Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/01/2022 PreS-Gr 1—This book shares the foraging tradition of a young Tlingit girl and her grandmother living on an island off of the coast of Alaska. The grandmother teaches the young girl which berries to pick and how to say "Gunalchéesh," or give thanks. Told with rhythm to match the song, the duo sings as they pick berries ("Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry. Huckleberry, Soapberry, Strawberry, Crowberry"). The author captures rich language to mirror the beauty of nature. A note cautions young foragers to research and use adult supervision, while the back matter includes a glossary of information on which berries are safe to gather. These additions make this picture book perfect for cross-disciplinary learning with science or social studies. VERDICT Goade calls upon her childhood memories and current home and shares important information about the beauty and utility of nature. Told in rhythm, song, and narrative, the language is rich and evocative—perfect for early elementary readers.—Tracey S. Hodges - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2022 *Starred Review* A young Tlingit girl and her grandmother say thank you—Gunalchéesh!—as they forage the forest for wild berries on their island at the edge of a wide, wild sea in Alaska. Poetic text accompanies their berry song as they catalog the many berries, from the recognizable cranberry, blueberry, and raspberry to the less widely known chalkberry, salmonberry, and thimbleberry. The berries, glowing like little jewels, sing back to them. “We speak to the land as the land speaks to us.” The poetic, alliterative text reinforces the melody as they practice their tradition of living off the land. Lustrous deep-toned illustrations in watercolor and mixed media paint the beauty of the wilderness, populated with animals on land and sea. This symphony of song expresses the Tlingits’ spiritual connection and deep kinship with the land. Photographs and more information at the book’s end stress the importance of preserving and protecting our environment. The glowing pictures and supportive text encourage our stewardship of Mother Earth as Caldecott Medal winner Goade presents another important contribution to both environmental and cultural literature. Aided by endpapers written in both Tlingit and English, try challenging children to repeat the names of all those luscious and juicy fruits. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.