Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2016 PreS-Gr 2—The day-to-day activities that make the world go round may be "wallpaper" for adults, but they hold a world of wonder for children. Using rhyming couplets, Silverman brings readers along on a walk to school that begins before first light, the quiet of a sleeping cat and empty park benches giving way to the bustle of a day in the city. Holding hands with her father, the young protagonist looks everywhere and sees everything. Garbage trucks and street sweepers, the pretzel cart, and the juxtaposition of a busy gym and a dark toy store are seen through fresh eyes. By the time the girl arrives at school, her curiosity has been awakened and she's ready to learn. Fournier's soft-focus digital images are well matched to the story's gentle rhythm. Useful on many levels, this title will awaken the curiosity of children who see morning mostly through the back window of a car and those lucky enough to make similar trips of their own. VERDICT Silverman's simple rhymes include enough onomatopoeia, imagery, metaphor, and rhythm variance for a primary grade poetry lesson and are entertaining enough for a fun independent read. A sweet, recommended title.—Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence, RI - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 07/01/2016 A girl and her father leave home before daybreak to walk down their dimly lit sidewalk, through a nearby park, and toward bigger buildings. Then, “like a curtain rising, darkness lifts,” and sunlight changes the city as the day begins. As the father and daughter walk on, more people appear around them, a diverse population of dog-walkers, construction workers, storekeepers, gardeners, exercisers, truck drivers, cyclists, and students, all starting the day in their individual ways. Silverman records the scenes in rhymed couplets: “Store gates roll up. Clatter! Clang! / Van doors open with a bang. / Out come apples, yams, and beets, / and trays of doughnuts that smell so sweet!” A French illustrator, Fournier creates appealing cityscapes that feature clean lines of streets and buildings in scenes that gradually, subtly brighten as the sun rises. The compositions are varied, and the use of color is pleasing. A straightforward but evocative introduction to morning in the city. - Copyright 2016 Booklist.