Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2018 PreS-Gr 1—On a beautiful fall day, Lula and her father go out into the yard to rake up the leaves. It is a lot of work, so Daddy suggests that they invite Akaraka, Lula's imaginary friend, to help. This idea tickles the child and she is amused as Daddy thinks he sees Akaraka in the leaves and the clouds. When the job is done and there is a nice large pile of red and gold leaves, Daddy and Lula invite Akaraka in for a family lunch with Mama. Beautifully told and exquisitely illustrated in black ink and watercolors, this is a tender love story between a father and his daughter. The text is simple and conversational. VERDICT A sweet seasonal selection best shared one-on-one to pore over the delightful artwork.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 10/15/2018 On a breezy fall day, Lula is helping her father rake leaves. Around them the sky swirls hypnotically in washes of cobalt and white watercolor. Grass bends in the wind, and leaves flutter up and about. It is just Lula and her pop spending time together. Or is it? Raking leaves in such a wind is hard work for two, but not for three, Pop insists, as Akaraka is helping. Lula is amused, for Akaraka is her imaginary friend—she can't sweep! And with those words, leaves rise up, puddles flow together, and clouds gather to form the shape of a girl in the air. She's there. The gentle banter between father and daughter continues as the pair goes inside, and Mama sets out a snack for Lula and Akaraka. Jackson's author bio reveals that akaraka is a word in Nigeria's Igbo language entwined with the idea of destiny. This added layer of meaning blankets the tender, intimate family story, suitable for bedtime, when children both real and imaginary are tucked in and kissed good night. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.