Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 03/01/2023 *Starred Review* Illustrator Sudyka makes her authorial debut in this quietly astounding picture book that speaks to environmental stewardship. “Once there was a little bit of land,” it begins, “ . . . [that was] just big enough for the life that lived upon it.” She then proceeds to sketch a history of this verdant piece of land, taking readers back in geologic time, where different epochs are presented with their respective wildlife—or lack thereof, in the case of the ice age. In one memorable spread, a prehistoric family treads along a riverbank as adorable woolly mammoths wander nearby. Sudyka works wonders in her watercolor gouache artwork, characterized by swirling stars and clouds that pass over folk-style scenes. She also utilizes impactful layouts to reflect the movement of time or events, layering scenes in strips or dramatic wedges. Readers will observe a forest fire and eventually the arrival of city-building humans. Both strain the environment, but it is the latter that causes things to tip dangerously out of balance. Sudyka reminds kids that they can help the land by caring for any patch of nature, big or small—and it will care for them in return. Though fiction, there are abundant facts and science concepts laced throughout this story, which are expanded upon in the back matter. A loving entreaty to embrace the environment through positive action. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 05/26/2023 Gr 1–3—Taking care of our planet is a big concern for kids growing up today, who are often seeing the drastic effects of climate change in their own backyards. This title provides a gentle introduction to how the environment has naturally changed over eons, from dinosaurs to the ice age, with life ultimately finding a balance despite it all. The biggest environmental changes, however, have come with the arrival of humans, who covered the land fairly thoughtlessly until the whole thing tipped out of balance (i.e., climate change). But anyone can make a difference by taking care of the land once more, argues Sudyka. The gouache watercolor illustrations are lovely, with two passages standing out in particular: the images of a small house being overtaken by a city are evocative of Virginia Lee Burton's The Little House, and the spread of the environment literally upside down effectively illustrates the drastic nature of the situation. The final pages include an author's note, definitions, and a few resources for further reading. VERDICT An excellent, effective introduction to why saving the Earth is important.—Kadie Seitz - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.