Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2025 Toddler-Gr 2—Toro's picture book, featuring a crocodile, imparts the message that looks can be deceiving. Crocodile longs to make friends with the monkeys, giraffes, and other animals living in the African savannah—but any time they see him coming, they run away, leaving him sad and lonely. No one seems to recognize that he is not like other crocodiles; he is sensitive and creative. Even though his parents tell him his attempts at making friends are pointless, he is certain that he could succeed if the others would only get to know him beyond his rough crocodile exterior. On every page, the animals are captivating, expressing emotions through their facial expressions and body language. The African savannah comes alive through mixed media watercolor and ink images of vivid pinks, blues, and muted pastels. VERDICT This meaningful story is appropriate for young readers collections where lessons in acceptance and tolerance are desired.—Misty Schattle - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Other - 05/05/2025 The narrating protagonist of this energetic picture book is a generous young crocodile with prodigious talents in crafts, performance, and more. So why can’t this multi-hyphenate reptile make any friends? The croc is trying to befriend their natural prey. Toro makes the protag enormously sweet and sympathetic: "It can be very lonely when the world doesn’t see who you are deep down," they sigh, a relatable emotional truth that hits especially hard when even their own family proves dismissive ("Who cares what those other animals think? They’re food," the young croc’s mother replies). But when a fire drives all the animals to the water’s edge, the eager croc seizes the moment, building a bridge to an island refuge and throwing a joyous party where no one is on the menu. Authenticity and connection can often seem at odds even without food-chain dynamics at play, but these pages reconcile the concepts via an abundance of empathy and comedy, all portrayed in thick-lined cartooning that favors blues, greens, and purples. Ages 4-8. (May) - Copyright 2025