Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/01/2021 A cheerful bear enjoys the seasons, accompanied by the smile displayed on his joyful face. Together, Bear and Smile share everything: they snack on forest foods, zip down waterfalls, walk in the forest, explore caves, and swim in icy water (Smile takes awhile to catch up after this last one, its teeth clenched in shivering agony). But one morning, Smile is absent. The vivid colors of each spread are gone, replaced with blue and gray, and the woods are dismal and empty. Then a cheerful red bird comes along and sings, causing Bear to hum along. As leaves swirl, their duet rises and rises into the sky until, finally, Smile arrives! The lively cameos and half- and full-page spreads illustrated in watercolor, gouache, and acrylic mirror the story’s arc from sunny, upbeat activities to overcast and dark pictures as Bear seeks his lost companion. For children who experience the occasional gloomy day, this story will coax a smile to banish melancholy. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.