Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 07/01/2017 An intense orange cover suggests a Halloween surprise, as a smiling black kitty, limned in a shiny black patent leather–like surface, perches on the head of a distinctly disgruntled white ghost. The timorous ghost encourages the reader to go into the scary dark woods without him. Triangle-shaped trees surround a mysterious hole, but surprise! What comes out is just a smiling bunny accompanied by flowers. Not so scary after all. The emoji-like bunny hops along, joined by some jolly animal companions carrying a “Spooky Party” invitation. The cat and ghost want to go to the party but are frightened by the party goers’ Halloween costumes—until the masks come off. The illustrations are distinctive Shea—simple graphics popping explosively with vivid colors and filled with unique, blocky cartoon characters happily enjoying themselves against full-color backgrounds. A companion piece to Shea’s The Happiest Book Ever (2016), it’s fun, not scary, and a comfortable Halloween story about what is really in the dark, scary woods. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Shea’s always a best-seller, and a companion to an already popular book is sure to be snapped up immediately. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2017 K-Gr 2—Silliness abounds in Shea's latest work. The narrator, a small ghost, doesn't want readers to go into the scary woods, because it is full of frightening things. He'd rather stay home and wash his sheet and eat doughnuts. He's skeptical when he hears about a cute bunny, cupcakes, and Halloween party but agrees to go into the woods to save readers from the super scary monsters. When he goes into the woods he is frightened away by the monsters, but then learns that it is just the animals in costume. He enjoys the joke, the party, and the cupcakes. The book is full of funny artwork with bright colors and comic characters. Children will get a laugh at the ghost's belly full of doughnuts. The realization that the ghost is essentially naked after taking off his sheet to wash will also amuse young readers. VERDICT A hilarious book that will keep the giggles coming, this will be a hit for Halloween read-alouds.—V. Lynn Christiansen, Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.