Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/01/2022 Gr 1–3—This look at Eleanor Roosevelt's formative years seeks out the moments that defined the woman to come. Losing her parents and brother at an early age and sent to live with a distant grandmother, Roosevelt found her purpose first at the Allenswood boarding school in England, where she ultimately found comfort and support and emerged as a compassionate, capable leader with a strong social conscience. Becker briefly touches on Roosevelt's childhood anxiety and sense of isolation, and how there was no affection from her grandmother. When Roosevelt attends school in England, Becker becomes more effusive, with flowing sentences to illustrate Roosevelt's own burgeoning personality: "She was no longer lonely. And for the first time in her life, she was not afraid." Mixed media illustrations speak to young Roosevelt's isolation, often putting her toward the front of the page and set apart; as she becomes more confident, she is pictured in groups of others, with attentive body language. Endpapers are blue on blue with silhouetted icons from Roosevelt's life. VERDICT So many biographies focus on Roosevelt's social activism and public service later in life; this work provides an origin point. A very good purchase for picture book biography collections.—Rosemary Kiladitis - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/01/2023 Most people remember Eleanor Roosevelt as a compassionate first lady and humanitarian. Accompanied by digitally enhanced, childlike illustrations, this picture book biography traces Roosevelt’s formative years and how they shaped the famous figure Americans recall today. Beginning with a near-fatal ocean liner accident that left young Eleanor anxious and frightened for years, the short text continues with more tragedy: the deaths of her mother, brother, and father in a two-year period and her new reality living with a cold, distant grandmother. The opportunity to attend a boarding school with an attentive headmistress, however, changed her life. Becker describes how this newfound care and independence influenced Eleanor as a young woman to look outward towards people in need of better health care, education, and living and working conditions. Despite the darkness in Roosevelt’s childhood, springtime colors prevail in Lewis’ simple, textured illustrations, which help keep the biography’s tone upbeat. A lengthy author’s note expands upon the text, offering more details about Eleanor’s sad early life and social justice service later. Interspersed inspirational quotes from Eleanor extend the theme. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.