Bound To Stay Bound

Bulletin for the Center... - 02/01/2012 In this companion book to Spoon, Rosenthal outlines the amusing activities of a pair of chopsticks who are not only working partners but also BFFs. Then the tip of one chopstick is broken in an unfortunate encounter with an asparagus spear, and after getting medical attention (the glue bottle mends him and wraps the “wound” with a bandage) the injured chopstick must “stay off it until it sets.” At first, the non-injured chopstick stays close by his friend’s side, but the injured one finally tells him, “You need to get out . . . venture off on your own a bit.” The chopsticks discover that time away from each other can also be a good thing: “Unexpectedly, being apart had made each of them even stronger.” Rosenthal’s message about friendship isn’t exactly subtle, but it also isn’t preachy, and the kitchenware antics keep the mood light and humorous. Multiple textual and visual puns (“Chopstick was quickly whisked away” is accompanied by a picture of the injured chopstick being carried off by a whisk with a first aid cross-emblazoned handle) will also tickle kids’ funny bones, as will the slew of pop-eyed, anthropomorphized utensils. The slightly muted colors of Magoon’s gently goofy digital art are well matched to the amusing yet thoughtful tone of the text. While Spoon would be the obvious partner to this title, it also might buddy up well with the comical and equally anthropomorphic characters of Grey’s Traction Man Is Here (BCCB 5/05), or it could be used as a springboard for creative writing, art, or puppet performances involving kitchen utensils and googly eyes. JH - Copyright 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Booklist - 02/01/2012 In this sorta sequel to Spoon (2009)—“More like a change in place setting,” Spoon quips on the cover—best friends Chopsticks have their longtime act literally broken up when a high-flying attempt to stab an asparagus leads to a broken tip. After one stick is whisked away (by a whisk) for repairs, the other must learn to do stuff on his own: skewer, vault, play pick-up sticks, and more. There are gags aplenty (the hospital is run by a box of bandages and a bottle of glue), and Magoon’s droll, adorable artwork finishes off this ode to “standing on our own . . . and to sticking together!” - Copyright 2012 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 02/01/2012 K-Gr 2—Chopsticks, the "cool and exotic" duo first introduced in Spoon (Albert Whitman, 2010), have always done everything together, from playing hide-and-seek behind the broccoli to twirling spaghetti. However, when they experiment with karate chopping the asparagus, disaster strikes. While the broken one rests, allowing the glue to set, his partner never leaves his side. After a week passes, however, the injured chopstick insists that his friend venture out on his own. Reluctant at first, protesting that he can't possibly do anything by himself, the chopstick eventually discovers that he can indeed function independently, and when his friend has recuperated, they discover new things together. This sweet story of friendship features a lot of droll wordplay. For example, when Chopstick needs to be whisked away for medical attention, it is the whisk that does the whisking. Magoon's expressive, digitally rendered cartoons are the perfect complement to this quirky tale. Not an essential purchase, but great fun.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ - Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.