Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/01/2021 K-Gr 2—A winning follow-up to See the Cat, and a counterpoint of the previous title with three stories about Cat trying to take the role of Dog due to illness. Cat has his own take on some canine activities (for example, digging is not good for the nails or fur in Cat's opinion). Gouache illustrations capture the hilarity and readers will enjoy the three vignettes that provide a complete narrative arc of Cat's day subbing in for Dog. VERDICT Using simple language, humorous speech bubbles, and laugh-out loud funny illustrations LaRochelle has another winning early chapter book that readers will enjoy having read to them as well as conquering on their own.—John Scott, Friends Sch. of Baltimore - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2021 LaRochelle and Wohnoutka follow up last year’s Geisel Award winner, See the Cat (2020), with the two main characters in different roles. And once again, the lead player spars with the book itself. The illustration for “See the dog” depicts the blue cat with a speech balloon saying, “Hello!” Initially gleeful to take the starring role while the dog is sick, the cat becomes agitated when, as his stand-in, she’s expected to perform actions contrary to her feline nature. In chapter one, she must dig a hole in the dirt, a test she passes triumphantly (with help from a heavy-duty shovel truck). Next, she must swim across a lake to retrieve a stick. The final challenge, protecting a sheep from a wolf, is interrupted by the dog’s arrival, fully recovered and providing a happy ending for all. The seemingly straightforward text sets up the wonderfully comical gouache illustrations, and the contrast between words and pictures (the lake looks more like a puddle) is as amusing as the cat’s diva-like emotions. A well-designed, irresistibly funny sequel for beginning readers. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.