Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/15/2023 *Starred Review* Babies make family gatherings fun, and the little girl in Reich’s day-in-the-life tale is no exception. Presented in an upbeat rhyming text, the child’s high jinks and her family’s attention and playfulness create a happy, festive environment. Dinner with the extended family includes Mommy, Papi, Grandma, Grandpa, Tío, Tía, a sister, and more. A young brother or cousin appears to giggle at all the mischief created by the little one, and the entire group is indulgent of the baby's antics, from throwing food on the floor to spilling coffee on her grandmother’s dress. A refrain appears throughout the story: “Baby, baby, pass the baby! Baby wants a little bite. Pass the baby round the table, filled with faces shining bright.” Though a couple of illustrations show a bit of consternation on family members’ faces at the constant activity, there are no reprimands, just acceptance of the mess a youngster can make. The feast is as varied as the family members, including guacamole, ravioli, enchiladas, meatballs, peanut pie, and cheesecake. As usual, the adults collapse after their delicious meal but the energy of the two youngest family members continues the fun. Adults will recognize the scenario while children delight in the baby’s (mis)behavior. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 11/01/2023 PreS-Gr 2—Family dinner is about to start, and it's time to set the table. Family members are all doing their part, putting out their special dishes. At the center of it all is the baby. She wants to sit on someone's lap, but be careful of her kicking feet. Everyone digs into their meal as the baby plays with a meatball and makes a mess. The family members pass the baby around so she can get a little taste of everything. The family dog stays underfoot, lapping up whatever the baby drops onto the floor. Soon it's time to clean up and get ready for bed, but instead of the baby, the rest of the family has fallen asleep. Pass the Baby is a celebration of family and food, with one rambunctious family member. Readers will want to eat up the incredible food gracing the pages. Rhyming short lines of text make for an engaging read. The unique artwork for this book was created with watercolors, colored pencils, and crayons, rendering vibrant and realistic scenes of family life. Members of the family have diverse skin tones and hair textures. VERDICT This celebration of family togetherness and food is an excellent addition to any collection.—Myiesha Speight - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.