Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/15/2017 Using a question-and-answer format that employs internal rhymes, Stewart and Jenkins enlighten readers about animal utterances. “Can an aardvark bark? No, but it can grunt,” Stewart informs us. She follows up with a paragraph of supplementary aardvark facts and an additional spread itemizing other grunting animals. Most subsequent Q&As reference previous questions (“Can a seal squeal? No, but it can bark”), excepting the answer for porcupines, who can indeed whine. Jenkins’ signature cut-and-torn-paper-collage illustrations seem to jump off the page. They are at once boldly simple (set against white backgrounds) and amazingly detailed (a result of the varied textures used). Multiple type sizes add to the book’s versatility. Toddlers will enjoy the large-print Q&As, while older children will appreciate the informative paragraphs presented in smaller font. And while there’s much to be gleaned about familiar and esoteric species (who knew a giraffe could bellow?), the final spread, encouraging listeners to let loose their own laughs, grunts, bellows, and growls, provides the perfect excuse for toddler participation. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 05/01/2017 K-Gr 3—Students will be surprised to learn that though an aardvark can't bark, it can grunt. Stewart opens every other spread with a query about what noise an animal might make ("Can a dingo bellow?… No, but it can growl."). After answering, the author organizes groups of creatures that make similar sounds on the following spread, often with surprising results (platypuses will softly growl when disturbed). These groupings are fascinating for their diversity, and noises covered include greetings, sounds made out of fear or to attract food, and mating calls. Jenkins's cut and torn paper illustrations provide not only texture but also an incredible amount of detail. For instance, students can almost count every quill on the African crested porcupine. Overall, the layout is smart, as animal names are in boldface and the communication style (growl, hiss, etc.) is in a larger font size, signaling its importance. VERDICT A terrific title for elementary-age kids to help them draw comparisons between animals and sounds—libraries can't go wrong.—Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.