Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 09/01/2022 *Starred Review* Mouse siblings Violet and Jobie have spent their entire lives in a comfortable human house, watching nature documentaries on television, enjoying plentiful snacks, and napping in cozy drawers. But when they’re finally outwitted by a clever trap, the mice find themselves unceremoniously dumped into the woods, and despite the human’s insistence that, as wild animals, they’ll be fine, the bewildered mice are less convinced. What does a house mouse know about surviving in the outdoors? Though there are plenty of missteps and close calls, the pair miraculously survive and then thrive in their new forest home, mainly due to a chance meeting with a seasoned wild mouse, Zolian, who welcomes them to the forest community and takes them under his wing—er, paw—and expands their world. The story is an absolute charmer, punctuated by adorable artwork and imbued with chatty, cozy camaraderie and frequent funny asides. Though the tale doesn’t shy away from the danger and occasional horror inherent in the natural world, it’s always done with a gentle touch and balanced out with moments of affection and wonder. “Life is terrifying and also lovely,” Zolian notes, and the story beautifully demonstrates this delicate balance in every aspect. A gem of a story that will leave readers eager to embrace a bigger life. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.