Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 09/01/2022 *Starred Review* Almost 20 years after Willems introduced his very determined, resistant-to-reason Pigeon in the Caldecott Honor Book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (2003), a new vehicle holds an irresistible allure for Pigeon: a roller coaster that he imagines will be filled with beak-­breaking ascents and feather-ruffling loop-the-loops. Pigeon, red hearts surrounding him and feathers flying off him in his passion, tells readers that he’s been excited about roller coasters ever since he heard about them—10 minutes ago. He mentally rehearses every aspect of the ride, recognizing that there will be difficult parts, like standing in line, with two double-page spreads showing Pigeon’s vision of riding gloriously until he gets sick at the end of the ride (“ooohhhhh,” Pigeon imagines groaning while staggering off the ride). When Pigeon finally overcomes all obstacles and gets on that roller coaster, it moves in a very tame straight line with one tiny bump near the ride’s start, but Pigeon still loves it. Willems’ spare illustrations put the spotlight right where it belongs, on Pigeon’s incredibly expressive body language, flapping and flopping through the comic panels. Pigeon is one multifaceted bird, and this latest is one of the best in Willems’ flock of Pigeon adventures. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.