Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 11/01/2022 One morning, Grandpa walks into Finn’s room and finds the child sitting beneath a quilt and in a terrible mood. When they go for a walk together, Finn insists on staying under the quilt. Grandpa says, “I’ll remember to think of what’s beneath.” The concept of thinking about what lies below the surface becomes the theme of his observations and gently delivered advice. Sometimes you know what’s beneath (the roots of trees), but other times, you can only guess. With people, “Beneath appearances are experiences.” And sometimes, “Beneath someone who looks like they won’t understand . . . is someone who knows exactly how you feel.” Gradually, Finn emerges from the quilt and the unspoken emotional burden. There’s plenty here to discuss on various levels, from the visual clues suggesting a reason for Finn’s gloom to the idea that people’s actions reflect experiences that others can’t see, but even young children can relate to Finn waking up in a bad mood and slowly recovering. The inviting digital art works seamlessly with the well-worded text in this original picture book. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.

Booklist - 11/01/2022 One morning, Grandpa walks into Finn’s room and finds the child sitting beneath a quilt and in a terrible mood. When they go for a walk together, Finn insists on staying under the quilt. Grandpa says, “I’ll remember to think of what’s beneath.” The concept of thinking about what lies below the surface becomes the theme of his observations and gently delivered advice. Sometimes you know what’s beneath (the roots of trees), but other times, you can only guess. With people, “Beneath appearances are experiences.” And sometimes, “Beneath someone who looks like they won’t understand . . . is someone who knows exactly how you feel.” Gradually, Finn emerges from the quilt and the unspoken emotional burden. There’s plenty here to discuss on various levels, from the visual clues suggesting a reason for Finn’s gloom to the idea that people’s actions reflect experiences that others can’t see, but even young children can relate to Finn waking up in a bad mood and slowly recovering. The inviting digital art works seamlessly with the well-worded text in this original picture book. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/17/2023 K-Gr 4—"Don't worry," said Grandpa. "I'll remember to think of what's beneath." Doerrfeld's impeccably layered story shares the beauty of the world and the need to explore emotions. The story of a grandpa and his unhappy, quilt-hidden grandchild, Finn, unfolds gradually. Opening with the grandpa's adage to "think of what's beneath," it begins by looking closely at nature. Grandpa convinces Finn (they are both cued white) to go for a walk and the world peels back, revealing subterranean wonders of oceans and forests, splashes of detailed color in flora and wildlife. It goes further, investigating the people who are surrounding the pair. Thought bubbles cut into the histories, desires, and hopes these folks carry around. Finally, after the examination of the world and the other people, the inspection beneath focuses on the characters themselves, sharing the heartbreaking motivation behind this walk. Grandpa and Finn commiserate, sharing their feelings and even the quilt as they take this understanding and use it toward a better world. The illustrations are even richer on the second read. VERDICT Artistically and emotionally compelling, this book shows how consideration of others can lead to peace within ourselves. A book for a wide range of readers, brisk enough for the very young and affecting enough for older ones.—Cat McCarrey - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.