Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 07/01/2022 *Starred Review* This wonderful book about love, loss, and reunion follows developments within a mixed-race military family. Written in lilting rhyme, it opens with the parents giving their toddler daughter a puppy. Adorable vignettes show the passage of time as the girl and her dog grow together. Then, as is common in military life, the family must suddenly relocate and is unable to take the dog with them. After many tears and hugs, the beloved pup is dropped off with an organization called “Pet Care for Serving Soldiers.” Years go by, but, finally, the girl is reunited with her dog, their love as strong as ever. Soft, luminous digital illustration give off a rainbow of color, whose dominant tones reflect the mood of the narrative. Whimsical, bright hues support the happiness and an upbeat tempo of the bulk of the story, but the strategic use of purple and blue pastels—and scenes framed by a sunset—convey the sadness pertaining to loss. The easy-to-read text is perfect for young readers who need a story that is accessible and repetitious, and the book’s creators do a terrific job of gently broaching the difficult topics of moving and giving up a pet. Teaching children how to live with loss is an important lesson, and this offering accomplishes this task exceptionally well. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.

Booklist - 07/01/2022 - Copyright 2022 Booklist.