Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2022 Gr 2–4—Island life in the northeastern United States can be colorless, as grays and whites cover not only the sky and sea but the animals, as well. Celia Thaxter grew up on just such an island, lamenting the limited color palette that surrounded her even while embracing the beauty and tumult of the sea. In response, Thaxter decided to craft a garden filled with vibrant and colorful flowers of many types to enhance the appearance of the island. And as her life took her to new places, she discovered ways to bring the beauty of her garden to paper through words and paint. This narrative biography introduces readers to a woman who was a renowned poet in her time. Rich paragraphs of text are used to tell her story, and these blocks often use repetition of color alongside specific references to myriad natural creatures. Snippets of Thaxter's poetry are placed alongside several of the images to enhance the text, and these words stand out dramatically from the others in both size and presentation. Paired with the softness of watercolor and pencil lines within each image, the words and illustrations together create a visual tapestry that connects readers to her colorful world. An author's note and time line of Thaxter's life help to round out the overall text and provide additional information for readers to peruse. VERDICT Elementary school-aged readers will enjoy learning about a colorful and creative woman through this work.—Mary R. Lanni - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/01/2022 As a young child in the mid-1800s, Celia was the lighthouse keeper’s daughter on a rocky island off the coast of Maine. Each spring, she planted a garden and enjoyed its colorful flowers. In winter, cold winds destroyed her garden, but each spring, she replanted. When she was 12, her family moved to a larger island, where her father built a hotel. She tended a larger garden there, when not greeting guests or making beds. Eventually, she married, becoming Celia Thaxter, and moved inland. While raising a family, she wrote poems and painted pictures, often inspired by her memories of the flowers, the ocean, and the islands. Eventually, she returned there to stay. The quiet, precise text tells of a person who brought beauty to a barren place, while within the illustrations, hand-lettered lines from Thaxter’s poems and other writings add her voice as well. Sweet’s vivid, beautifully crafted illustrations capture the story’s period setting and quiet, reflective subject. This handsome picture-book biography will resonate with those who love flower gardens and long for the sea. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.