Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 08/01/2019 K-Gr 3—School would be infinitely more fun if it were designed by a kid. One day on the playground, a young boy tells his teacher his vision of a perfect school. In it, there are zooming pods to transport students from class to class, classrooms that open up to the sky, and a robo-chef who will make anything requested of it. While there are elements that support traditional learning, most features of this ideal school emphasize fun. Told in excellently structured rhyming couplets, this story has a Seussian feel, although the vocabulary is much more varied and advanced. Though there is a sizable amount of text on each page, its design keeps the flow of the book moving at a comfortable pace. The illustrations have a modern, digital feel, incorporating exaggerated rosy cheeks on the main characters. Bright colors make the pages visually appealing, and the detail invites readers to scrutinize each image. Reluctant readers will be especially intrigued by this book, as it is engaging on a variety of levels. Additionally, the vivid imagination of the main character will inspire readers to create utopian schools of their own. VERDICT This book is an auditory treat to share with early elementary aged readers in a read-aloud setting.—Mary Lanni, formerly of Denver Public Library - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2019 While Jack enjoys the swing set at recess, he looks at his school, fires up his imagination, and tells his teacher about the visionary design and kid-pleasing features of his dream school. The lobby features puppies and large zoo animals too. Each classroom, complete with gliding hover-desks and retractable glass roof petals, will perch upon a stalk-like tower. In the lunchroom, a 20-foot robo-chef will prepare the food, “and Pete can make anything, simple or weird—from PB & jelly to squid, lightly seared.” The gym includes submarine bikes, a trampoline basketball court, and skydiving wind tunnels. Written in rhymed couplets, the workmanlike text seems inspired by Dr. Seuss’s flights of fancy, such as If I Ran the Zoo. According to the book-jacket note, Van Dusen’s “vision of the future” was inspired by Popular Science magazine, and the fluid, cheerful gouache illustrations do have a certain mid-century vibe. From the series that began with If I Built a Car (2005), this picture book will amuse children while possibly inspiring a new generation of daydreamers. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.