Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/01/2023 K-Gr 2—A whimsical picture book that embarks on a journey of imagination. The story follows a child's imaginative transformation into a horse, where they envision all the possibilities being a horse would bring. The lyrical text is deceptively simple. While it seems to just be about being a horse, the story really opens the readers' minds to all the wonders of their imagination. Blackall's expressive art is the real star of the book. The mixed-media illustrations infuse the text with a sense of play and wonder. VERDICT A wonderful reminder of the power of imagination and a launching point for story hour discussions.—V. Lynn Christiansen - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/08/2023 *Starred Review* In this fanciful picture-book frolic, a child imagines what their daily life would be like as a horse. Simply stated declarative sentences are delivered with aplomb: “If I was a horse, I would gallop all day. I could go anywhere I want, and I’d come home when I was hungry.” Full of deadpan comedic flair, two-time Caldecott medalist Blackall’s resplendent watercolor, gouache, pencil, fabric, and wallpaper illustrations showcase a majestic spotted steed gigantically smack dab in the middle of familial domestic scenes, like eating a lunch of sandwiches and carrots at the kitchen table and sleeping standing up on top of a twin bed where pony stickers decorate the headboard. The humorous incongruity continues as the narrator gives their sister a bareback ride to school and impresses the swim team by leaps and bounds in the pool. After horsing around in the rain and tracking muddy shoe prints into the house, the child declares, “Nobody could make me take a bath.” Living the dream, with high-hoofing defiance, they also say nay to wearing clothes, unless in a parade. Charming and whimsical visual surprises are found throughout the impeccably designed pages, from decorative floral endpapers to the sparkly tutu and party hat on the cover. An exquisite equine fantasy, this encourages imaginations to giddyup and run wild and free. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.