Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 09/01/2023 *Starred Review* Watkins turns his zany energy up to 11 in this tale of bedtime mayhem. Deploying his squat art style, he zooms in on three cube-shaped, shifty-eyed kids tucked into bed as they announce that they’re Go-Go Guys, whose restless brains never sleep. Instead, they GO! Bouncing from under the covers, they decry the practices of counting sheep and stars, wanting instead to be vrooming. And those unenumerated sheep? They helpfully drive in with a wrecking ball that smashes the house and kids into space, where the children cavort on the moon until even it has enough of their antics and sends them home. Watkins opts for panel art in this book, and it cleverly allows him to keep up with the kids’ hyperactivity and busy brains. Dynamic scenes tap into the kids’ imaginations and make for a rollicking journey among the stars. Aside from the occasional sound effect, the text appears exclusively as speech-bubble dialogue, and its simple, repetitive, and playful nature will entertain prereaders in addition to serving those beginning to read on their own. This wild read certainly won’t soothe little ones to sleep, but they’ll have a blast go-go-going with these irrepressible tots. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2023 Gr 1–2—Three mischievous, rambunctious, and utterly outrageous little ones lay in bed and declare that they are the "Go-Go Guys" with Go-Go and that they never sleep. They aren't interested in counting sheep and would rather race around in cars or even UFOs; since this isn't possible from their bedroom, they need to escape. Fortunately, a huge wrecking ball (driven by the sheep they aren't interested in counting) comes crashing down on their home and sends them into outer space. The Go-Go guys are elated! They end up on the moon and drive around on various and colorful contraptions. All is wonderful until the moon itself commands them to stop and orders them to blast back to bed. The Go-Go guys return home but promise that next time they are going to Mars. A zany sense of humor permeates this book, giving the cast wonderful energy and spirit. The panel format offers a comic-book vibe that will appeal to young readers. The rhyming text, sound effects, and delightful illustrations make this a shoe-in for a high-octane story hour. VERDICT Highly recommended for purchase.—Amy Nolan - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.