Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 02/15/2018 This picture book about a diverse team of kids traveling in a rocket ship to Mars has arresting illustrations and a wealth of information. Its subtitle bills it as “a space-age version of ‘The Farmer in the Dell,’” and the main text follows the old rhyme’s pattern and cadence, albeit awkwardly at times. For example, a spread devoted to bathing in space proclaims, “I squirt myself clean.” This makes reading aloud a particular challenge, as does a zero-gravity-inspired layout that requires the book to be regularly rotated. And a burning question posed by the kids—“How long till we get there?”—isn’t answered until the ending information page. What does come through are fascinating details about the stages of a journey to Mars, from launch through arrival and exploration, and what life is like on a rocket ship, all provided in bite-size, factual blurbs scattered throughout. The digital illustrations are gasp-inducing, and the contrast between the four children and the immensity of space is done beautifully. For space enthusiasts. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.