Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 08/01/2015 Out of a (probably magical) box stashed in his (probably gadget-filled) office comes this posthumous offering from the mighty Mr. Geisel. Sharp-eyed readers will note the brother and sister pet hunting here are the same duo seen in One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (1960). This story is more plot-driven, with the kids eager to choose a pet, but they must do it by noon and only pick one. At first, the choice looks simple: a dog or a cat, right? But parrots are nice, and so are rabbits. And what about fish? When the children start thinking about “a new kind of pet” (one with stiltlike legs and a bush of red hair), it seems likely they will leave empty-handed. But the good doctor offers a perfect ending: the children exit with a cardboard box, only the pet’s eyes visible. Readers can choose! The amusing, mostly rhyming text doesn’t scan as well as Dr. Seuss’ best, and the full-color art sometimes feels minimal, but there remain plenty of pleasing moments. An eight-page author’s note discusses the story’s origins and reminds kids that it’s better to rescue a pet than get one at a shop. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: New books by beloved authors, dead or alive, get attention. For adults, the most fascinating aspect will be the author’s note: how many decisions need to be made to get a 55-year-old manuscript ready for publication! - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2015 PreS-Gr 2—More than 20 years after Theodor Geisel's death, a newly unearthed Dr. Seuss book hits the shelves. Discovered in 2013 by Geisel's widow and his assistant, the completed manuscript and accompanying sketches were found in a box containing some of the legendary picture book creator's doodles and notes. Written sometime in the late 1950s or early 1960s, the tale very much reflects the culture of its time: two white siblings go to a pet store and struggle to answer the titular question. The children encounter a menagerie of real and fantastically Seussical animals. The pair bound exuberantly through each spread as they debate the merits of each creature. The rhyme scheme bounces along merrily for the most part, with the exception of a verse concerning a "yent" in a "tent," where the pattern shifts awkwardly, though it picks up steam again with the next page turn. While there is no visual adult presence in this book, readers learn that "Dad said we could have one./Dad said he would pay" and that Mother would not like a "thing on a string" that "would bump, bump into the wall!" A repeated spread depicts four potential pets holding up a banner that reads, "MAKE UP YOUR MIND." There's an ambiguous ending, and readers are left to wonder what pet the siblings finally bring home. Though the discovered manuscript included only black-and-white sketches, this finished work features the deep aqua, sunshine yellow, and vibrant red that were hallmarks of Seuss illustrations of the time period. Random House's Cathy Goldsmith, who was the designer and art director for many of Geisel's titles, worked to capture just the right palette; the good doctor would have been pleased. A note from the publisher reveals a bit of the anxiety associated with publishing a text written more than 50 years ago, "when it was common for people to simply buy dogs, cats, and other animals at pet stores. Today animal advocates encourage us to adopt…." Additional back matter includes anecdotes about a young Ted Geisel and his love of dogs, candid photos, and the story behind the discovery of this volume. VERDICT More nostalgia-inducing than groundbreaking, this picture book offers Seuss fans many familiar touchstones: jaunty rhymes, nonsense words, and the signature artwork beloved by generations of new and emerging readers.—Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.