Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/01/2023 Gr 1–4—Written in beautiful lyrical poetry, award-winning author Bauer presents a tale of human endeavor and history. This picture book tells the story of how the curiosity, questioning, and struggle of human beings has led to discovery and change. She begins with, "Birds sing. Bees dance. Wolves howl, ‘I am here! I am here!' But we are the ones who tell stories." These wonderful words are aptly paired with shimmering colors and intricate cut-paper artwork. This thought-provoking book takes readers on the journey from early mythology to modern science and ponders the symbiotic relationship between science and story. The poems come full circle, ending with, "Dogs bow. Prairie dogs kiss. Fireflies flash, ‘Come to Me! Come to Me!' Trees talk to one another underground. And we, the curious ones, the ones who discover, tell stories." When shared with young readers, these poems will spark discussion about the power of story and our part in the universe. Students will be encouraged to look at stories with new eyes, ask questions, and engage in thoughtful discussion that promotes higher level thinking skills. Somewhat reminiscent of the questioning response evoked in Oliver Jeffers's Here We Are, Jon J Muth's The Three Questions, and Kobi Yamada's Noticing, this work might also be paired with Rebecca Lewis-Oakes's STEAM title Mythical Science. A comprehensive afterword explores how early folktales described the universe and more. VERDICT A book of poems that asks philosophical questions to provoke thought, encourage curiosity, and inspire young readers with a new appreciation and understanding about the world around them.—Carole Phillips - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 10/01/2023 In this companion to her Coretta Scott King Award–winning The Stuff of Stars (2018), Bauer considers the intersection of science and story. Lyrical free verse begins with ancient peoples and the stories they told, such as a flat world built on the back of a turtle, to explain the astrophysics of Earth. The cerebral, deceptively simple picture book for readers of all ages continues with beliefs about the earth, the sun, and the expanding universe; how these beliefs evolved over time; and how people continue to question them. Despite the seemingly empty darkness of our vast universe, there is still mystery, and the author asks in conclusion, “What will you discover? What stories will you tell?” Illustrators Hari & Deepti depict this wonder through the ages in luminous, layered scenes of human silhouettes observing changing skies. Their ethereal illustrations were rendered from backlit paper dioramas that were hand cut and painted. An afterword offers a brief history of early non-Western civilizations and influential scientists who shaped what we know about the universe today. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.