Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 08/01/2018 PreS-Gr 1–Farmer Brown and his barnyard companions are back in the latest addition to the much-loved series. This time around, Farmer Brown and the animals are invited to Farm Day Lunch at Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Farmer Brown can't wait, and sets off to prepare the cows, chickens, and pigs, all of whom are excited because they've never been to school. Farmer Brown, however, makes sure they all know that school is very quiet, serious, and calm, and that there is to be no stomping, clomping, or mooing; no snapping, clapping, or clucking; and no hooting, hollering, or oinking. To Duck, whom he finds meditating, Farmer Brown admonishes, '"And try not to be so Duck-y.'" On the day of their visit, everyone piles silently into Farmer Brown's truck and waits quietly in the school yard upon arriving. When the bell rings for recess, the children spill onto the playground in a riot of sound and activity, and the animals all join in the fun—except for the mice, who "read graphic novels in the shade." As in previous entries in the series, Cronin's simple text and repeated refrains invite readers to participate in the story, and Lewin's watercolor illustrations are as expressive and amusing as ever. VERDICT A breezy back-to-school offering, this title will be welcome where other books in the series are popular.—Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Elkins Park, PA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.