Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/15/2021 Poor Rabbit! Despite his best efforts to be cantankerous, he’s either distracted or outmaneuvered at every turn. Invariably shouting “NO!” as his offstage mother tells him to get dressed, to have breakfast, to go outside to play, and then to come in and have a bath, Rabbit discovers first that his favorite top and pants have been laid out, then that yummy carrots have been set on the table, and finally that a tub has been irresistibly prepared with bubbles and rubber ducky. When it’s time to come out (“NO!”) for cuddles, the chorus changes to “YES!” before reverting at “Off to bed” to “NO, no, no, no . . . zzzzzzz.” This spell of negativity will certainly strike chords of familiarity in parents and younger children. More, even not-so-young audiences will delightedly join in the loud chorus—and also enjoy Henrichs' scribbly cartoon illustrations as the bumptious bunny puts on his clothes all by himself (after a few tries), sneaks a cookie to follow up the carrots, and scowls in dirty defiance before coming in for the cozy nighttime ritual. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.