Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/24/2024 Gr 1–2—In this humorous if choppy original tale, a giant blue monster heads off to fulfill the villagers' request to "do something" about the monster they always talk about, only to unexpectedly find new friends on a journey that brings him right back where he started. A strong reading voice is needed to grasp or orally express the full scope of this story's comedic timing, to accurately reflect the pauses revealed through ellipses and to distinguish the dialogue shared through numerous speech bubbles, as well as the blue monster's "uh" moments as he tries to make sense of what his new acquaintances wish for. As a quirky twist, "reading" the content that is quietly revealed through the colorful, playful digital illustrations proves as revelatory to readers' understanding of the plot development as the text, as they include a captivating mix of subtle and blatant elements, similar to an animation. The conclusion of this lighthearted story may prove mystifying to young readers, though the substantial dynamic between the illustrations and text will encourage a lively debate about the blue monster's character compared to those he meets on his quest to right a wrong that was never wrong to begin with. VERDICT Though grounded by a shaky resolution, this story invites an enjoyable read-aloud experience that can include multiple voices who can deliver the entertaining lines of dialogue between fantasy characters and a curious blue monster.—Rachel Mulligan - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.