Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 12/01/2020 *Starred Review* When an inquisitive, shy girl finds a treefrog in front of her new house, the quiet creature, “a tiny dollop of / frog / where before / there was only leaf,” becomes an emblem for the girl’s feelings over the course of the seasons as she faces a new school and misses an old friend. Looking for and wondering about the frog, meanwhile, becomes a grounding comfort for the girl: “I look / and breathe / and / settle / growing / calmer / steadier / a little less lonely.” As the seasons turn and the treefrog hibernates, the girl makes a friend as interested in quiet observation as she is, and they patiently wait for the return of spring when they can look for the amphibian again. In compelling contrast to Sidman's spare verses, Sudyka’s warm, detailed paintings, dense with overlapping wide green leaves and jostling oversize, boldly colored blooms, lovingly showcase lush natural areas, with lots of other wildlife tucked into the habitat. Unobtrusive text labels plants and animals, and, while stylized, the figures are realistic enough to identify individual species. A few lines of prose on each page spread offer additional facts about treefrogs, and back matter provides even more opportunities for learning. This artful picture book seamlessly blends science, poetry, and mindfulness, encouraging little ones to get outside, slow down, and look closely at what’s around them. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.