Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 12/01/2020 PreS-K—Busy little warthog Albie seems to be the only youngster on the savanna who doesn't want the day to end. "Sniffling and snuffling," he pointedly ignores his mother's call and the changing light that signals a sinking sun. "Skippety trot trit trot," he quickly leaves. "I don't want to go to bed yet," he says and dashes off through swishy grass to find friends. The cheetah family pauses their bedtime story as he greets them, the elephants are happily in the midst of their nightly showers, and meerkats sleepily respond, but Albie still refuses to return before "rustlings and scratchings" of the approaching night remind him that he is alone and away from home. Illustrations in watercolor and pencil feature animal species commonly found in the grasslands of southern Africa in anthropomorphic activities. Albie's widened cartoon eyes express his delight in freedom before others guide him back to his own family at bedtime. A suggested general purchase for libraries, this title emphasizes simple, loving relationships and daily routines in family life. VERDICT A gentle fantasy, this has most appeal for young children who understand the pain of playtime ending. Older readers might cop to the fact that the cheetahs in this particular habitat are dangerous to a young warthog.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano I.S.D., TX - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 12/01/2020 As the sun sinks over the savanna, Mommy warthog calls her son, Albie, to bed, prompting him to dash off—skippety trot trit trot—in search of a playmate. But the cheetahs are already enjoying a bedtime story, the elephants are taking an evening shower, and the meerkats are almost asleep. Undeterred, he trots off to play by himself; eventually he tires out, accepts a ride home from the hippos, and enjoys the gloopy, splashy mud-bath party Mommy has prepared. Ambrose's soothing text speaks knowingly of toddler sleep aversion as well as Mommy's wise decision not to fight about it. Her watercolor-and-pencil illustrations echo the storyline's gentle demeanor. Albie's bucolic savanna is filled with smiling creatures, pastel butterflies, and no threat of predation. Earth tones predominate, accented in blues and purples as the night progresses. Particularly appealing are the spreads at the end where Albie and all his friends enjoy splashing in the moonlit mud. While probably not a cure for toddler insomnia, this makes a great choice when little ones are winding down. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.