us!," say the birds. "You should roll with us!," say the zebras. The peacocks suggest a stroll. It's not until Jim's friend Norman the gorilla empathizes and the buddies settle into the doldrums together that Jim can finally relax. They concur that "It's a wonderful day to be grumpy." Max Lang's bright watercolors of animals doing their thing are winning accompaniments to the narrative's welcome message that it's OK to be down sometimes. VERDICT A welcome companion to Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. A solid choice for picture book and SEL collections.—Henrietta Verma, Credo Reference, Jackson Heights, NY - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2018 According to this message-driven story, unpleasant feelings such as grouchiness are probably just temporary. One day, Jim Panzee the chimp doesn’t feel quite right, but when the other animals suggest that he is grumpy, he vehemently denies it. The others (mostly mainland African animals, plus a brown bear and a Madagascan lemur) encourage Jim to join in their happy activities—singing, swinging, rolling, swimming, and much more—until he loudly affirms that he is not grumpy and storms off. He later realizes he actually is grumpy, and after discussing the situation with his friend Norman the gorilla, who declares,“It’s a wonderful day to be grumpy,” Jim feels better. Crisp illustrations featuring a broad cast of animated, boldly colored animals against white backgrounds (except a bright red page when Jim really loses it) will draw readers into Jim’s situation until the reassuring outcome. Although their helpfulness is part of the problem, the animals are enthusiastic, kindhearted souls trying to be good friends. They provide the humor needed to counterbalance Jim’s foul mood. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.