Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 08/01/2022 Alone in her small house, Badger stares out the window across an expanse of the ocean, sadly wishing for Bear. A beautifully composed spread captures the time difference. In the center of the page is a circle, one half the moon, the other the sun. In reflecting images, Badger goes to bed while Bear has breakfast. Although they talk on the phone, the distance is hard. Badger lashes out at the sea and, surprisingly, receives a reply: the sea says it will let Badger cross if she brings it a series of gifts. Seeking these gifts forces Badger to look more closely at her home and the potential beauty and friends around her. Sea-toned watercolor illustrations suit and expand the text perfectly, with important visual details adding to the wordplay. As Badger’s point of view changes, the sea that was an obstacle can also be seen as a connection to Bear. Few specifics about the relationship between the two make this thoughtful story applicable to any situation that forces loved ones to be separated. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.