Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/20/2024 Gr 1–3—Tumblebaby isn't fenced in by a crib or closed doors. They are free to tumble about the house and right out the front door. Mama says, "everybody's got to make their own way in life," and Tumblebaby does that in spades. A whimsical and humorous tall tale about a free-spirited baby who rolls out into the world, outwitting kidnappers, leading coyotes, and even winning Olympic gold, all before returning home. With wild adventures and vibrant illustrations, this fast-paced story captures the chaotic joy of childhood exploration and independence. Rex's clever use of language and rhyming plot summaries adds to the fun, though some words and even some ideas will certainly need explaining. In the meantime, the illustrations double down on the story's energy. Weber's illustrations are a riot of color, movement, and storytelling that are true to the text and the Tumblebaby ethos. VERDICT A quirky, imaginative tall tale for adventurous young readers unafraid of stretching their vocabularies, this is recommended as an additional purchase for the humor section.—Catherine Callegari - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.