Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2022 PreS-Gr 1—Sparse poetic text celebrates various changes and experiences throughout a year in this engaging, multicultural Rosh Hashanah book. The book starts with the question, "How do you measure a year?" It continues with, "By looking at how much you grew…or all the things you learned to do?" It proceeds in that vein, mentioning everything from making mistakes, to being brave, to having fun, to moving away. It culminates with, "Our lives have changed in many ways," and ends with thanks and celebration for the new year. The watercolor, colored pencil, and digital artwork portrays a diverse cast of children experiencing a variety of memorable moments throughout the year. These include sleeping in a sukkah, celebrating Purim, learning to tie shoes or ride a bike, planting a tree, getting a shot, or attending a wedding or bar mitzvah. The illustrations have a softness to them, depicting children who are portrayed in an engaging, slightly childlike style, with round eyes and faces. Different members of the cast appear on different pages, experiencing the various events of the text; all of the main players, including one girl in a wheelchair, return on the final spread. Hoang alternates between spreads and single-page scenes, with occasional spot art to move the story along. The book concludes with back matter that engagingly restates the question of the text and talks briefly about Rosh Hashanah. VERDICT This sweet, accessible book would be a lovely Rosh Hashanah addition to any library collection.—Amy Lilien-Harper - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/15/2022 Poetically spare, conversational text commemorates Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by encouraging readers to consider, “How do you measure a year?” The many means of measurement posited include physical (“By looking at how much you grew”), intellectual (“All the things you learned to do”), and social (“Kids you met”) growth. In a year, some children might move away and travel “to a brand-new home,” and others might journey far emotionally by acknowledging and atoning for regrets and mistakes. Hoang’s warm and friendly colored pencil, watercolor, and digital cartoons have the inviting appeal of a scrapbook album, with detailed scenes full of relatable experiences, from learning to tie shoelaces to attending special community events like a wedding or bar mitzvah. Back matter offers cultural context and additional prompts for personal reflection. Providing a thoughtful rumination on the passage of time, as well as information about Jewish holidays, this picture book measures up on many levels. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.